Hello, Cursor

1. Hello, Cursor

Hi, and welcome to Software Development with Cursor!

2. AI-powered code editor

Cursor is an AI-powered code editor that feels familiar yet works fundamentally differently: it understands our codebase and helps us code faster through natural language. We describe what we want to build or change, and Cursor helps us plan, predict, or refactor the code.

3. In this course

By the end of this course, we’ll be able to use Cursor as a true coding partner. We’ll explore how to: Collaborate effectively with AI using prompts, rules, and context. Write, refactor, test, and debug code. Set up smart workflows. Protect sensitive data, and even Scale to large, complex codebases using MCP.

4. What makes Cursor different?

Cursor looks and feels like VS Code, but it’s built around something deeper — the developer-AI loop, which follows a sequence of prompting, coding, testing, and refining.

5. What makes Cursor different?

To start using it: We first describe what we want in plain language. Cursor generates or edits our code. We test it, refine our prompt, and the AI improves with each pass. With each loop, it gets better at matching our intent. This way, we’re no longer fighting with autocomplete — we’re collaborating with an AI that learns how we’re thinking.

6. Get started!

Getting started is easy. First, we head to cursor.com and download the installer for our operating system. We sign up with GitHub or Google to sync our setup. If we’re not logged in, Cursor will prompt us to create an account the first time we launch it.

7. Get started!

Cursor is a standalone application, so installation is required.

8. Get started!

It offers different plans, and the Free tier is ideal for exploration. We can upgrade later to access more credits or advanced features.

9. Get started!

When we first open Cursor, it will ask to import our VS Code settings — including themes, extensions, and preferences — so we can start coding right away.

10. Exploring the interface

At first glance, Cursor looks nearly identical to VS Code, with: File Explorer on the left, Terminal window at the bottom, and Code editor in the center.

11. Exploring the interface

But if we look closer at the right panel, we’ll see the Cursor Agent, our main chat interface with the AI assistant that makes it different. We can press Cmd or Ctrl + I to open or close it.

12. Exploring the interface

From there, we can: Ask it to explain, fix, or refactor code. Generate new logic or run commands. Switch between different models. Choose between Ask, Plan, and Agent modes — which we’ll cover in the upcoming lessons.

13. Exploring the interface

We can also open the Focus Agent window to use the agent in isolation

14. Exploring the interface

or access Cursor Settings from the top-right corner of the agent panel.

15. Let's practice!

Before diving deeper into Cursor’s features, let’s put what we’ve learned so far into practice.

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