Cursor

What is Cursor?

Cursor is a VS Code fork rebuilt for AI-first development. Features intelligent autocomplete, chat with codebase context, and Agent/Composer mode for multi-file changes.

Cursor is an AI-native integrated development environment built as a fork of Visual Studio Code, which means developers get the familiar interface, extensions, and keybindings they already know, with deeply integrated AI capabilities layered on top. Since its launch, Cursor has rapidly become the most popular AI coding IDE, surpassing 2 million users and generating over $100 million in annual recurring revenue. The core of Cursor's appeal lies in its multi-modal AI integration. Tab completion goes beyond simple autocomplete -- it predicts your next edit based on recent changes, offering multi-line suggestions that understand the context of what you are building. The AI chat panel lets you ask questions about your codebase with full project context, and Composer mode enables multi-file editing through natural language instructions. Cursor's Agent mode represents a significant leap forward. When activated, the agent can autonomously plan and execute multi-step coding tasks, search your codebase for relevant context, create and modify files, and run terminal commands. Background agents take this further by running tasks in parallel cloud environments, so you can queue up multiple coding tasks and review the results later. The IDE also offers intelligent features like auto-generated documentation, bug detection as you type, and smart refactoring suggestions. Its diff view for AI-generated changes makes it easy to review what the AI wants to change before accepting. Privacy-conscious teams can use Cursor's privacy mode, which ensures code is never stored on external servers. Pricing starts with a generous free tier that includes limited AI completions. The Pro plan at $20/month unlocks unlimited completions, faster models, and Agent mode. The Business plan at $40/month adds team management, admin controls, and centralized billing. Cursor has quickly become the default recommendation for developers who want AI assistance inside a traditional IDE workflow, and its rapid development pace means new features land every few weeks. For teams transitioning from VS Code, the migration is essentially seamless -- you can import all your settings, extensions, and keybindings in one click. This low friction onboarding, combined with genuinely useful AI features, explains Cursor's explosive growth.