How MilkStraw AI works

Intro to MilkStraw AI#

MilkStraw AI is designed to make savings on AWS simple, flexible, and risk-free. We continuously monitor your cloud usage, suggest savings, and apply discounts only when you approve.

No lock-in, no downtime, and no access to your code.

With MilkStraw AI you get the discounts of long-term Savings Plans and Reserved Instances, but you’re never locked in.

How it works#

What MilkStraw AI monitors#

MilkStraw AI uses a least-privilege cross-account IAM role to read your AWS usage and cost data. This data includes your instances, services, savings coverage, on-demand spend, and contracts.

  • Every hour, MilkStraw AI scans your usage and your contracts.
  • Every day, MilkStraw AI refreshes your cost data.

What MilkStraw AI looks for#

MilkStraw AI looks for three types of savings:

  • Uncovered on-demand usage: If Fluid savings can cover your on-demand usage, the Overview page shows a Savings plans card.
  • Underutilized savings: If a MilkBox in your organization is underutilized, we mark it for removal.
  • Waste: The project board on the Overview page lists tasks that cut waste. Examples of waste are idle resources and outdated instance types.

How MilkStraw AI applies savings#

You activate the savings#

A member with the Engineer, Admin, or Owner role clicks Activate on the Overview page. A payment method is required. See Activate and track savings.

We apply the savings#

Our team transfers MilkBoxes into your AWS Organization. This transfer usually takes 48 hours to a week.

We keep your savings matched to your usage#

When your usage decreases, our team removes underutilized MilkBoxes. This adjustment prevents waste and removes the commitment risk from you.

Key benefits#

  • Cost Savings: Enjoy committed-use discounts without the long-term commitment.
  • Flexibility: Scale resources up or down freely. Savings adjust automatically.
  • No Downtime: Integration and transfer of MilkBoxes happen seamlessly, so your applications and services keep running without interruption.
  • Limited Access: We read your billing data, usage metrics, and resource metadata, such as instance types and tags. We never read the contents of your files, databases, or logs. See Permissions for details.

Next steps#

  1. Connect to AWS ↗ – Set up secure, least-privilege access.
  2. Activate Savings ↗ – Review your savings plans and apply discounts with a single click.
  3. Work on Findings ↗ – Cut waste with the tasks on your project board.

FAQs & Support#

Have questions? Check our FAQ ↗ or contact support ↗.

MilkStraw AI is built to help you spend less and build more. Let’s get started!