What Is Cursor? A Beginner's Guide to the AI-Powered Code Editor — Features and How to Use It [2026 Edition] | AI Friends (@aifriends)

What you'll learn in this article:

The basic features and characteristics of Cursor
How to write code using AI
The difference between the free and paid plans
Concrete how-to steps that even beginners can follow
Who Cursor is best suited for

What Is Cursor?

Cursor is a programming editor that lets AI write code alongside you. An editor is essentially a specialized notepad for writing programs.

Developed by Anysphere, a U.S.-based company, Cursor is used by developers around the world as of April 2026. Because it is built on top of the popular editor Visual Studio Code (VS Code), you can get started with a familiar feel.

What sets it apart from traditional editors is that the AI understands your intent and suggests or writes code for you — as if you had a programming tutor sitting right next to you.

What You Can Do with Cursor

Cursor is packed with convenient features to assist you with coding. Here are five of the main ones.

1. AI Code Completion (Cursor Tab)
Cursor predicts what you are about to write and automatically suggests code for you.

For example, if you start typing "a function to retrieve user information," the AI will suggest the entire code block.

Because it can suggest multiple lines at once, your working speed increases significantly.

2. Code Generation via Chat
Press Ctrl+L or Ctrl+K to open the chat panel.

Simply type instructions in plain language — such as "I want to create a login screen" or "Make this function faster" — and code will be generated for you.

Even programming beginners can turn their ideas into code just by describing what they want.

3. Understanding the Entire Project (Codebase Answers)
In large projects, it can be hard to remember where everything is. With Cursor's Codebase Answers feature, you can simply ask "Where is the user authentication written?" and it will point you to the right place.

4. Real-Time Error Detection and Fixes
Even if an error appears while you are writing code, the AI automatically finds it and presents a fix. Even if you don't understand what an error message means, Cursor will explain how to resolve it — so you can work with confidence.

5. Batch Editing Across Multiple Files (Composer 2.0)
Version 3.0, released in 2026, added Composer 2.0, which lets you instruct the AI to make changes across multiple files at once. For example, if you say "Rename the function getCwd to getCurrentWorkingDirectory in all files," the AI will automatically edit every file for you.

How to Use Cursor (Step-by-Step for Beginners)

Here are five steps to get started with Cursor.

Step 1: Download from the Official Website
Go to the official Cursor website (cursor.com) and download the free version. It works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Step 2: Install and Launch
Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install. When you launch it for the first time, you will be asked to create an account (email address only) — go ahead and register.

Step 3: Switch to Japanese (Optional)
The default language is English. If you want to use Japanese, install the "Japanese Language Pack for Visual Studio Code." Just type "Japanese" in the extensions search bar and you'll find it.

Step 4: Try Asking the AI Something
Press Ctrl+L on your keyboard to open the chat panel.

Try typing: "Write code in Python that prints Hello World."

Code will be generated immediately.

Step 5: Edit the Code
Select the code the AI generated and press Ctrl+K.

Tell it: "Add comments to this code," and the AI will add explanations for you.

You complete your code through this kind of back-and-forth conversation.

Pros and Cons of Cursor

Pros

Even beginners can have AI write code for them just by giving instructions in plain language
You can switch between multiple AI models (GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini, etc.)
Because it understands the entire project, it can handle large-scale development
Said to be 30% faster than GitHub Copilot (another AI coding tool)
VS Code extensions work as-is, so you can make the most of your existing setup

Cons

The free plan has usage limits (2,000 code completions per month, 50 premium requests)
The paid plan (Pro) costs $20/month (approx. ¥2,800), twice the price of GitHub Copilot ($10/month)
Because it is VS Code–based, it cannot be used with other editors (IntelliJ, Vim, etc.)
AI-generated code is not always correct, so review is necessary
An internet connection is required; it cannot be used offline

Who Cursor Is Best For

Cursor is especially recommended for the following types of people:

Programming beginners: Because you can give instructions in plain language and the AI writes the code, you don't need to have memorized all the syntax.
Solo developers and freelancers: If you are juggling multiple projects on your own, AI assistance can dramatically cut down on working time.
Engineers on large-scale projects: Composer 2.0, which lets you make batch changes across multiple files, is a huge help.
People who want to learn new technologies: Even with programming languages or frameworks you don't know, you can learn by asking the AI.
Teams looking to streamline code reviews: Because the AI flags problems in the code, you can reduce the time spent on reviews.

On the other hand, Cursor may not be the right fit for people who need to work completely offline or who prefer not to pay a monthly fee. In that case, consider other tools such as GitHub Copilot.

