Cursor

What is it

Cursor is an AI-powered fork of VS Code that deeply integrates AI assistance into the editor. Unlike GitHub Copilot, which is a plugin, Cursor is a reimagined IDE where AI is a first-class citizen. It features an AI chat panel, inline code generation, and the ability to reference files and entire codebases in prompts.

My Opinion

Cursor is a “better sidecar” approach to AI-assisted coding. While AntiGravity tries to replace the developer with a manager role, Cursor keeps the developer in control but gives them superpowers. The AI is there when you need it, invisible when you don’t. It’s the sensible middle ground in the AI IDE wars.

The Deep Integration

The difference between Cursor and Copilot is that Cursor can see everything. You can ask it to “refactor the authentication module” and it will read all related files, understand the architecture, and make changes across multiple files. Copilot can only complete code inline—it can’t refactor entire modules or reason about your project structure.

This puts Cursor somewhere between GitHub Copilot (autocomplete) and Claude Code (full agentic control). You get project-wide awareness without giving up control of command execution.

The “Cursor Tab” Workflow

The killer feature is Cursor Tab (Cmd+K). It’s not just code completion—it’s an interactive chat that understands your entire project. You can paste error messages, describe architectural changes, or ask for explanations, and Cursor provides contextually relevant responses based on your codebase. It’s the workflow that makes you wonder why VS Code doesn’t have this built-in.

The VS Code Compatibility

Cursor is a fork of VS Code, which means it supports almost all VS Code extensions. Your muscle memory carries over, your keybindings work, and your favorite extensions are available. This is a huge adoption advantage over completely new IDEs like AntiGravity. You’re not learning a new tool—you’re upgrading the one you already know.

The “Cloud” Concern

Cursor requires an internet connection to function, which is a real concern for:

• Offline development
• Security-sensitive environments
• Air-gapped systems
• Developers in areas with poor connectivity

Your code and context are sent to Cursor’s servers for processing. While they claim privacy protections, this is a non-starter for many enterprises. For terminal-first developers who want offline capability, OpenCode might be a better fit.

The “Feature Bloat” Risk

Cursor is adding features fast. Multi-file editing, project-wide search, natural language prompts, composer mode—some of these are genuinely useful, others feel like feature creep. The danger is that the editor becomes a Swiss Army knife that does everything adequately but nothing exceptionally well. The VS Code foundation is solid, but how much can you pile on top before it collapses?

Conclusion

Cursor is the most polished AI-enhanced VS Code fork available. It’s not as ambitious as AntiGravity, but it’s more practical for everyday development. If you want AI that respects your workflow rather than redefining it, Cursor is worth trying. Just be aware of the cloud dependency and consider whether your security requirements allow sending code to external servers.