Cursor
AI-first VS Code fork with deep multi-file edit and tab autocomplete.
Free + Pro from $20/mo
Features
- ▸ Composer (multi-file agent)
- ▸ Cmd-K inline edit
- ▸ Tab autocomplete with codebase context
- ▸ Chat with @-mention codebase / docs / web
- ▸ Bug-finder mode
- ▸ Background agents
- ▸ .cursorrules per-project config
Pros
- + Best-in-class autocomplete and codebase chat
- + Familiar VS Code UX
- + Background agents for long tasks
Cons
- − Closed source, telemetry concerns for some teams
- − MCP support trails Claude Code/Cline
Best for
- · Frontend/full-stack devs
- · Teams already on VS Code
- · Devs who want autocomplete-first AI
Avoid if
- · You need full OSS / data-residency control
- · You prefer terminal-first workflows
Recipes using Cursor
Migrating from GitHub Copilot to Cursor: 30-minute checklist
Move your config, key bindings, and ignore patterns. Keep Copilot for one week as backup.
When to reach for Cursor vs Claude Code (decision tree)
Both tools are great. They're great at different things. Here's how to pick in 30 seconds.
Setting a sane budget for AI coding tools as a working engineer
Stop guessing — concrete monthly numbers for solo devs, small teams, and consultancies.