Cursor IDE: The AI-First Code Editor

Cursor IDE: Complete Guide to the AI-First Code Editor

Cursor is a code editor built from the ground up around AI, offering capabilities that go far beyond what plugins can achieve. Here's everything you need to know.

What is Cursor?

Cursor is a fork of VS Code rebuilt around AI:

• Same familiar interface as VS Code
• Most VS Code extensions work
• Deep AI integration at every level
• Chat, edit, and generate with context

Key Features

Tab Completion AI-powered autocomplete that predicts your next edit.

Features:

• Multi-line suggestions
• Context-aware predictions
• Learns your codebase style
• Fast and unobtrusive

Usage:

• Just type and Tab to accept
• Partial accept with Ctrl+Right Arrow
• Escape to dismiss

Chat (Cmd/Ctrl + L) Conversational AI with full codebase context.

Features:

• Ask questions about code
• Get explanations
• Request implementations
• Debug assistance

Context Options:

• @codebase - Search entire project
• @file - Reference specific files
• @folder - Reference directories
• @docs - Reference documentation
• @web - Search the internet

Composer (Cmd/Ctrl + I) Multi-file editing with AI.

Features:

• Edit multiple files simultaneously
• Create new files
• Refactor across codebase
• Implement features end-to-end

When to Use:

• New feature implementation
• Large refactoring
• Creating boilerplate
• Multi-file changes

Inline Edit (Cmd/Ctrl + K) Edit code in place with natural language.

Features:

• Select code and describe changes
• AI applies edits directly
• Quick fixes and refactors
• Documentation generation

Examples:

• "Add error handling"
• "Convert to async/await"
• "Add TypeScript types"
• "Write tests for this function"

Setup and Configuration

Installation:

• Download from cursor.sh
• Install like any application
• Import VS Code settings (optional)
• Sign in for AI features

Importing from VS Code:

• Extensions: Most work automatically
• Settings: Import via command palette
• Keybindings: Usually transfer
• Themes: Work seamlessly

API Key Options:

• Use Cursor's built-in API (subscription)
• Bring your own OpenAI key
• Bring your own Anthropic key

Pricing

Free Tier:

• 2,000 completions/month
• 50 slow premium requests/month
• Basic features

Pro ($20/month):

• Unlimited completions
• 500 fast premium requests/month
• Unlimited slow requests
• Claude and GPT-4 access

Business ($40/user/month):

• Everything in Pro
• Admin controls
• Centralized billing
• Privacy mode

Best Practices

1. Effective Prompting

Good:

• "Add input validation to this function that checks for null values and empty strings"

Better:

• "Add input validation:
- Check for null/undefined - Validate string length > 0 - Throw descriptive errors"

2. Using Context

@codebase for:

• "Where is authentication handled?"
• "How do we connect to the database?"
• "Find all API endpoints"

@file for:

• Specific implementation questions
• Related file references
• Documentation needs

3. Multi-File Editing

Composer excels at:

• Creating components with tests
• Adding features across layers
• Refactoring patterns
• Generating boilerplate

4. Code Review with AI

Ask Cursor to:

• Review for bugs
• Check security issues
• Suggest improvements
• Explain complex code

Cursor vs GitHub Copilot

| Feature | Cursor | Copilot | |---------|--------|---------| | Chat | Built-in, contextual | Copilot Chat | | Multi-file edit | Composer | Limited | | Codebase search | @codebase | Limited | | IDE | Dedicated app | Plugin | | Custom docs | @docs | No | | Models | GPT-4, Claude | GPT-4 |

Choose Cursor if:

• You want deep AI integration
• Multi-file editing is important
• You use Claude
• You're comfortable switching IDE

Choose Copilot if:

• You prefer staying in VS Code/JetBrains
• You want simpler setup
• Inline completion is enough
• Team already uses it

Tips and Tricks

1. Use .cursorrules Create a .cursorrules file in project root:

Use TypeScript strict mode
Prefer functional components
Always add error handling
Follow existing code patterns

2. Index Documentation Settings → Features → Docs Add relevant documentation URLs for @docs context

3. Keyboard Shortcuts

• Cmd/Ctrl + L: Open chat
• Cmd/Ctrl + I: Composer
• Cmd/Ctrl + K: Inline edit
• Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + L: Add to chat
• Tab: Accept completion

4. Privacy Mode Settings → Privacy Enable to prevent code from being stored

5. Custom Models Settings → Models Add your own API keys for more control

Common Workflows

Bug Fixing:

• Select problematic code
• Cmd+L to chat
• Describe the bug
• Review and apply fix

Feature Implementation:

• Cmd+I for Composer
• Describe the feature fully
• Review proposed changes
• Accept or refine

Code Understanding:

• Select unfamiliar code
• Cmd+L to chat
• "Explain this code"
• Ask follow-up questions

Refactoring:

• Select code to refactor
• Cmd+K for inline edit
• Describe desired changes
• Review and accept

Limitations

• Some VS Code extensions incompatible
• Occasional AI mistakes
• Requires internet for AI features
• Learning curve for advanced features

Getting Started

Day 1:

• Install and import settings
• Try Tab completions
• Use Chat for questions

Week 1:

• Learn @context commands
• Try Composer for multi-file
• Customize with .cursorrules

Week 2+:

• Add custom docs
• Optimize workflows
• Explore advanced features

Cursor represents the future of coding—where AI is a true pair programming partner, not just an autocomplete tool.