AI tools · Coding

Cursor AI: setup, settings and troubleshooting

An AI-native code editor built on VS Code with deep, whole-codebase AI assistance.

What is Cursor AI?

Cursor is a standalone code editor forked from VS Code that has AI assistance built into its core rather than bolted on as an extension. It can read and reason across an entire codebase, make multi-file edits, and run an autonomous 'Agent' that plans and executes coding tasks. Because it's a full editor (not just a plugin), it keeps your existing VS Code keybindings, themes, and most extensions while adding AI-native features on top.

  • Tab: predictive multi-line autocomplete that suggests entire edits, not just the next token, based on your recent changes
  • Agent mode: an autonomous AI that plans, edits multiple files, runs terminal commands, and iterates until a task is done
  • Cmd/Ctrl+K inline editing to rewrite or generate code directly in place with a natural-language instruction
  • Chat with full codebase context ('@' references to files, folders, docs, or the web) for asking questions grounded in your actual project
  • Support for multiple frontier models (e.g., different Claude, GPT, and Gemini models) selectable per task
  • Built-in support for rules files (.cursor/rules) to steer AI behavior consistently across a project

Create an account

  1. Go to cursor.com and click 'Download', which also prompts account creation.
  2. Sign up using a Google, GitHub, or email account when the app first opens and asks you to log in.
  3. A free Hobby plan is created automatically; upgrade to Pro or Business from Settings > Billing for higher usage limits and access to more models.

Install the app

  1. Download the installer for your OS (Windows, macOS, or Linux) from cursor.com/download.
  2. Run the installer; on first launch, Cursor offers to import your VS Code settings, extensions, and keybindings automatically.
  3. Sign in when prompted, then open a project folder (File > Open Folder) to start working, just as you would in VS Code.

Recommended first settings

  1. Choose a default AI model in Settings > Models based on your plan and task type (faster models for quick edits, stronger models for complex Agent tasks).
  2. Add a .cursor/rules file (or rules for AI in Settings) describing your project's conventions so suggestions match your codebase's style.
  3. Enable/disable Privacy Mode in Settings if you don't want code snippets used to improve models.
  4. Set up keyboard shortcuts for Tab, Cmd/Ctrl+K, and Agent chat if migrating from a different editor's muscle memory.

How to use Cursor AI

Use Tab as you type for accepted-with-a-keypress autocomplete, Cmd/Ctrl+K to rewrite a selected block inline with an instruction, and the Chat/Agent panel for larger tasks that span multiple files. For anything beyond a single-line fix, describe the goal in plain language and let Agent mode plan the changes, edit files, and run commands, reviewing the diff before accepting.

  • Reference specific files/symbols with '@' in chat so the AI grounds its answer in your actual code instead of guessing.
  • Review Agent's proposed diff carefully before accepting, especially for changes touching authentication, payments, or data migrations.
  • Keep a project rules file up to date — it dramatically improves suggestion quality on larger, opinionated codebases.

Common problems and fixes

Can't sign in / stuck on 'Authenticating...' screen.
Close and reopen the browser tab used for login, and check that Cursor isn't blocked by a corporate firewall or VPN intercepting the auth redirect. If it persists, sign out from Settings, restart Cursor, and try logging in again, or use a different login method (e.g., email instead of SSO).
Installer won't run or extensions/settings fail to import from VS Code.
Make sure you're using the latest installer from cursor.com/download rather than an old cached file, and that your OS meets the minimum version requirements. If import fails, open Cursor's Command Palette and run 'Import VS Code Settings' manually after installation completes.
Tab suggestions or Agent responses are slow, or requests time out.
Check your usage limits under Settings > Usage — Hobby plan limits can throttle response speed once exceeded. Switching to a lighter/faster model for routine edits, and reserving the most capable model for complex Agent tasks, usually resolves lag.
AI edits break the build or make unwanted changes across files.
Use the built-in diff review before accepting any Agent change, and revert via Cursor's checkpoint/undo history if a change was already applied. Narrow the prompt scope (name exact files/functions) next time so Agent doesn't touch unrelated code.

Best practices

  • Keep prompts scoped to specific files or functions rather than 'fix my app' to get precise, reviewable results.
  • Always read the diff before accepting Agent changes, especially in security- or payment-sensitive code.
  • Maintain a .cursor/rules file describing coding conventions, architecture, and libraries used in the project.
  • Commit working code frequently so you can easily roll back an AI-generated change that goes wrong.

Frequently asked questions

Do I lose my VS Code extensions if I switch to Cursor?

Most VS Code extensions still work in Cursor since it's a VS Code fork, and the first-run setup can import your existing extensions and keybindings automatically.

Is Cursor free to use?

There's a free Hobby tier with limited AI usage; Pro and Business plans add higher usage limits, priority access, and more model choices for a monthly fee.

What's the difference between Tab, Cmd+K, and Agent?

Tab is inline autocomplete as you type, Cmd/Ctrl+K rewrites a selected piece of code from an instruction, and Agent is an autonomous mode that plans and executes larger multi-file tasks, including running terminal commands.

Does Cursor send my code to train AI models?

By default Cursor may use code to improve its product depending on plan and settings; Privacy Mode can be enabled to prevent code from being stored or used for training. Check current settings, as policies can change.

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