Cursor: The AI-powered IDE That's Changing Development

If you're looking to take your productivity as a developer to the next level by taking full advantage of AI, Cursor could be just what you need. This Visual Studio Code-based editor goes a step further than other traditional IDEs, integrating artificial intelligence capabilities into every aspect of the development process, and aims to redefine your workflow, from auto-completion to debugging.

✨ What makes Cursor special?

Cursor is not just another code editor with an AI plugin. It is a complete reimagining of how AI can power software development, offering:

1. Advanced Predictive Autocompletion

Compared to other editors that offer only basic suggestions, Cursor powers predictive auto-completion with remarkable accuracy, anticipating entire lines of code and adapting to your programming style. Not only does it guess words, but it can predict changes in several parts of the code simultaneously and apply a propagation system that keeps your code base consistent.

This advanced auto-completion becomes a great ally in repetitive and complex tasks, and allows developers to focus more on problem solving than syntax.

The power of TAB

• More aggressive and accurate code suggestions than alternatives
• Unique ability to predict and suggest changes to multiple parts of the code
• Intelligent change propagation system that maintains consistency across code

2. Integrated Chat with Multiple Modalities

Cursor brings AI chat functionality that goes beyond the conventional. Rather than just being an assistant that only answers general questions, Cursor's chat comes in multiple modalities:

• Inline Chat: Allows for quick edits and resolving queries directly on the code, with accurate answers that help solve problems without losing context.
• Side Chat Panel: Here, Cursor acts as a comprehensive assistant, capable of answering general queries or resolving more extensive doubts, providing from explanations about a framework to code optimization suggestions.
• Direct integration with technical documentation from multiple frameworks and libraries.
• Ability to add custom documentation as context

3. Composer Mode

A dedicated interface for changes affecting multiple files, allowing a clear preview of all changes before applying them and facilitating the refinement and fine-tuning of proposed modifications.

• Dedicated interface for changes affecting multiple files
• Clear preview of all changes before applying them
• Ease of refining and fine-tuning proposed modifications

💪 Advanced Customization: The Key to Cursor Power

One of the most outstanding features of Cursor is its high level of customisation, which allows the tool to be tailored to the specific needs of each developer or team.

Rules for AI: Control in Your Hands

Cursor allows you to configure custom rules for AI in two ways:

1. Global Configuration.
   • Accessible from Cursor Settings > General > Rules for AI.
   • Ideal for setting general development preferences

2. Project Settings
   • Via .cursorrules file in the root of the project
   • Perfect for setting project-specific rules

Examples of Effective Rules

Use descriptive variable names with verbs or clear naming conventions
to represent states or actions (e.g. isAuthenticated, fetchUserData)
For Angular components, use PascalCase for class names (e.g. UserProfileComponent, NavBarComponent)

Coming soon, I will write a special post about effective rules for Cursor, especially for Angular, NodeJS, and testing.

Benefits of Customization

In addition to the benefits already mentioned, Cursor customization offers:

• Increased Efficiency: More accurate and relevant code generation.
• Continuous Learning**: Exposure to best practices through suggestions
• Error Reduction**: Improved debugging support
• Accessibility**: Natural interaction with the AI

Contextual Documentation

Cursor allows you to integrate external documentation, which is especially useful when working with new or less known technologies. Especially if you need to work with specific versions of libraries or frameworks.

• Ability to integrate external documentation
• Especially useful for working with new or less-known technologies.
• Ensures accuracy in code hinting

Additional Practical Features

Other practical features that Cursor offers include:

• Natural language generation of terminal commands
• AI-assisted debugging
• Automatic test generation
• Code explanation and error resolution

🧑 Personal Opinion

For me, Cursor is an incredible tool that has transformed my workflow as a developer. Its ability to integrate with the IDE, its accuracy in code suggestions, and its focus on customization stand out in a market full of AI tools.

Of course, like any AI tool, Cursor is still in development and is not infallible. To try to be more equitable, I offer my personal opinion on the advantages and disadvantages of Cursor:

Advantages

• Exceptional integration of AI with the IDE
• Quick application of changes
• Familiar interface and ecosystem for VS Code users
• Robust customization system

Disadvantages

• Costly pricing model ($20/month for the Pro plan)
• Official documentation that could be improved
• Available only as a standalone IDE, not as an extension
• Some keyboard shortcuts and functionalities are not as intuitive as in VS Code

Is it worth it?

Cursor stands out, especially for its ability to customize and adapt to different workflows. It is particularly valuable for:

• Developers seeking a highly personalized AI experience
• Teams that need to maintain consistency in their coding practices
• Programmers who value efficiency and accuracy in their tools

Getting Started with Cursor

To make the most of Cursor:

1. Download Cursor from cursor.com
2. Configure your custom rules
3. Integrate the relevant documentation for your project
4. Explore the free plan before considering the upgrade to Pro

🎁 Conclusion

Cursor's true power lies in its ability to customize. While it's an impressive tool in its own right, its real value shines when tailored to the specific needs of each developer or team. Remember that, like any AI tool, Cursor is most effective when used as an assistant to enhance your development, not as a replacement for your experience and judgment as a developer.

In summary, Cursor is a tool worth trying, especially if you're already using VS Code. And if you get used to its keyboard shortcuts and functionalities, it will be very difficult to go back to using another editor.

Code smarter, not harder