Summary

Cursor is a programming editor where AI writes code alongside you
Even beginners can generate code just by giving instructions in plain language
Even on the free plan, you can try all Pro plan features ($20/month) for two weeks
You can switch between multiple AI models, and it understands your entire project
It costs more than GitHub Copilot, but it excels in speed and features
Especially recommended for large-scale development, solo developers, and beginners

As of April 2026, Cursor is a fast-growing service with annual recurring revenue exceeding $2 billion.

It has also earned a track record of being used by 60% of major corporations, including OpenAI and AB InBev.

If you want to boost your programming efficiency, why not start with the free plan?

This article is a cross-post from AI Friends.

What you'll learn in this article:

The basic features and characteristics of Cursor
How to write code using AI
The difference between the free and paid plans
Concrete how-to steps that even beginners can follow
Who Cursor is best suited for

What Is Cursor?

Cursor is a programming editor that lets AI write code alongside you. An editor is essentially a specialized notepad for writing programs.

What sets it apart from traditional editors is that the AI understands your intent and suggests or writes code for you — as if you had a programming tutor sitting right next to you.

What You Can Do with Cursor

Cursor is packed with convenient features to assist you with coding. Here are five of the main ones.

1. AI Code Completion (Cursor Tab)
Cursor predicts what you are about to write and automatically suggests code for you.

For example, if you start typing "a function to retrieve user information," the AI will suggest the entire code block.

Because it can suggest multiple lines at once, your working speed increases significantly.

2. Code Generation via Chat
Press Ctrl+L or Ctrl+K to open the chat panel.

Simply type instructions in plain language — such as "I want to create a login screen" or "Make this function faster" — and code will be generated for you.

Even programming beginners can turn their ideas into code just by describing what they want.

How to Use Cursor (Step-by-Step for Beginners)

Here are five steps to get started with Cursor.

Step 1: Download from the Official Website
Go to the official Cursor website (cursor.com) and download the free version. It works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Step 4: Try Asking the AI Something
Press Ctrl+L on your keyboard to open the chat panel.

Try typing: "Write code in Python that prints Hello World."

Code will be generated immediately.

Step 5: Edit the Code
Select the code the AI generated and press Ctrl+K.

Tell it: "Add comments to this code," and the AI will add explanations for you.

You complete your code through this kind of back-and-forth conversation.

Pros and Cons of Cursor

Pros

Even beginners can have AI write code for them just by giving instructions in plain language
You can switch between multiple AI models (GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini, etc.)
Because it understands the entire project, it can handle large-scale development
Said to be 30% faster than GitHub Copilot (another AI coding tool)
VS Code extensions work as-is, so you can make the most of your existing setup

Cons

The free plan has usage limits (2,000 code completions per month, 50 premium requests)
The paid plan (Pro) costs $20/month (approx. ¥2,800), twice the price of GitHub Copilot ($10/month)
Because it is VS Code–based, it cannot be used with other editors (IntelliJ, Vim, etc.)
AI-generated code is not always correct, so review is necessary
An internet connection is required; it cannot be used offline

Who Cursor Is Best For

Cursor is especially recommended for the following types of people:

Programming beginners: Because you can give instructions in plain language and the AI writes the code, you don't need to have memorized all the syntax.
Solo developers and freelancers: If you are juggling multiple projects on your own, AI assistance can dramatically cut down on working time.
Engineers on large-scale projects: Composer 2.0, which lets you make batch changes across multiple files, is a huge help.
People who want to learn new technologies: Even with programming languages or frameworks you don't know, you can learn by asking the AI.
Teams looking to streamline code reviews: Because the AI flags problems in the code, you can reduce the time spent on reviews.

On the other hand, Cursor may not be the right fit for people who need to work completely offline or who prefer not to pay a monthly fee. In that case, consider other tools such as GitHub Copilot.

Summary

Cursor is a programming editor where AI writes code alongside you
Even beginners can generate code just by giving instructions in plain language
Even on the free plan, you can try all Pro plan features ($20/month) for two weeks
You can switch between multiple AI models, and it understands your entire project
It costs more than GitHub Copilot, but it excels in speed and features
Especially recommended for large-scale development, solo developers, and beginners

As of April 2026, Cursor is a fast-growing service with annual recurring revenue exceeding $2 billion.

It has also earned a track record of being used by 60% of major corporations, including OpenAI and AB InBev.

If you want to boost your programming efficiency, why not start with the free plan?

This article is a cross-post from AI Friends.

What Is Cursor? A Beginner's Guide to the AI-Powered Code Editor — Features and How to Use It [2026 Edition]

What Is Cursor?

What You Can Do with Cursor

How to Use Cursor (Step-by-Step for Beginners)

Pros and Cons of Cursor

Who Cursor Is Best For

Summary

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What Is Cursor?

What You Can Do with Cursor

How to Use Cursor (Step-by-Step for Beginners)

Pros and Cons of Cursor

Who Cursor Is Best For

Summary