Cursor
AI-powered code editor with built-in GPT-4 and Claude
What is Cursor
Cursor is the hottest AI code editor right now, deeply rebuilt on top of VS Code. It's not just a plugin — AI is baked into the editor core. Use Tab for AI completions, Cmd+K for inline chat, and Cmd+L for a side panel to discuss your entire codebase.
Cursor supports GPT-4o, Claude Sonnet, DeepSeek and more. The free plan gives you 2000 completions and 50 premium requests per month.
Cursor supports GPT-4o, Claude Sonnet, DeepSeek and more. The free plan gives you 2000 completions and 50 premium requests per month.
Free Tier Details
Cursor free plan (Hobby Plan) includes:
- 2000 Tab completions per month (cursor-small model)
- 50 premium requests per month (GPT-4o / Claude Sonnet)
- Basic codebase indexing
- Full VS Code extension compatibility
After exhausting free quota, service continues with basic completions. Pro at $20/mo unlocks unlimited completions and 500 premium requests.
- 2000 Tab completions per month (cursor-small model)
- 50 premium requests per month (GPT-4o / Claude Sonnet)
- Basic codebase indexing
- Full VS Code extension compatibility
After exhausting free quota, service continues with basic completions. Pro at $20/mo unlocks unlimited completions and 500 premium requests.
Editor's note
Editor's note: If you only need model calls, compare official APIs, free quota, latency, and switching cost before choosing any aggregator.
China Access Guide
Cursor itself downloads and installs normally in China. The built-in AI features connect to Cursor's servers, which may need a proxy in some regions.
Alternative: Connect via API aggregator for direct China access with lower latency, no proxy needed.
Alternative: Connect via API aggregator for direct China access with lower latency, no proxy needed.
FAQ
Q: Is the free plan enough?
A: For light use, yes. 2000 completions + 50 premium requests per month. For heavy development, consider Pro or connecting API aggregator.
Q: How does it compare to VS Code + Copilot?
A: Cursor has deeper AI integration with codebase-level context. Copilot wins on ecosystem and stability.
Q: Can I use my own API key?
A: Yes, supports OpenAI and Anthropic format keys, including API aggregator proxy services.
A: For light use, yes. 2000 completions + 50 premium requests per month. For heavy development, consider Pro or connecting API aggregator.
Q: How does it compare to VS Code + Copilot?
A: Cursor has deeper AI integration with codebase-level context. Copilot wins on ecosystem and stability.
Q: Can I use my own API key?
A: Yes, supports OpenAI and Anthropic format keys, including API aggregator proxy services.
Core Features Deep Dive
Cursor's three core features set it apart:
Tab Completion: Not just simple code completion — Cursor analyzes your coding patterns and context to predict entire code blocks. Tab to accept, Esc to reject.
Cmd+K Inline Edit: Select code, press Cmd+K, describe changes, and AI modifies in-place. Much more efficient than copy-pasting to a chat window.
Cmd+L Codebase Chat: The sidebar chat panel understands your entire codebase context. Ask "where is this function called" or "refactor this module" and get codebase-aware answers.
@ References: Use @file, @folder, @web in chat to reference specific context for precise AI understanding.
Tab Completion: Not just simple code completion — Cursor analyzes your coding patterns and context to predict entire code blocks. Tab to accept, Esc to reject.
Cmd+K Inline Edit: Select code, press Cmd+K, describe changes, and AI modifies in-place. Much more efficient than copy-pasting to a chat window.
Cmd+L Codebase Chat: The sidebar chat panel understands your entire codebase context. Ask "where is this function called" or "refactor this module" and get codebase-aware answers.
@ References: Use @file, @folder, @web in chat to reference specific context for precise AI understanding.
Who Is It For
Best for:
- Full-stack developers: efficient completion for both frontend and backend
- Solo developers: AI is the best partner when you're a one-person team
- Budget-conscious devs: custom API key support lets you use API aggregator to cut costs
- VS Code users: zero migration cost, all extensions and settings compatible
Not ideal for:
- Pure mobile development (no native iOS/Android support)
- Extremely privacy-sensitive enterprises (code is sent to Cursor servers unless using local models)
- Non-coders (this is an editor, not a no-code tool)
- Full-stack developers: efficient completion for both frontend and backend
- Solo developers: AI is the best partner when you're a one-person team
- Budget-conscious devs: custom API key support lets you use API aggregator to cut costs
- VS Code users: zero migration cost, all extensions and settings compatible
Not ideal for:
- Pure mobile development (no native iOS/Android support)
- Extremely privacy-sensitive enterprises (code is sent to Cursor servers unless using local models)
- Non-coders (this is an editor, not a no-code tool)