Kiro for Claude Code

This VSCode extension streamlines spec-driven development by integrating deeply with Claude Code, enabling users to visually manage specifications and steering documents. It automates the generation of requirements, design, and task documents using AI, targeting developers who want to enhance their AI-assisted software development workflows. The key benefit is an improved Claude Code experience through parallel processing capabilities via specialized "Sub Agents" and centralized management of AI-generated project assets.

How It Works

Kiro for Claude Code acts as a VSCode interface for Claude Code, facilitating a spec-driven development lifecycle. It allows users to initiate a spec workflow—Requirements → Design → Tasks—with review stages, all managed visually within the extension's sidebar. A significant enhancement is the "Sub Agent" feature, which delegates spec phases to specialized agents that can process them in parallel, leveraging dedicated context windows for improved efficiency. The extension also provides robust management for agents, steering documents, and other Claude Code configurations.

Quick Start & Requirements

Installation is straightforward via the VSCode Extension Marketplace (search "Kiro for Claude Code"), command line (code --install-extension heisebaiyun.kiro-for-cc), or by installing a VSIX file downloaded from GitHub Releases. Essential prerequisites include a functional Claude Code installation and configuration. For development purposes, Node.js 16+ and TypeScript 5.3.0+ are required. The extension is fully supported on macOS, Linux, and Windows (WSL). However, native Windows command-line environments such as CMD, PowerShell, and MinTTY Git Bash are explicitly not supported.

Highlighted Details

• SPEC Management: Visually create, browse, and manage requirements, design, and task documents directly within the VSCode sidebar.
• Sub Agent Support: Introduces parallel processing for spec phases (requirements, design, tasks) using specialized agents, enhancing workflow speed and organization.
• Steering Management: Facilitates browsing and editing of global and project-specific AI guidance documents (CLAUDE.md) and generated project documentation (product, tech, structure).
• Agent Management: Offers tools to view, manage, and configure Claude Code agents, including pre-built spec workflow agents, through an intuitive Agent Explorer.

Maintenance & Community

No specific details regarding active maintainers, community support channels (e.g., Discord, Slack), or project sponsorships were identified in the provided README content.

Licensing & Compatibility

The project is distributed under the permissive MIT License. This license generally allows for broad usage, including commercial applications and integration into closed-source software without significant restrictions.

Limitations & Caveats

Native Windows command-line environments (CMD, PowerShell, MinTTY Git Bash) are explicitly unsupported. Users employing the new Sub Agent feature may encounter extended execution times due to a known bug. The extension's core functionality is contingent upon a correctly installed and configured Claude Code environment.