What is Cursor?
A VS Code fork with deep AI integration. Cursor reads your codebase, suggests edits across files, and chats about your code. The default for AI-assisted coding in 2026.
Key features
- Multi-file edits with Composer
- Codebase-aware chat
- Tab completion that understands context
- Use Claude 4.7, GPT-5, or your own API key
- VS Code extension compatibility
Pros
- Genuinely accelerates coding 2-3x
- Best AI codebase awareness
- Familiar VS Code interface
- Active development — frequent improvements
Cons
- Paid tier needed for serious use
- Privacy: code is sent to AI providers
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
Best for
Software developersIndie hackersVibe coders
