AWS Startup Advisor
Your AI-powered build assistant on AWS. Guidance for you and your coding agents to build, scale, and migrate. AI, architecture, costs, credits, and security recommendations tailored to your startup’s stack and stage.
Get started at no cost
What is AWS Startup Advisor?
AWS Startup Advisor picks up where your AWS Activate Credit application leaves off. It already knows your stack and your stage, so instead of starting from scratch, you start with context. Combined with expertise from AWS Startup Solutions Architects, you get specific answers built for your startup, from scaling on AWS to migrating from another provider. With proactive notifications to help you throughout your journey.
What you can build in your editor
Get your AWS environment right
Focus on what you want to build. Let Advisor handle IAM, billing alerts, and security baselines.
Deploy local code to AWS
Your code works on your machine. AWS Startup Advisor helps get it running in the cloud, from architecture to permissions.
Scaffold your infrastructure
Share what you're building. Get AWS-vetted infrastructure recommendations right in your editor.
Cut costs before they compound
Get specific cost-saving actions, so you're not spending where you don't need to.
Harden security for your stage
What you need at your first MVP is different from when you're selling to enterprises. AWS Startup Advisor knows the difference.
Build or migrate production-grade AI agents
Start with an idea or existing code. AWS Startup Advisor recommends the right architecture at every layer across ECS/EKS, Lambda, and AgentCore.
Installation
Cursor
Run this command in your terminal:
cursor --install-extension amazonwebservices.aws-startup-advisorRequirements
Requires Cursor.
Terminal command requires the "cursor" command on your PATH (in Cursor: Command Palette → "Install ‘cursor’ command in PATH"). No terminal? Use the manual step below.
Or in Cursor: open Extensions (⌘⇧X), search "AWS Startup Advisor", and click Install.
VS Code
Run this command in your terminal:
code --install-extension AmazonWebServices.aws-startup-advisorRequirements
Requires VS Code.
Terminal command requires the "code" command on your PATH (in VS Code: Command Palette → "Shell Command: Install ‘code’ command in PATH").
Kiro
Run this command in your terminal:
kiro --install-extension amazonwebservices.aws-startup-advisorRequirements
Requires Kiro.
Terminal command requires the "kiro" command on your PATH (in Kiro: Command Palette → "Install ‘kiro’ command in PATH").
Web
No install. Answer a few questions on the AWS Startups website and AWS Startup Advisor picks up your stack and stage straight from your application.
FAQs
What is AWS Startup Advisor?
AWS Startup Advisor is your AI-powered build assistant, available as an extension for Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, and Kiro or as a standalone experience on the web. It gives you and your coding agents tailored guidance on AI, architecture, costs, credits, security, and migration, matched to your startup's stack and stage. Whether you're starting from an idea or moving an existing app to AWS, it meets you where you build and adapts its recommendations as your startup grows. AWS Startup Advisor doesn't store your code or share your data with third parties.
How does it work?
AWS Startup Advisor picks up where your AWS Activate Credit application leaves off. It uses your application data and your startup’s website to understand your stack and stage. From there, it delivers guidance through a skills-based experience: scaffold an architecture, optimize costs, set up your environment, migrate to AWS, or deploy an AI agent. Each step is shaped by what you’re actually building.
How much does it cost?
AWS Startup Advisor is available at no additional charge. You pay only for the AWS resources you or your agent provisions or interacts with, at standard AWS pricing.
Where can I access it?
You can access the AWS Startup Advisor Claude Code plugin from the Claude Plugin Marketplace. You can access the AWS Startup Advisor IDE extension for Cursor, VS Code, Kiro, and more by installing it from the Open VSX Marketplace or the VS Code Marketplace. You can access AWS Startup Advisor on the web at https://usvm.9mmj.com/startups/join.
These all deliver the same curated skills and recommendations. Use whichever fits your workflow. To see what’s included, browse the skills in the AWS Labs repository on GitHub.
What of my data does it access?
AWS Startup Advisor uses (1) the information you provide in your AWS Activate Credit application and (2) your startup’s website. This data is used solely to tailor your experience. AWS Startup Advisor does not store your source code and does not share your data with third parties.
Can I use it if I'm already building on AWS?
Yes. Cost optimization, security hardening, and architecture skills are designed for startups at any stage, whether you’re deploying your first service or running production infrastructure.
Does it include proactive alerts?
Yes. The Alerts tab in the IDE extension surfaces optimization opportunities and recommended actions. It uses your AWS profile permissions to monitor configured resources and proactively flag what to fix, so you stay ahead of issues.
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