A new agentic Integrated Development Environment (IDE) called Kiro has been released by Amazon Web Services (AWS) to support developers from prototype to production.
For those who are unaware, an IDE is a programme that combines code editors, debuggers, and compilers—among other software development tools—into a single user interface. By providing engineers with a comfortable workspace, IDEs fundamentally expedite the software development process.
Kiro aligns with the larger mission of AWS, which has been developing tools to facilitate software deployment for developers. With discussions about the needs in terms of designs and specs, developers may move quickly from concept to prototype with AWS’s new solution.
AWS executives Nikhil Swaminathan and Deepak Singh said in a blog post on July 15 that the team is thrilled to present Kiro, an AI IDE that streamlines the developer experience for working with AI agents and helps users deliver from concept to production.
Though it excels at “vibe coding,” Kiro’s strength lies in integrating such prototypes into production systems with features like hooks and specs.
Why Kiro is Released Before AWS Summit 2025?
The IDE was released in advance of the AWS Summit 2025 in New York, United States, and it is anticipated that it will introduce advancements in AI agents. With Kiro, AWS hopes to establish itself in the quickly expanding AI coding tool sector, which is populated by firms like Windsurf and Cursor.
The release of Kiro coincides with the current trend of “vibe coding.” It is the process of creating apps utilising natural language cues. As more and more developers use tools that can use functional code to respond to natural language directions, vibe-coding has become more popular.
However, because of the lack of accuracy and potential for hallucinations, this phenomenon has also made some businesses hesitant to include AI coding tools in processes.
According to reports, Kiro is tackling the problem of AI-generated code lacking structure by using a technique called “spec coding,” which was developed by AWS and preserves both the enterprise-desired precision and the intuitive character of AI-assisted programming.
Features of Kiro
AWS claims that Kiro, which excels at vibe-coding, goes over and above with capabilities like hooks and standards. When a developer requires the necessary components to start production, specs are useful artefacts in Kiro.
In contrast, Kiro hooks do boilerplate operations in the background or catch problems that a novice developer would overlook. Model Context Control (MCP) support for connecting specialist tools, rules to direct AI behaviour across projects, and agentic chat for ad hoc coding activities with file, URL, and Doc context providers are just a few of the features that Kiro basically offers.
The site also mentioned that as Kiro is based on Code OSS, you can use our IDE while maintaining your VS Code preferences and opening VSX-compatible plugins. You get the basics required for production together with the entire AI coding experience.
We know it – artificial intelligence is going bonkers and software development or coding in general has been a witness of the same. AI-powered coding tools are causing a revolution in software development, offering developers a wide array of options to enhance their productivity and code quality. From GitHub Copilot’s context-aware suggestions to Replit’s robust security analysis, these tools are transforming the way we approach coding tasks. They’re not stopping at making our lives easier – they’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in software development, allowing us to focus more on problem-solving and innovation.
In this article, let’s have a look at some of the best AI tools for developers in 2024.
We’ve been using GitHub Copilot, and it’s truly revolutionising the way we code. This AI-powered coding assistant, developed by GitHub and OpenAI, this one is like having a virtual pair programmer by your side. It’s designed to make the development process smoother and faster, helping us focus on problem-solving rather than getting bogged down in repetitive tasks.
Copilot code suggestions
What we love most about Copilot is its ability to offer context-aware code suggestions. As you type, it provides auto-complete style recommendations, sometimes even suggesting entire blocks of code. It’s not just limited to a single language either; we’ve found it works brilliantly with Java, Python, JavaScript, and many others. The AI seems to understand the nuances of different programming languages and coding styles, adapting its suggestions to fit my project’s context.
Copilot IDE integration
Copilot integrates seamlessly with popular IDEs like Visual Studio Code, JetBrains, and Neovim. In VS Code, you can easily enable or disable Copilot globally or for specific languages. The integration is so smooth that it feels like a natural extension of one’s coding environment. We’ve noticed that having related files open in our editor helps Copilot understand the bigger picture of the project, leading to more relevant suggestions.
OpenAI Codex is a powerful AI model that’s changing the game for software developers. As a descendant of GPT-3, Codex has been fine-tuned specifically for coding tasks, making it a go-to tool for developers looking to boost their productivity.
Language understanding
What sets Codex apart is its impressive ability to understand and generate code in over a dozen programming languages. We’ve found it particularly adept at Python, but it’s also proficient in JavaScript, Go, PHP, Ruby, and many others. This versatility means we can use it across various projects without missing a beat.
Code generation
The real magic happens when you start using Codex for code generation. You simply type a comment describing what you need, like “compute the moving average of an array for a given window size,” and Codex suggests a block of code that does just that. It’s not just about writing code from scratch – rather, Codex also helps with completing functions, finding useful libraries, and even rewriting code for efficiency.
Codex availability
While Codex was initially available through a private beta, it’s worth noting that the AI coding tools are constantly evolving. Currently, developers are encouraged to use GPT-3.5 Turbo or GPT-4, which offer similar capabilities for code generation and understanding. These models continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in AI-assisted software development, making coding more accessible and efficient than ever before.
