Cursor Tutorial: Guide to Setup, Usage, and Pro Tips

Cursor is a powerful code editor that’s been making waves in the developer community. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started with Cursor, including setup instructions, basic use cases, and advanced tips to help you maximize its potential.

Part 1: What is Cursor?

Cursor is a code editor designed to enhance your coding experience by providing intuitive features that integrate seamlessly with your workflow. It offers a familiar interface, especially if you’re accustomed to using VS Code, with additional features tailored for more efficient coding. From file management to advanced AI-powered code completion, Cursor is packed with tools that can significantly reduce the time you spend on coding tasks.

Part 2: Setting Up Cursor

Setting up Cursor is straightforward and user-friendly. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Download and Install Cursor: Head over to the Cursor website and download the application. The installation process is simple, and the best part? Cursor offers a generous free tier that you can use for an extended period. Many users, myself included, have found the free version more than sufficient for most needs before eventually upgrading to the pro version for additional features.
2. Explore the Interface: If you’re familiar with VS Code, you’ll feel right at home with Cursor. The left-hand side displays your file structure, and you can search, stage files, and access extensions in a layout very similar to VS Code. One of the key differences is the settings tab, where you can enable features like auto-complete, code indexing, and file exclusion to tailor Cursor to your specific needs.
3. Key Features to Configure:

• Auto-Complete: Enable this to allow Cursor to suggest code completions as you type.
• Code Indexing: This feature indexes your codebase to provide context-aware suggestions and queries. It’s particularly helpful for large projects where understanding the entire codebase at once can be challenging.
• File Exclusion: You can exclude sensitive or irrelevant files from being indexed by the AI to maintain privacy and reduce clutter in suggestions.

1. Additional Settings: Cursor also offers features in beta, such as long context models for handling large token windows. These can be particularly useful in complex projects.

Part 3: Basic Use Case Patterns

Now that you’ve set up Cursor, let’s dive into some basic use cases that showcase its capabilities:

1. Auto-Complete: This feature is incredibly intuitive. As you start typing a new endpoint or function, Cursor will suggest completions that you can easily insert with a tab. This reduces the amount of repetitive typing and speeds up the coding process.
2. Inline Edits: When you highlight a section of code, an edit icon appears, allowing you to make quick changes. For example, if you need to improve error handling, simply type your instructions, and Cursor will provide inline suggestions. You can accept changes individually or all at once.
3. Chat Feature: The chat feature is a powerful tool for making more complex changes. By selecting multiple files and asking Cursor to make changes across them, you can implement large-scale edits with ease. This is particularly useful for tasks like defining endpoints or modifying configurations that span multiple files.

Part 4: 5 Tips to Use Cursor Like a Pro

To help you get the most out of Cursor, here are five pro tips:

1. Master the Keyboard Shortcuts: Cursor’s keyboard bindings are similar to VS Code, but with a few differences. For instance, use Command + K for inline edits and Command + L for the chat feature. Familiarizing yourself with these shortcuts will save you time and make your workflow more efficient.
2. Optimize Code Edits: For small edits, use inline suggestions. For larger, more complex edits, utilize the chat feature. This dual approach allows you to handle both simple tweaks and comprehensive changes with ease.
3. Leverage Specific File Indexing: When using the chat feature, specify the files you want Cursor to focus on. This will improve the quality of the output, especially for complex changes that require context from multiple files.
4. Use Composer for Multi-File Edits: Composer allows you to write boilerplate code across multiple files simultaneously. This is ideal for tasks that require changes in several parts of your codebase, such as adding new features or updating dependencies.
5. Experiment with the Review Feature: Although still in beta, Cursor’s review feature can provide valuable insights into the state of your code. While it’s not yet fully polished, it’s worth exploring, especially as it continues to improve.

Conclusion

In just 10 minutes, you’ve learned how to set up Cursor, explored its basic features, and picked up some advanced tips to use it like a pro. Cursor is more than just a code editor — it’s a tool that can transform your coding workflow, making you more efficient and effective in your development projects.

If you found this guide helpful, stay tuned for our next article where we’ll cover using AI for PR reviews. And as always, if you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to drop a comment below. Happy coding!