Kiro CLI

Kiro CLI is a command-line tool powered by a generative AI assistant. You can use it to ask questions about AWS architecture, resources, and general development tasks.

It supports multiple operating systems, including Arm-based Linux distributions and macOS, and you can install it in several ways.

What should I do before installing Kiro CLI?

You need a Builder ID to use Kiro CLI. If you don’t have one, visit Do more with AWS Builder ID and select Sign up with Builder ID to create your AWS Builder ID.

This guide explains how to install Kiro CLI on macOS and Arm Linux.

How do I download and install Kiro CLI?

The CLI is invoked using the kiro-cli command.

The easiest way to install Kiro CLI on Linux and macOS is with a single command:

    

        
        
curl -fsSL https://cli.kiro.dev/install | bash

    

Can I use Homebrew to install Kiro CLI on macOS?

Yes, you can install Homebrew if it’s not already available on your computer.

Install Kiro CLI using Homebrew:

    

        
        
brew install kiro-cli

    

Can I install Kiro CLI on Arm Linux by downloading a ZIP file?

Yes, you can download and install Kiro CLI on any Arm Linux distribution using the installer.

Before starting, ensure that curl and unzip are available on your computer.

    

        
        
sudo apt update
sudo apt install curl unzip -y

    

Download the ZIP file with curl:

    

        
        
curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf 'https://desktop-release.q.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/latest/kirocli-aarch64-linux.zip' -o 'kirocli.zip'

    

Extract the installer and run it:

    

        
        
unzip kirocli.zip
bash ./kirocli/install.sh

    

The installer prompts you about updating your shell configuration:

    

        
        ✔ Do you want kiro to modify your shell config (you will have to manually do this otherwise)? 

        
    

To automate the install, add the --no-confirm flag to the install.sh command.

    

        
        
curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf 'https://desktop-release.q.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/latest/kirocli-aarch64-linux-musl.zip' -o 'kirocli.zip'

    

How do I confirm Kiro CLI is working?

You now have the latest version of Kiro CLI installed.

Confirm the CLI is available by printing the version:

    

        
        
kiro-cli version

    

The output shows the version:

    

        
        kiro-cli 1.20.0

        
    

How can I configure my AWS account to get the most from Kiro CLI?

Kiro CLI can answer questions and solve problems related to your AWS resources and help you develop faster on AWS. To get the maximum benefit, you can configure the AWS CLI to use your account.

Follow the AWS CLI Install Guide and the AWS Credentials Install Guide to set up the AWS CLI and generate and configure access keys.

This allows you to use Kiro CLI to ask questions and solve issues specific to your AWS account.

For example, you can ask for the IP address of an EC2 instance instead of going to the AWS console or looking up the AWS CLI command to get it.

Kiro accesses your AWS resources and prints the information you ask for.

How can I set the Kiro CLI context to tailor responses?

Kiro CLI can read your context. If you provide more information about yourself, you get tailored responses that match your development environment.

There are multiple options to store context.

Use the /context command to see the possible locations to store your context.

    

        
        
/context show

    

The help information is printed.

    

        
        
Agent (kiro_default)
  - AmazonQ.md (no matches)
  - AGENTS.md (no matches)
  - README.md (no matches)

Session (temporary)
  <none>

No files in the current directory matched the rules above.

        
    

For example, you can create a new file to store your context as shown below:

    

        
        
echo "I am an Arm Linux developer. I prefer Ubuntu and other Debian based distributions. I don't use any x86 computers so please provide all information assuming I'm working on Arm Linux. Sometimes I use macOS and Windows on Arm, but please only provide information about these operating systems when I ask for it." > ~/.kiro/context.md

    

When you invoke kiro-cli chat, you can confirm your context information was read by loading it and asking about it.

Load the context file:

    

        
        
/context add ~/.kiro/context.md

    

Confirm it was read:

    

        
        
did you read my context information?

    

The response confirms the context file was read:

    

        
        Yes, I read your context information. You're an Arm Linux developer who prefers Ubuntu and other Debian-based
distributions, and you don't use x86 computers. You also sometimes use macOS and Windows on Arm, but only want
information about those when you specifically ask for them.

        
    

Ask questions like “How do I install the AWS CLI?” to verify that the answers match the provided context.

How do I change the model Kiro uses?

When you start kiro-cli chat, the model is printed:

    

        
        Model: Auto (/model to change)

        
    

Use the /model command to list other available models:

    

        
        
/model

    

The model options are displayed:

    

        
         Press (↑↓) to navigate · Enter(⏎) to select model
❯ Auto (current) | 1x credit | Models chosen by task for optimal usage and consistent quality
  claude-sonnet-4.5 | 1.3x credit | The latest Claude Sonnet model
  claude-sonnet-4 | 1.3x credit | Hybrid reasoning and coding for regular use
  claude-haiku-4.5 | 0.4x credit | The latest Claude Haiku model

        
    

Use the arrow keys to select the model you want to use.

You can ask Kiro to set the default model for future sessions.

Install an MCP server

As an example of using MCP with Kiro, you can configure a local GitHub MCP server.

Go to your GitHub account developer settings and create a personal access token with the following permissions:

• repo (Full control of private repositories)
• read:org (Read organization membership)
• read:user (Read user profile data)

Use an editor to add the content below to the file $HOME/.kiro/settings/mcp.json:

    

        
        
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-e",
        "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN",
        "ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "<your-github-pat>"
      },
      "disabled": false,
      "autoApprove": []
    }
  }
}

    

Replace <your-github-pat> with your GitHub personal access token.

You also need Docker running on the system. See the Docker install guide for instructions.

Restart kiro-cli with the new MCP configuration:

    

        
        
kiro-cli chat

    

The output shows the GitHub MCP server loaded and running:

    

        
        ✓ github loaded in 0.16 s
✓ 1 of 1 mcp servers initialized.

        
    

You can now use the GitHub MCP server to interact with GitHub repositories and do things like:

Repository Management

• Create new repositories
• Fork existing repositories
• List branches and tags
• Create new branches

Code Management

• Get file contents from repositories
• Create or update files
• Delete files
• Push multiple files in a single commit
• Search code across repositories

Pull Requests

• Create pull requests
• List pull requests
• Get pull request details
• Update pull requests
• Merge pull requests
• Review pull requests
• Request GitHub Copilot reviews
• Get pull request files and comments

Issues

• Create issues
• List issues
• Get issue details
• Update issues
• Add comments to issues
• Search issues

Commits

• List commits
• Get commit details

You’re ready to use Kiro CLI.