Where Cursor shines

Cursor blends editor and agent: chat to modify files, run multi-file refactors, and let a background agent execute subtasks while you keep coding.

Background Agent

Run tasks in parallel while you continue coding.

Inline & folder-aware edits

Edit selections or whole folders via chat.

Model flexibility

Use top models or bring your own keys.

AI-native coding environment

Cursor is a new coding IDE designed from the ground up with AI in mind. Unlike add-ons to existing tools, Cursor integrates AI deeply into navigation, search, and code writing. Developers can chat with the IDE, ask questions about code, and receive contextual completions and edits. Its design philosophy positions AI as a first-class collaborator rather than an optional tool.

Adoption and users

Cursor appeals to developers eager to explore the frontier of AI-native development. Startups experimenting with fast prototyping and independent developers who want cutting-edge tools are among early adopters. By removing friction between query and code change, Cursor accelerates iterative development and experimentation.

Evaluation and critique

As a newer entrant, Cursor is still maturing and may lack the plugin ecosystem of established IDEs. Stability and scalability for large teams are yet to be proven. However, its AI-first approach represents the likely direction of development environments, making it an exciting option for early adopters and innovators.