TopToolsAiIntro
Cursor is a code editor, a fork of VS Code, built around AI from the ground up rather than adding it on as a plugin. It can read and edit across several files in one request, not just the one file you happen to have open.
Description
AI-first code editor built for large codebases and natural-language edits.
How to use Cursor
- Download Cursor and import your VS Code settings if you have them
- Open your project like you normally would
- Highlight code or describe a change in plain language
- Review the proposed edit across files, then apply it
Free vs Pro ($20/mo): which should you pick?
| Feature | Free | Pro ($20/mo) |
|---|---|---|
| AI requests per month | Limited | Significantly higher |
| Multi-file edits | Included, limited | Included, higher limits |
| Model choice | Standard | Access to premium models |
Advantages & Disadvantages
✓ Advantages
- Understands and edits across multiple files at once, not just one
- Interface is based on VS Code, so switching over feels familiar
- Natural-language edit commands make refactors go noticeably faster
- Tight loop between suggesting a change and applying it
✗ Disadvantages
- The free plan caps how many AI requests you get per month
- Complex multi-file changes still deserve a manual review
- Means switching editors if you're not already on something VS Code-based
Cursor Review
Cursor takes a different route than most AI coding tools, rather than layering AI on top of your existing editor, it's a full editor designed around AI from day one, including changes that span several files at once.
The free tier is generous enough to properly evaluate it, and if you regularly work in a large codebase, that multi-file editing genuinely saves time.
Is Cursor better than GitHub Copilot?
Cursor is a full editor rebuilt around AI from the start, capable of coordinated edits across multiple files. Copilot stays an extension inside whatever editor you already use. Cursor suits bigger refactors, Copilot suits quick inline suggestions.
Frequently asked questions
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