What it is
Cursor is the AI-first code editor that took the AI-coding race in 2025–2026. It's a fork of VS Code with the agent built into the editor surface itself: side-by-side diffs, inline edits, and a "Composer" multi-file mode that drives changes across the project from a single prompt. Built by Anysphere, headquartered in San Francisco, and the default IDE for a large slice of the agent-coding economy.
Reach for Cursor when:
- You want the IDE feedback loop — visible diffs, hover tooltips, jump-to-definition while the agent works
- Your team standardizes on VS Code and you want a familiar surface
- You need Composer's "edit-many-files-at-once" mode without scripting it yourself
Why it stands out
| Feature | What it gives you |
|---|---|
| Composer | Multi-file edit driven by a single prompt; review-then-apply |
.mdc rules |
Per-folder, per-language, or always-on rule files in the repo |
| Agent mode | Cursor's autonomous loop — comparable to Claude Code's --continue |
| MCP support | Native Model Context Protocol; same servers as Claude Code |
| Tab autocomplete | Strong inline completion model, especially in TypeScript/Python |
| Privacy mode | Pro plan can flip to "no model training on my code" |
| Free tier | Generous free plan; Pro adds higher quotas and frontier models |
How to install
# macOS / Linux / Windows
# Download from cursor.com/downloads, or:
brew install --cask cursor # macOS
# Then open any project:
cursor .
First run you sign in (Pro / Free) and Cursor scans the project to build context. Add .cursor/rules/*.mdc files to shape behavior per folder.
What to install in Cursor
Three TokRepo packs cover Cursor's "out of the box → production" path:
- Cursor Rules Library — Python, React, Devin-style engineer mode, plus a generator that auto-builds
.mdcfrom your docs - MCP Server Stack — same MCP servers Claude Code users wire up; all work in Cursor natively
- AI Coding Agents Compared — useful if you're still deciding between Cursor and Claude Code
tokrepo install pack/cursor-rules-library
tokrepo install pack/mcp-server-stack
Cursor reads the rules on its next session.
Common pitfalls
.cursorrules(legacy) vs.cursor/rules/*.mdc(current) — old single-file format still works but lacks per-folder scoping. Migrate to.mdcfor non-trivial setups.- Composer goes wide — without rules constraining scope, Composer will edit unrelated files. Always pin scope in your prompt or via the
globsfield of an.mdcrule. - MCP servers need re-add per workspace — Cursor's MCP config is workspace-local by default. Check
~/.cursor/mcp.jsonif a server isn't loading. - Tab autocomplete on big files — context budget hits a ceiling around 4–8k LOC; split very large files for best inline UX.
Most-installed for Cursor
9 assets that work with Cursor
Frequently asked questions
Is Cursor free?
Yes, Cursor has a generous free tier. Pro ($20/mo) adds higher request quotas, access to frontier models (Opus 4.7, GPT-5, etc), and privacy mode. Business plans add SSO and admin controls. Pricing on cursor.com/pricing.
Is Cursor better than Claude Code?
Different shape. Cursor is an IDE with the agent inside; Claude Code is a CLI agent. For tight feedback loops with visible diffs, Cursor wins. For headless tasks, CI runs, and long-running refactors, Claude Code wins. Many engineers use both.
Can I use my VS Code extensions in Cursor?
Yes — Cursor is a VS Code fork and supports the VS Code extension marketplace directly. Most extensions just work; a few that hook deeply into the editor's chat UI conflict and need disabling.
Does Cursor support MCP?
Yes, Cursor has native MCP support since 2025. Configure servers in ~/.cursor/mcp.json or workspace-local equivalent. Most servers built for Claude Code (Postgres MCP, GitHub MCP, Filesystem MCP, etc) work in Cursor without changes.
What's the difference between Cursor rules and Claude Code subagents?
Cursor rules are static instruction files appended to every conversation that matches the rule's globs. Claude Code subagents are full sub-agents with their own system prompts, dispatched by task description. Rules shape behavior; subagents add capability. Cursor doesn't have a subagent equivalent.
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