A Fork of Familiar Roots

One of the first surprises upon exploring Cursor is learning that it’s a fork of Visual Studio Code (VS Code). For anyone accustomed to the versatility and popularity of VS Code, this foundation lends Cursor an immediate sense of familiarity. However, Cursor distinguishes itself by integrating powerful AI capabilities directly into the development environment.

What Is Cursor?

Cursor is a code editor designed to enhance productivity by incorporating AI assistance. It offers two primary modes:

1. Chat Mode – Facilitates interactive conversations with an AI agent for quick assistance.
2. Compose Mode – Focuses on implementing changes, spanning multiple files, and performing complex operations like package installations or file creation.

There’s also a Bug Finder mode, which I have not yet explored. Cursor’s official website provides more insights: https://www.cursor.com.

AI Models Under the Hood

By default, Cursor employs the Claude 3.5 model, but it also offers access to various ChatGPT models. Different subscription levels determine model accessibility:

• Free Tier: Slower AI response times for “pro” requests
• Pro Tier: Faster completions and advanced features
• Business Tier: Enhanced privacy options and centralized billing for teams

Why Choose Cursor?

My early experiences have demonstrated Cursor’s ability to:

• Implement Multi-File Changes: Compose mode allows seamless modifications across numerous files, as well as creating or deleting files when necessary.
• Handle Complex Refactoring: The tool effectively reimplemented an API endpoint from a JavaScript codebase to a TypeScript one, managing database queries and updating references within the website while maintaining feature flag dependencies.
• Improve Workflow Efficiency: It feels akin to working alongside an intermediate developer—someone who executes the bulk of a task while you guide and refine the result.

Cursor often reaches 90-95% completion of requested changes, though more extensive alterations naturally reduce that success rate. Detailed instructions, along with file references for example code, enhance the accuracy and quality of generated outputs.

File Change Management

Cursor lists all files where changes were made in a diff-style viewer, allowing developers to review and approve each modification. This transparency is invaluable for maintaining control over the codebase.

Comparison with VS Code + Copilot

While tools like Copilot have been instrumental in boosting productivity, Cursor’s Compose feature stands out for its ability to:

• Effectively Manage Large Changes: It operates seamlessly across multiple files and handles terminal commands such as package installations.
• Command Permission: Cursor requests user approval before executing any terminal commands or modifying files—an essential safeguard.

Cost Breakdown

Cursor offers several subscription models:

• Free Tier: Includes a two-week Pro trial, followed by a limit of 2000 completions and 50 slow premium requests.
• Pro Tier ($20/month): Unlimited completions and access to high-powered AI features.
• Business Tier ($40/user/month): Additional features such as privacy mode and centralized team billing.

Cursor is a promising AI-driven code editor that significantly enhances development efficiency. It’s particularly well-suited for developers who regularly need to implement broad changes across codebases or seek robust AI assistance integrated directly into their workflow. For those already familiar with VS Code, the transition is smooth, with Cursor’s AI features making it a powerful tool worth exploring.

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