Cursor AI: The VS Code Competitor

Introduction

Recently, a new development tool, Cursor, has been gaining popularity as a potential competitor to Visual Studio Code (VS Code). While it may not yet warrant the title of a "VS Code killer," Cursor offers some intriguing features, particularly its AI integration, which is built from the ground up. This contrasts with VS Code, where users must add extensions for AI capabilities.

Importing VS Code Settings into Cursor

One of the standout features of Cursor is the ease with which it allows users to transfer their existing VS Code setup. Users can access the Cursor settings via the standard control command (Control + , or Command + ,) on macOS. From there, they can navigate to the settings section and find the import option for VS Code.

After confirming the import, users can follow the prompts to transfer their settings, profiles, and extensions. Most extensions work seamlessly in Cursor, although some users may encounter challenges with specific tools, like GitHub CodeSpaces.

Why Not Just an Extension for VS Code?

The developers behind Cursor have chosen to create a standalone application instead of just an extension for VS Code. This decision allows them greater control over the user interface and the internal APIs, resulting in enhanced AI integration and a smoother developer experience.

AI Models and Custom API Keys

Cursor leverages a variety of AI models, including OpenAI's GPT-4 and Claude 3. Users can provide their own API keys for these models, allowing them to manage costs internally. If users choose not to provide their keys, Cursor offers a free tier that includes 2,000 completions and 50 premium requests.

Developing with Cursor

After setting up an API for creating, updating, and deleting notes, users can utilize Cursor’s AI features to generate a UI. For instance, the AI suggested using EJS—a JavaScript templating engine—to build the UI. Although there were initial hiccups, such as errors in retrieving views or APIs not being recognized, following the AI’s guidance helped resolve most issues.

By adding necessary routes, middleware, and ensuring proper authentication, the full functionality of the application came together. This experience showed how well Cursor’s AI can assist with coding tasks, streamlining the development process.

Conclusion

Ultimately, Cursor has proven to be a solid tool worth exploring further. Its AI capabilities go beyond chat interfaces, as it can also integrate directly into code files. The author's plan is to continue using Cursor to evaluate its full range of features, potentially leading to more informative follow-up content.

Keywords

Cursor, Visual Studio Code, alternative coding tool, AI integration, user interface, API management, EJS, development environment.

FAQ

What is Cursor?
Cursor is a new development tool designed to compete with Visual Studio Code, offering built-in AI features and an easy way to import existing VS Code setups.

How do I import my VS Code settings into Cursor?
You can access the Cursor settings via the control command, navigate to the settings section, and choose the VS Code import option, which allows you to transfer your settings and extensions easily.

Why did the developers create Cursor as a standalone tool instead of an extension?
Creating Cursor as a standalone application gives developers more control over the user interface and allows for deeper integration of AI, resulting in an enhanced developer experience.

What AI models does Cursor utilize?
Cursor supports various AI models, including OpenAI's GPT-4 and Claude 3, and allows users to provide their custom API keys for managing costs.

Can Cursor help with UI development?
Yes, Cursor's AI can suggest code structures and frameworks, such as EJS for creating user interfaces, making the development process faster and more efficient.