Cursor

The AI code editor built for vibe coding

Cursor is an AI-powered code editor built on VS Code that lets you write, edit, and debug code through natural language. It uses Claude and GPT-4 under the hood and has become the go-to tool for both professional developers and non-coders building apps through vibe coding.

What is Cursor?

Cursor is an AI-powered code editor that looks and feels exactly like VS Code. Because it's built on it. the difference is that AI is deeply integrated into every part of the coding experience. you can write code by describing what you want, ask questions about your codebase, get intelligent autocomplete, and apply changes across multiple files at once.

it uses Claude and GPT-4 under the hood (you can switch between them) and has become the default tool for both professional developers who want to code faster and non-developers exploring vibe coding. Building apps through natural language descriptions.

Who should use Cursor?

professional developers: if you're already coding daily, Cursor makes you measurably faster. the Composer feature generates entire components from descriptions, and multi-file editing handles refactoring that would take hours manually. many developers report 2-3x speed improvements on routine tasks.

vibe coders and non-developers: if you want to build working software without being a programmer, Cursor is the best entry point. you can describe features, get working code, and iterate through conversation. it's not push-button simple. You'll need to understand what the code does at a basic level. But it dramatically lowers the barrier.

probably not for you if: you don't write code or build software at all, you're looking for a simple no-code tool (try Webflow or Framer instead), or your codebase uses very niche or proprietary frameworks the AI hasn't seen.

Pricing

Cursor has a free tier called Hobby that gives you limited AI completions and chat. it's enough to try the tool and see if you like the workflow, but not enough for daily use.

the Pro plan at $20/month is where the value is. Unlimited AI completions, 500 premium model uses per month (Claude Sonnet, GPT-4), and unlimited slower model uses. for professional developers, the time saved easily justifies the cost within the first week.

the Business plan adds team features at $40/user/month if you need centralized billing and admin controls.

How we use Cursor at Blue Orchid

Cursor is our primary code editor. we use it for everything from building client websites to developing our own AI systems and tools.

the Composer feature is where we spend most of our time. Describing a feature, reviewing the generated code, tweaking it, and moving to the next feature. for a typical web application feature, what used to take 2-3 hours now takes 30-45 minutes. the code still needs review, but the first draft is usually 80% correct.

we also use the codebase chat feature constantly. Instead of searching through files manually, we ask Cursor "where does the user authentication happen?" or "which files handle the pricing logic?" and get immediate, contextual answers.

for our full tool recommendations, see our best AI tools for small business guide.

Cursor vs Copilot? Cursor and GitHub Copilot are the two leading AI coding tools. Cursor is better for full-feature generation and codebase-level understanding. Copilot is better for line-by-line completion within existing code. See our detailed Cursor vs Copilot comparison.

What you get

• Composer Describe what you want to build in plain English and Cursor generates full files, components, and features across your codebase
• Chat with codebase Ask questions about your code and get answers that reference specific files and functions. Like having a senior dev available 24/7
• Tab completion Intelligent autocomplete that predicts your next edit based on context, often finishing entire functions or blocks correctly
• Multi-file editing Apply changes across multiple files simultaneously. Describe a refactor and Cursor implements it across your project
• Model selection Choose between Claude Sonnet, GPT-4, and other models depending on the task. Different models excel at different things
• VS Code compatibility Built on VS Code so all your extensions, themes, and keybindings work. Switching from VS Code takes minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cursor worth paying for?

If you write code daily. Yes, without question. The Pro plan at $20/month saves most developers 5-10 hours per week. If you're learning to code or building your first project, the free tier is a good starting point before committing.

Can I use Cursor without knowing how to code?

Partially. Cursor's Composer lets you describe features in plain English and generates working code. But you'll need to understand enough to evaluate the output, fix errors, and guide the AI. Think of it as coding with training wheels. You're still steering.

Is Cursor better than GitHub Copilot?

For most developers, yes. Cursor understands your entire codebase (not just the current file), can generate complete features from descriptions, and applies changes across multiple files. Copilot is stronger for line-by-line completions. Many developers use both.

What AI models does Cursor use?

Cursor uses Claude Sonnet and GPT-4o for premium requests, plus faster models for autocomplete. You can switch between models depending on the task. Claude generally produces better code for complex tasks, while GPT-4o is faster for simpler operations.

Is Cursor free?

Cursor has a free Hobby tier with limited AI features. It's enough to try the tool but not enough for daily professional use. The Pro plan at $20/month includes the full AI capabilities and is where most of the value lives.