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Cursor burst onto the scene promising to revolutionize how we write code. After three months of daily use, here's my comprehensive review of whether Cursor lives up to the hype — and whether it's worth switching from VS Code.
What is Cursor?
Cursor is an AI-native code editor built on VS Code's foundation but redesigned around AI-first workflows. Unlike Copilot which adds AI to your existing editor, Cursor was architected from the ground up for AI-assisted development.
Key Features That Stand Out
Codebase Understanding
Cursor's killer feature is its ability to understand your entire codebase. Ask questions like "Where is user authentication handled?" and it gives contextually accurate answers. This isn't just search — it genuinely understands code relationships.
Inline Editing with AI
Press Cmd+K anywhere in your code and describe what you want to change in plain English. Cursor modifies the code directly, showing a diff you can accept or reject. This feels like the future of coding.
Chat with Context
The integrated chat knows about your current file, open tabs, and can be pointed at specific files or folders. It's like having a colleague who's read all your code.
Multi-File Editing
Describe a refactoring task and Cursor edits multiple files coherently. Rename a component and it updates all imports. Add a new field to a type and it propagates changes throughout.
Pricing Breakdown
Hobby (Free): 2000 completions, 50 slow premium requests/month
Pro ($20/month): Unlimited completions, 500 fast premium requests, unlimited slow requests
Business ($40/user/month): Admin dashboard, centralized billing, priority support
Pros and Cons
Pros
✅ Genuinely understands your codebase
✅ Natural language editing is transformative
✅ All VS Code extensions work
✅ Multi-file editing saves hours
✅ Fast and responsive
Cons
❌ Learning curve for new workflows
❌ Premium requests can run out on complex projects
❌ Occasionally generates incorrect code
❌ Some VS Code features are slightly different
Final Verdict: 4.8/5
Cursor represents a genuine paradigm shift in how we write code. After using it daily for months, going back to vanilla VS Code + Copilot feels limiting. The ability to converse with your codebase and edit with natural language isn't just convenient — it's a new way of thinking about development.
Should you switch? If you're a professional developer spending 4+ hours daily in an editor, absolutely yes. The $20/month pays for itself in time savings within the first week.