Getting Started with Cursor AI

Cursor is a code editor built from the ground up for AI-assisted development. It looks like VS Code (it's actually built on the same foundation), but with AI deeply integrated into every part of the editing experience. If you write code, Cursor is worth trying.

What Makes Cursor Different

Most code editors bolt AI on as an afterthought — a chat panel on the side, a suggestion here and there. Cursor weaves AI into the core editing experience:

• Inline editing — Highlight code and tell AI to change it
• Codebase awareness — AI understands your entire project, not just the open file
• Tab completion — Predictive completions that understand your intent
• Chat with code — Ask questions about your codebase and get accurate answers
• Multi-file editing — AI can make coordinated changes across multiple files

Getting Started

Installation

1. Download Cursor from cursor.com
2. Install it — it works on Mac, Windows, and Linux
3. Import your VS Code settings (Cursor offers a one-click migration)

First Steps

1. Open a project folder
2. Try Cmd+K (Mac) or Ctrl+K (Windows) to open the inline edit prompt
3. Type what you want to change: "Add error handling to this function"
4. Review the diff and accept or reject

Chat (Cmd+L / Ctrl+L)

Open the chat panel to ask questions:
- "How does the authentication flow work in this project?"
- "What does this function do?"
- "Why might this test be failing?"

Composer (Cmd+I / Ctrl+I)

Composer is for bigger tasks that span multiple files:
- "Add a user settings page with a form for updating name and email"
- "Refactor the database queries to use a connection pool"
- "Write tests for the payment processing module"

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Cursor

1. Use @mentions

Reference specific files, functions, or documentation with @:
- @filename.ts — Reference a specific file
- @docs — Reference project documentation
- @web — Search the web for context

2. Be Specific

"Fix the bug" is less helpful than "The login form doesn't validate email format — add regex validation that shows an inline error message."

3. Review Before Accepting

Always read the diffs. AI is good, but it's not perfect. A quick review catches mistakes before they become problems.

4. Learn the Keyboard Shortcuts

Cursor's power is in its keyboard shortcuts. The faster you can invoke AI, the more naturally it fits your workflow.

Cursor + MCP

Cursor supports MCP servers, which means you can extend it with external tools and data sources. Connect to databases, APIs, and services directly from your editor.

Who Is Cursor For?

• Professional developers looking to code faster
• Beginners who want AI guidance while learning
• Teams who want consistent code quality
• Anyone who writes code and values their time

Learn More

Explore development tools on a-gnt to find extensions and tools that work with Cursor. The AI coding revolution is here — and Cursor is leading it.