As AI continues to permeate the software development industry, it is becoming increasingly important to separate the truly exceptional options from the thousands of run-of-the-mill pieces of kit. To paraphrase Orwell, all AI-powered tools are equal, but some AI-powered tools are more equal than others. This perhaps holds true the most when we consider coding tools that have been given the AI treatment.  

These AI-powered coding tools are transforming how developers approach their work. From enhancing code suggestions to automating repetitive tasks, the tools in question are helping developers code faster and with fewer errors to boot. Among the latest innovations in this space, which includes the highly popular GitHub Copilot, Cursor AI stands out. As an AI-first IDE, Cursor provides developers with a cohesive environment where AI-driven assistance is not an afterthought but a fundamental component.

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What is Cursor AI?

The Cursor AI IDE is designed to be an all-in-one AI-powered coding assistant, crafted to streamline the development process and elevate productivity. Cursor leverages many of the top LLM Models in the market, including OpenAI’s advanced o1 model, easily switching between these models with just a single click to deliver intelligent features that support developers at every step.

Here’s an overview of what Cursor brings to the table:

AI-Powered Autocomplete: Cursor's autocomplete isn’t just about finishing lines; it anticipates your needs, providing multi-line completions that fit your coding style and helping you get more done in less time.

• ‍Code Explanation and Debugging: With a built-in "Explain Code" feature, the Cursor IDE makes it easy to get context or clarify logic within complex code blocks. For debugging, Cursor AI not only suggests corrections but also helps explain the issues, making the debugging process more informative.
• ‍Code Generation: Cursor AI can generate code based on high-level prompts, turning natural language descriptions into functional code. This feature is particularly valuable for rapidly creating boilerplate code, data structures, or even entire functions with minimal input.
• ‍Refactoring and Code Optimization: Cursor’s AI-assisted refactoring tools allow developers to reorganize code across multiple files, rename variables, optimize functions, and improve overall code structure. These optimizations enable faster, more maintainable code without sacrificing clarity or quality.
• ‍Instant Contextual Referencing: With its smart referencing feature, Cursor enables you to pull information from documentation, project files, and external links, making it easy to add relevant details to prompts and generate more precise outputs. This contextual awareness enhances the accuracy of the AI's suggestions and helps keep your workflow uninterrupted.
• ‍Error Detection and Correction: The Cursor IDE’s error-handling capabilities are designed to catch mistakes as they happen, offering real-time suggestions to correct errors or improve code reliability. The IDE’s ability to proactively address errors saves time and reduces debugging efforts.

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With these advanced capabilities, Cursor IDE aims to support developers not only in writing and refactoring code but also in understanding, optimizing, and maintaining it. Each feature is designed with an eye toward streamlining workflows and enhancing developer productivity, making Cursor a uniquely powerful tool for both novice and experienced coders alike.

Why is Cursor AI Gaining Popularity?

Cursor’s functionality and ease of use have already set it apart, but recent developments have accelerated its rise to prominence. As mentioned earlier, backed by OpenAI’s o1 model, Cursor leverages the latest in AI advancements to offer exemplary coding assistance. Additionally, Anysphere, the startup behind the Cursor IDE tool raised $60 million in Series A funding in August 2024, led by the well-known venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. This funding round saw investments from some of the industry’s most influential leaders, including Google’s Jeff Dean, OpenAI’s John Schulman and Noam Brown, and the founders of Stripe and GitHub, among others. Those are some heavy hitters backing Cursor AI’s position as a serious competitor in the IDE landscape.

The combination of cutting-edge AI integration and significant financial backing should enable Cursor to continuously refine its offerings, delivering a coding environment that keeps pace with developers’ needs. As such, Cursor’s popularity is only expected to grow as more developers experience its capabilities firsthand.

Also read: Navigating the Generative AI Landscape with Auxiliary LLMs

An Engineer's Review of Cursor

Having recently adopted Cursor IDE, I’ve been thoroughly impressed by its feature set and performance. Here are some of the pros and cons based on my experience:

Pros

• ‍Smart Tab Feature: The tab feature is a game-changer, intuitively moving the cursor to where it’s needed next. It’s a small detail, but it adds up to a smoother, faster coding process.
• ‍Superior Suggestions: Cursor’s multi-line completions and suggestions are more advanced than GitHub Copilot’s, allowing for faster coding with fewer manual adjustments.
• ‍Quick Response Time: The AI suggestions are almost instantaneous, making the integration feel seamless and boosting overall productivity.
• ‍Contextual Referencing: With Cursor AI, referencing files, documentation, and even URLs while coding is simple, enhancing accuracy and making the process feel more intuitive.
• ‍Code Redundancy Handling: The Cursor IDE automatically removes outdated code as new suggestions come in, which keeps the workspace clean and efficient.
• ‍Efficient Refactoring: I’ve used Cursor to refactor multiple files simultaneously, including restructuring object orientated classes to significantly reduce complexity and code redundancies. A powerful feature that makes restructuring large codebases much faster and less error prone.

Cons

• ‍Larger Refactors Require Familiarity: For extensive refactoring, a certain level of familiarity with the code is still necessary. While Cursor’s AI is impressive, it doesn’t yet have the capacity to handle large-scale refactors with complete accuracy independently.

Where Can I Get Cursor AI?

Cursor is available for installation through its official website, where developers can find comprehensive setup instructions. Take a look at this detailed installation and review guide, which also offers insights into the installation process and features, making it easy to get started with this AI-powered IDE.

If you’re curious about more AI-powered tools that offer substance over fluff, make sure to check out the HTCD Cloud Security & Compliance SaaS. We use AI to cut down the task of vulnerability prioritization from hours to minutes, run detections in plain English rather than a battery of query languages, and much more. Request a demo to see how we can help simplify your cloud security and compliance.

Also read: Say Hello to HTCD—The AI-first Cloud Security Solution

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