AWS Startup Advisor
Your AI-powered build assistant on AWS. Guidance for architecture, costs, security, and scalability, built for your startup.
Start building with AWS Startup Advisor
AWS Startup Advisor is available on the web and in your IDE. Answer a few questions to get personalized recommendations, or install the extension and get context-aware recommendations in minutes.
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Same skills and same context. Pick your entry point.
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.
FAQs
What is AWS Startup Advisor?
An AI-powered build assistant that helps startups optimize architecture, costs, security, and scalability on AWS. It delivers SA-curated expertise through your IDE or on the web, using your startup's context so you're never starting from scratch — whether you're building natively on AWS or migrating to AWS.
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 shaped by what you're actually building.
How much does it cost?
There is no charge to use AWS Startup Advisor itself. Generating recommendations, invoking skills, and getting guidance are all included as part of the AWS Activate experience. If you choose to deploy the resources AWS Startup Advisor recommends, standard AWS service pricing applies.
Where can I access it?
On the web at https://aws.amazon.com/startups/join, as an IDE extension for Kiro, VS Code, and Cursor via VS Marketplace or Open VSX Registry, and and as a plugin for Claude Code via https://claude.com/plugins/aws-startup-advisor. These all deliver the same curated skills and recommendations. Use whichever fits your workflow.
What of my data does it access?
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. 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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