I Finally Tried The AI-Powered VS Code Killer | Cursor IDE Review

Introduction

After spending nine years in the coding world, my journey with IDEs has evolved significantly. I began with vim/neovim, then shifted to VS Code, and for the last two years, I’ve largely favored JetBrains IDEs, particularly WebStorm, focusing on full-stack web development. Recently, however, the buzz around Cursor, an AI-powered IDE built from the ground up, captured my interest. Initially skeptical about the hype, especially as a GitHub Copilot user, I decided to test Cursor for two weeks during its free trial. I walked away impressed, finding it superior to GitHub Copilot and other AI solutions out there.

In this article, I'll share my experience with Cursor and explain why I'm making the transition to it from JetBrains IDEs and VS Code, as well as some aspects I miss from JetBrains.

My Experience with Cursor

Cursor is fundamentally based on VS Code, making it familiar for existing VS Code users. Notably, you can seamlessly utilize your existing VS Code extensions within Cursor without issues. For those who are used to GitHub Copilot, Cursor offers a similar experience but with enhanced integrations.

Two significant improvements set Cursor apart from GitHub Copilot:

1. User Experience: The integration of AI within Cursor is snappy and intuitive. For instance, highlighting blocks of text allows for instant AI prompts using keyboard shortcuts (Command+K or Command+L) to generate or chat about code.
2. New AI Use Cases: Cursor efficiently predicts the next line of code in a project context, which is something GitHub Copilot doesn’t fully offer. For example, when refactoring code (like renaming a function), Cursor enables you to jump to all references of that function throughout your project with a simple prompt, updating them as you go. This feature significantly speeds up coding by reducing manual changes.

Code Completion in Action

To illustrate Cursor's capabilities, I worked with an open-source social media scheduling tool called Social Q. Here's a glimpse into my usage:

• I had a function for disabling accounts based on video duration. Initially focused on TikTok, I wanted similar logic for Instagram and YouTube. With a quick prompt using Command+K, Cursor generated the corresponding logic seamlessly.
• I demonstrated the “tap to predict” functionality, where after coding, Cursor suggested jumping to references in the file when changing a function name, automating what could otherwise be tedious manual updates.

Any Drawbacks?

Despite these advantages, Cursor’s reliance on VS Code brings its own challenges. Managing VS Code extensions can be cumbersome, something I’ve previously expressed discontent about. JetBrains IDEs, on the other hand, come feature-rich out of the box, requiring minimal extensions. Cursor lacks some features that JetBrains IDEs excel at, such as:

• Superior Git UI: JetBrains offers a more intuitive Git interface compared to what’s available in VS Code.
• Enhanced Refactoring: JetBrains IDEs intelligently detect code references during refactoring, mitigating the risk of breaking changes within a codebase.

Ultimately, the ideal development environment for me would be a JetBrains IDE integrated with Cursor’s intuitive AI functionalities.

Conclusion

Cursor has fundamentally changed my coding workflow for the better. With its impressive AI features and efficient code prediction capabilities, I’m excited to fully switch over from my JetBrains IDE. I encourage you to try out Cursor and share your experiences!

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Keyword

Cursor, AI-powered IDE, VS Code, GitHub Copilot, JetBrains IDEs, code completion, user experience, code prediction, refactoring, Git UI.

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FAQ

1. What is Cursor?

   • Cursor is an AI-powered IDE designed to enhance coding efficiency through intelligent code prediction and seamless integration with existing tools.

2. How does Cursor compare to GitHub Copilot?

   • Cursor offers a superior user experience with quicker integrations and robust code prediction, especially during refactoring tasks, compared to GitHub Copilot.

3. Is Cursor based on VS Code?

   • Yes, Cursor is built on the VS Code framework, making it familiar for current VS Code users while adding advanced AI features.

4. What are some limitations of Cursor?

   • While Cursor excels in AI functionalities, it relies on managing VS Code extensions and lacks some built-in features offered by JetBrains IDEs, like advanced Git UI and refactoring tools.

5. How can I try Cursor?

   • Cursor offers a free trial period that you can take advantage of to explore its features before committing to a subscription.