Amazon CodeWhisperer – Best AI tools for developers
Devs have been using Amazon CodeWhisperer, and it’s quickly becoming one of the best AI tools for coding. This cloud-based coding assistant is a game-changer for software development, especially when working with AWS services.
CodeWhisperer AI assistance
What we love about CodeWhisperer is its ability to provide real-time, context-aware code suggestions. As one types, it offers everything from single-line completions to entire functions. More like having a coding genius by your side, helping you write cleaner, more efficient code. The AI understands one’s coding style and adapts its suggestions accordingly, making it feel like a natural extension of an individual’s thought process.
AWS integration
CodeWhisperer really shines when it comes to AWS integration. It’s optimised for AWS services and APIs, making it a must-have tool for cloud development. Whether you are working on Lambda functions, setting up EC2 instances, or configuring S3 buckets, CodeWhisperer offers tailored suggestions that align with AWS best practises. This deep integration has significantly sped up my development process and improved the quality of my AWS-based projects.
Plan
Pricing
Individual tier
$0/Month
Pieces for Developers
Website
www.pieces.app
Rating
4.5
Free Trial
Yes
Platforms Supported
Web, IOS/Android
Pieces – Best AI tools for developers
Pieces has quickly become a dev’s favourite. This powerful AI assistant is changing the game for software development, offering impressive features that boost productivity and streamline the coding process.
Pieces AI-powered features
What devs love about Pieces is its ability to provide context-aware code suggestions. It offers everything from single-line completions to entire functions. The AI understands the coding style and adapts its suggestions accordingly, making it feel like you more than you (winks).
Pieces workflow integration
Pieces really aces when it comes to workflow integration. It’s designed to work seamlessly across various development tools, including IDEs, browsers, and collaboration platforms. This deep integration has significantly sped up the development process and improved the quality of my projects. Devs can easily save and retrieve code snippets, share resources with team, and access AI-powered assistance without ever leaving their workflow.
GPT-4 understands complex programming queries and assist in developing, debugging, and optimising code.
GPT-4 multimodal features
GPT-4 hits it out of the park with its multimodal functionality. It can interpret and generate responses based on both text and visual inputs, which is a game-changer for AI in software development. You can now analyse images, understand their content and context, and produce meaningful output. This has significantly sped up development process and improved the quality of one’s projects.
Plan
Pricing
gpt-4
Input
$30 Per 1,000,000 tokens
Output
$60 Per 1,000,000 tokens
gpt-4-32k
Input
$60 Per 1,000,000 tokens
Output
$120 Per 1,000,000 tokens
Replit Ghostwriter
Website
www.replit.com
Rating
4.4
Free Trial
Yes
Platforms Supported
Web
Replit Ghostwriter – Best AI tools for developers
Replit is a winner when it comes to context-aware code suggestions. It offers everything from single-line completions to entire functions.
Ghostwriter supported languages
Ghostwriter supports a wide range of programming languages, which is fantastic for versatile developers. We’ve found it particularly useful with JavaScript and Python, but it also works brilliantly with C, Java, Perl, Ruby, HTML, CSS, and SQL. This broad language support means we can use Ghostwriter across various projects without missing a beat.
Plan
Pricing
Starter
$0/Month
Replit Core
$15/Month
Teams
Annual pricing coming soon
Enterprise
Custom
Cursor
Website
www.cursor.com
Rating
4
Free Trial
Yes
Platforms Supported
Web
Cursor – Best AI tools for developers
This AI-powered editor, built on VS Code, offers intelligent code suggestions that boost productivity. As I type, Cursor predicts multi-line edits and adapts to recent changes, making coding faster and more efficient.
Cursor code understanding
What sets Cursor apart is its ability to comprehend my entire codebase. I can query it about specific code blocks or files, and it provides relevant answers. This feature is invaluable when working on larger projects, as it helps me navigate complex codebases with ease.
Plan
Pricing
Hobby
$0/Month
Pro
$20/Month
Business
$40/Month
End Note
As we continue to explore and tap the potential of AI in coding, it’s clear that these tools will play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of software development. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, there’s never been a better time to dive into the world of AI-assisted coding. To stay updated on the latest developments in this exciting field, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for more insightful content. Remember, the key is to find the tools that best fit your workflow and help you write better, cleaner code. So, what’s stopping you?
Keep Building, Keep Talkying!
FAQ
Which AI tools are the best for developers?
Some of the best AI tools for developers are:
GitHub Copilot
OpenAI Codex
Amazon CodeWhisperer
Pieces for Developers
GPT-4
Replit Ghostwriter
Cursor
Will AI replace programmers?
AI won’t replace programmers entirely but will automate routine tasks, allowing them to focus on more complex work.
How do developers use AI?
Developers use AI to automate coding tasks, enhance debugging, and optimize testing. AI tools help analyze code, suggest improvements, and personalize user experiences.
