Claude Kiro: Spec-Driven Development for Claude Code

A unified CLI tool and methodology that brings spec-driven development workflow to Claude Code.

What This Is

Claude Kiro (ck) provides:

• Automated project setup for spec-driven development
• Smart hooks that provide spec context while coding
• Slash commands for structured workflows
• Output styles that enforce disciplined responses

Prompt → Requirements → Design → Tasks → Implementation

Repository Structure

├── VISION.md                    # Project vision and goals
├── synthesis/                   # Implementation guides
│   ├── kiro-to-claude-mapping.md
│   └── phase1-implementation.md
├── research/                    # Feature research from docs
│   ├── claude-code/             # Claude Code capabilities
│   └── kiro/                    # Kiro methodology
└── resources/                   # Scraped documentation
    └── scraped/
        ├── docs.claude.com/     # 255 pages
        └── kiro.dev/            # 89 pages

Quick Start

# Install Claude Kiro globally
uv tool install claude-kiro

# Initialize your project
cd your-project
ck init

# Verify setup
ck doctor

That's it! Your project is now configured for spec-driven development.

Installation

Install Claude Kiro (Global Tool)

# Install from PyPI
uv tool install claude-kiro

# Or install from source in editable mode
git clone https://github.com/angelsen/claude-kiro.git
cd claude-kiro
uv tool install . --editable

This installs the ck command globally, which provides:

• ck init - Set up a project for spec-driven development
• ck doctor - Verify your setup is working
• ck hook - Manage Claude Code hook integration
• ck --hook - Hook runner for Claude Code (hidden command)

Initialize Your Project

cd your-project
ck init

This creates:

• .claude/output-styles/spec-driven.md - Enforces structured responses
• .claude/commands/spec/ - Slash commands for specs
• .claude/settings.local.json - Hook configuration
• .claude/CLAUDE.md - Project context template

What the Hooks Do

The hooks provide intelligent spec context:

• When editing spec files: Shows which task you're implementing
• When editing new files: Suggests creating a spec first
• Smart caching: Shows messages only once per file per session (no spam!)

How It Works

1. Initialize: ck init sets up your project with all necessary files
2. Create specs: /spec:create "feature" - Generate requirements, design, and tasks
3. Implement: /spec:implement task - Execute tasks with full context
4. Track progress: TodoWrite tracks implementation automatically
5. Stay aligned: Hooks provide context and maintain spec-driven discipline

CLI Commands Reference

Main Commands

• ck init [--force] - Initialize a project with spec-driven setup
• ck doctor - Check your Claude Kiro setup health
• ck hook list - Show available hooks
• ck hook status - Display configured hooks
• ck hook test <name> - Test a hook with sample data
• ck hook config - Generate settings.json configuration

Claude Code Slash Commands (Created by ck init)

• /spec:create <feature> - Create a new specification
• /spec:implement <task> - Implement a spec task
• /spec:review <spec> - Review an existing spec

Key Features

• EARS notation for testable requirements: WHEN [condition] THE SYSTEM SHALL [behavior]
• 3-phase workflow with approval gates between phases
• TodoWrite integration for native task tracking
• Smart hook context that tracks what you're working on
• Zero configuration after running ck init

Documentation Sources

All research extracted from local scraped docs:

• Claude Code: 255 pages (docs.claude.com)
• Kiro: 89 pages (kiro.dev)
• Combined: 10 research docs, 2 synthesis guides

Implementation Status

• ✅ CLI tool (ck) - Complete with all commands
• ✅ Hook system - Smart context injection working
• ✅ Slash commands - /spec:create, /spec:implement, /spec:review
• ✅ Output styles - Spec-driven responses enforced
• ✅ Project setup automation - ck init configures everything

Why This Exists

Problem: AI coding is fast but chaotic - implicit assumptions, undocumented requirements, hard to maintain.

Solution: Structured specs before code. Proven by Kiro, implemented in Claude Code.

Result: Production-ready development with AI assistance.

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Built for developers who want structure without sacrificing speed.