What is Cursor AI? The Complete Guide to the AI Code Editor in 2026

Quick answer: Cursor is a code editor based on VS Code with integrated AI assistance for questions, editing, and agent tasks. Review the context it accesses, the permissions you grant, and the changes it proposes. Generated code still requires testing and security review.

By Daniel A · Kraftwire Software

· 6 min read

Cursor is a code editor based on Visual Studio Code with integrated AI assistance. Its Agent can use available context and tools to propose or apply changes. Capabilities depend on the selected mode, model, configuration, and permissions; vibe coding does not remove the need to review the result.

What Is Cursor AI And How Does It Work?

Check extension and theme compatibility when moving a VS Code project into Cursor. Review the permissions of installed extensions as well as the editor’s AI settings.

Cursor can search project context and use tools such as file editing and terminal commands. Indexing and retrieval do not mean every file is present in every model request or that the model understands every dependency.

Which Cursor Features Should You Explore?

Cursor provides several interaction modes; labels and shortcuts can vary by version and configuration.

  • Agent: Request changes across files and review proposed edits and tool actions.
  • Chat: Ask questions and provide relevant project context.
  • Inline editing: Request a change to selected code and inspect the diff.
  • Tab: Review completion and edit suggestions before accepting them.

Cursor AI vs VS Code 2026: Which Is Better?

Compare Cursor and VS Code using the workflows, extensions, permissions, and review controls your team needs. Neither editor establishes the security or quality of the generated application.

Cursor supports reusable instructions, including project rules. The legacy .cursorrules file is not a global security boundary; follow the current rules documentation and verify that the resulting code meets your requirements.

These live figures describe all scanned sites. They do not establish prevalence for an AI-built subgroup, compare development methods, or attribute findings to AI generation.

30% of the 119 live sites SimplyScan has scanned (36 sites) have at least one high or critical security issue.

How To Use Cursor AI For Beginners?

Start with a project you can review and test.

Import Settings

Use supported import options, then verify extensions, keybindings, and themes in the installed version.

Review Project Context

Review indexing, ignored files, and data-processing settings. Do not assume indexing stays local or that it guarantees accurate answers.

Select a Model

Review the models and limits available to your account.

Request a Small Change

Check the current keybindings; Cmd+I appears in older multi-file editing workflows. Request a bounded change and inspect the result.

Verify Security

Use a security checklist to investigate architecture risks before deployment, regardless of how the code was produced.

Is Cursor AI Safe For Professional Use?

Review Cursor’s current security and privacy documentation, account settings, and applicable terms for processing, retention, and training controls. Privacy Mode is not a claim that all processing is local or that no data is retained for any purpose.

Review the code produced and the deployed application separately from editor data-handling settings.

13% of the 119 live sites SimplyScan has scanned (15 sites) have at least one high-severity web-security issue, such as a missing Content-Security-Policy or HSTS header.

The SimplyScan MCP server exposes supported checks in compatible clients. Its header tool can inspect deployed responses; that does not verify every application control.

How To Download And Setup Cursor AI?

To install the editor, visit the official Cursor website and download the installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

Initial Configuration

Check the current account requirements and plan limits. Review .gitignore and Cursor’s separate context controls for sensitive .env files. Ignore rules do not erase committed secrets, prevent all tool access, or stop values entering a client build. See gitignore generator.

Enhancing The Workflow

Uptime monitoring can report supported availability failures; it does not establish that an application is uncompromised. A verified security badge links to a dated scan and eligibility state under the badge criteria, not proof that vulnerabilities are absent.

Why Should You Scan Your Cursor Apps?

Review generated code and deployed behavior with tests appropriate to the application. Investigate performance separately from security.

79% of the 119 live sites SimplyScan has scanned (94 sites) have at least one medium-severity speed issue, such as render-blocking scripts or no route-based code splitting.

Inspect the specific speed findings and measured resources before assigning a cause. The aggregate category does not measure whether route-based splitting is missing.

A free SimplyScan URL scan grades 8 dimensions, including security, speed, SEO, and AI visibility signals, without signup. Its advertised target is about 30 seconds; coverage depends on the target. Investigate supported secret findings and headers, then test behavior outside the scan’s coverage.

How Should You Review an Agent Workflow?

Assign bounded tasks, inspect diffs and tool actions, and test the result. Use AI code review guidance to examine security-sensitive changes.

Choose an editor for the requirements you can verify. Maintain secure development settings and review generated changes before deployment.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cursor AI just VS Code with a plugin?

Cursor is based on VS Code and integrates AI assistance into its editor workflows. Available context and editing behavior depend on the mode, settings, and permissions; integration does not mean the model sees or understands the entire project.

Is my code private when using Cursor AI?

Review current Privacy Mode settings and the provider’s data-processing terms, including retention and training controls. Do not assume all processing is local or use a setting as proof that no sensitive data is processed.

Does Cursor AI have a free version?

Check Cursor’s current pricing and account limits for available free and paid options; model access and allowances can change.

Can I build an app with Cursor if I don't know how to code?

You can request code changes in natural language, but you still need to evaluate implementation, configuration, and test results. For security-sensitive behavior, obtain review from someone who can assess the controls.

What is the Cursor Composer feature?

Composer has referred to Cursor’s multi-file generation workflow. Check current Agent documentation for the installed version; requesting a feature does not guarantee complete or correct changes across the project.

How do I check my Cursor app for security vulnerabilities?

The SimplyScan MCP server provides supported URL tools and selected-file analysis in compatible clients. Selected-file analysis requires a Pro API key, applies supported JavaScript/TypeScript code rules and secret checks, processes source in memory without an AI provider, and saves masked findings. It is not a complete audit.

Related guides

  • AI Code Security Tools in 2026 | Comparing Check Coverage · Compare security tools by the inputs they inspect, the checks they run, and the evidence they report. URL scans, source analysis, dependency checks, secret detection, and code review have different coverage. Combine relevant checks with tests of your application’s intended permissions.
  • Cursor Settings Guide for Secure Coding · Review Cursor’s data-sharing settings and tool permissions, keep unneeded credentials outside accessible context, and test generated authorization and input handling. Project instructions guide the assistant but do not enforce application controls. Inspect both the source changes and the deployed configuration.
  • How to Secure a SaaS App: Complete Security Guide · Protect tenant data through an explicit isolation model, authenticated and authorized operations, and appropriate resource limits. Review secret handling, browser protections, billing flows, and operational controls. This guide organizes technical checks; production readiness and legal obligations need assessment for your actual service.
  • Is Cursor Safe? What Developers Need to Know in 2026 · Assess editor permissions and data handling separately from application security. Review accessible files, generated code, deployed configuration, and tests before release. Project rules can communicate requirements, but they do not enforce secret isolation or establish that the resulting application is secure.

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