Kiro AI IDE facilitates repeatable PHP-to-Java application migrations

Repeatable Migration Process

Migrating mature PHP applications to Java can be complex due to embedded business rules in various PHP frameworks. A new methodology aims to make this process repeatable and measurable using Kiro, an AI integrated development environment (IDE). This approach focuses on creating a structurally similar Java port that maintains the original application's behavior.

Kiro AI IDE and Engine

Kiro pairs an AI agent with a codebase to execute multi-step engineering tasks. The migration engine consists of a shared methodology, a mechanical discovery scanner, and an eight-phase workflow. This engine uses the original PHP application as the specification and validates the Java port for functional parity.

Prerequisites and Knowledge

Users need familiarity with PHP frameworks like Laravel/Eloquent or Symfony/Doctrine. While Java knowledge (Spring Boot, JPA) is helpful for reviewing output, the engine generates idiomatic Java. Required tools include PHP 8.0+, Java 21 with Maven, and a Kiro workspace with access to Skills and Steering files. A basic understanding of migration planning (discovery, translation, validation) is also necessary.

Flexible Execution Methods

The migration methodology and discovery scanner workflow are encoded as versioned Markdown capability packages, called skill files. This allows the same methodology to be run in multiple ways. One method involves using Kiro interactively, where the AI agent guides the migration step by step within the editor.