Cursor

Cursor is an AI-powered code editor that integrates directly into the development environment, offering real-time code suggestions and completions. It uses advanced language models to understand context and assist with complex coding tasks, making development faster and more intuitive.

What is Cursor? +

Cursor is an AI-powered code editor built on top of Visual Studio Code. It integrates large language models to help developers write, edit, and debug code more efficiently.

How does Cursor differ from regular VS Code? +

Cursor extends VS Code with native AI features like inline code generation, smart autocomplete, and chat-based assistance. It retains full compatibility with VS Code extensions and settings, making it a drop-in replacement.

What AI models does Cursor support? +

Cursor supports multiple models including GPT-4, Claude, and its own custom models. You can switch between models in the settings to choose the one that best fits your needs.

Is Cursor free to use? +

Cursor offers a free tier with limited AI requests per month. Paid plans provide higher usage limits and access to more advanced models.

Can I use my existing VS Code extensions in Cursor? +

Yes, Cursor is fully compatible with VS Code extensions. You can install and use any extension from the VS Code marketplace directly in Cursor.

How does the AI code generation feature work? +

You can ask Cursor to generate code by typing a natural language prompt in the chat panel or inline. The AI then produces code that you can accept, edit, or refine with follow-up instructions.

Does Cursor support multiple programming languages? +

Yes, Cursor supports all major programming languages including Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, C++, and many more. The AI adapts its suggestions based on the language and context of your code.

How do I install Cursor on my computer? +

You can download Cursor from the official website (cursor.com) for Windows, macOS, or Linux. The installation process is similar to installing VS Code.

Can I use Cursor for team collaboration? +

Cursor is primarily designed for individual use, but you can share your settings and keybindings via configuration files. Team features like shared AI prompts are not yet available.

Is my code private when using Cursor? +

Cursor respects your privacy and offers options to disable telemetry. Code sent to AI models is processed according to Cursor's privacy policy, and you can opt out of data collection in the settings.

Cursor video tutorial

How to Get Started with Cursor

  1. 1

    Download and install Cursor

    Visit the official Cursor website and download the installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

  2. 2

    Open Cursor and set up your workspace

    Launch Cursor from your applications menu. You'll be prompted to open a folder or create a new project—choose an existing project folder or create a new one to start working.

  3. 3

    Sign in or create an account

    Click the user icon in the top-right corner and sign in with your existing account or create a new one. An account is required to access AI features and sync settings.

  4. 4

    Explore the interface

    Familiarize yourself with the editor layout: the sidebar for file navigation, the main editing area, and the terminal at the bottom. You can customize the theme and keybindings in the settings.

  5. 5

    Enable AI features

    Press Ctrl+K (or Cmd+K on Mac) to open the AI command palette, or use Ctrl+L to open the chat panel. These shortcuts let you ask questions, generate code, or refactor with AI assistance.

  6. 6

    Write or open a code file

    Create a new file by clicking the 'New File' icon in the sidebar, or open an existing file from your project. Start typing code—Cursor provides intelligent autocompletions and suggestions.

  7. 7

    Use AI to edit and debug

    Highlight a block of code and press Ctrl+K to ask the AI to modify it, or type a question in the chat panel to debug errors. Experiment with commands like 'explain this code' or 'optimize performance' to learn more.