Cursor
AI-first code editor built on VS Code with codebase chat and multi-file edits.
What is Cursor?
Cursor is an AI-native code editor forked from VS Code, designed from the ground up for AI-assisted development. Unlike GitHub Copilot which is a plugin, Cursor is a complete editor where AI is deeply integrated at every level. Its standout feature is Composer — a multi-file editing mode where you describe a feature in natural language and Cursor plans and implements changes across your entire codebase. Cursor Chat lets you ask questions about any file or function with full codebase context. It supports all VS Code extensions and settings, making migration seamless.
Use Cases
- Building entire features from natural language descriptions
- Refactoring large codebases with AI guidance
- Understanding unfamiliar codebases quickly
- Generating and running tests automatically
- Pair programming with AI on complex problems
Key Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Most powerful AI coding experience available
- Multi-file edits that understand full context
- Familiar VS Code interface — zero learning curve
- Generous free tier with 2000 completions/mo
Cons
- Pro plan needed for heavy usage
- Occasional hallucinations in complex codebases
- Heavier than a simple plugin like Copilot
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cursor free?
Yes. The free tier includes 2000 code completions and 50 slow premium requests per month. Pro at $20/mo gives unlimited completions and 500 fast premium requests.
Can I use my VS Code settings in Cursor?
Yes. Cursor is built on VS Code and imports all your extensions, themes, and keybindings automatically.
What AI models does Cursor use?
Cursor supports GPT-4o, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, and cursor-small (their own model). You can choose per-request.
