How to Use Cursor for AI-Powered Coding

1. Go to https://cursor.com and click Download.

3. Open Cursor. The first time it asks if you want to import your VS Code settings (extensions, themes, shortcuts): accept if you already use VS Code, or skip the step.

4. Create a free account or sign in. The Hobby plan (free) is enough to get started and explore all the main features.

1. In Cursor go to File → Open Folder and pick your project folder.

   • If you don’t have a project yet, create a new folder on your computer (for example my-first-project) and open it in Cursor.

2. Confirm that the left panel shows your folder name. That means Cursor knows your full project and can answer questions about all its files.

Cursor works best when you have a folder open as a project. If you open a single file, it loses the codebase context and the chat answers will be less precise.

Tab autocomplete is Cursor’s most visible feature: as you type, the AI predicts what you’re about to write and shows it in light gray. If the suggestion is what you want, press Tab and it gets inserted.

How to use it:

1. Open or create a file (for example app.py, index.js or index.html).
2. Start typing a line of code.
3. Wait a second and you’ll see gray text appear to the right.
4. If the suggestion is correct, press Tab to accept it.
5. If not, keep typing and the AI adjusts the suggestion automatically.

Autocomplete learns from the file and project context: the more code your folder has, the better the suggestions.

The shortcut Ctrl + KCmd + K opens a text field right where you’re writing. From there you can:

Generate new code (without selecting anything):

1. Press Ctrl + KCmd + K.
2. Describe what you want in plain words (for example: “function that receives a list of numbers and returns the average”).
3. Press Enter. Cursor inserts the code into the file.

Edit existing code (select the lines first):

1. Select the lines you want to change.
2. Press Ctrl + KCmd + K.
3. Describe the change (for example: “convert this to TypeScript” or “add error handling”).
4. Press Enter.

Cursor shows the result in diff mode: green is what it adds, red is what it removes. Accept with Accept or reject with Reject.

Cursor’s chat (Ctrl + LCmd + L) is a panel where you can talk to the AI about your entire project. You don’t need to copy and paste code: the AI already sees all the files in your folder.

What you can do in the chat:

• “What does the utils.py file do?”
• “Why is this function returning undefined?”
• “Create a README.md file explaining this project.”
• “Find every place I use this variable and explain its flow.”

How to use it:

1. Press Ctrl + LCmd + L to open the chat panel on the right.
2. Type your question in the text field.
3. If you want the AI to look at a specific file, drag it into the chat or type @ followed by the file name.
4. Press Enter and read the answer.

This workflow is the heart of vibe coding: you describe in natural language what you want to build or understand, and the AI works with the real code in your project. To learn more about that approach and how to apply it from scratch, check out Vibe coding.

Action	Windows/Linux	Mac
Accept autocomplete	Tab	Tab
Edit or generate code (inline)	Ctrl + K	Cmd + K
Open codebase chat	Ctrl + L	Cmd + L
Find file in project	Ctrl + P	Cmd + P
Command palette	Ctrl + Shift + P	Cmd + Shift + P
Open integrated terminal	Ctrl + `	Cmd + `

The shortcuts are virtually identical to Visual Studio Code’s. If you already know them, you already know how to navigate Cursor.

Problem	Fix
Tab suggestions don’t appear	Check that you’re in a code file (not plain text) and that you have an internet connection
The chat doesn’t understand the project	Make sure you have a folder open as a project and that you’re signed in
Cursor asks you to pay to continue	Your Hobby plan reached its monthly limit. Wait until next month or consider the Pro plan
Shortcuts don’t respond	Go to Cursor → Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts to detect conflicts with other extensions
I want to keep using VS Code too	You can have both installed at the same time: use Cursor for AI-heavy work and VS Code for everything else