Download Cursor AI for macOS, Windows, or Linux and start coding with the most advanced AI-integrated development environment available. Cursor is built on VS Code's open-source core, so every extension, theme, and keybinding you already use transfers in one click. What makes Cursor different is the native AI layer: Tab completions predict multi-line edits before you type them, Composer rewrites entire file trees from natural language, and agent mode autonomously builds features, runs tests, and iterates on errors.
The download is free. The Hobby plan is free forever — no credit card, no trial expiration. When you need unlimited completions and premium model access, Cursor Pro starts at $20/month. Over one million developers have already downloaded Cursor to ship code faster with Claude, GPT, and Gemini models built directly into their editor.
Download Cursor Now View PlansEvery Cursor download includes the complete AI feature set. Plan selection determines usage limits, not feature availability. Here is what each AI feature does and how it fits into your development workflow.
Tab completions predict multi-line code edits as you type. The AI reads your imports, function signatures, and surrounding context to suggest entire code blocks — not just single tokens. Accept with Tab, dismiss with Escape, partial-accept with Ctrl+Right. Unlimited on Pro and above.
Composer edits multiple files from a single natural language instruction. Describe a feature and Composer modifies routes, models, tests, and configs simultaneously. Every change appears as a diff preview. Accept, reject, or edit individual changes before applying. The defining feature of Cursor's AI-first approach.
Agent mode autonomously writes code, creates files, runs terminal commands, installs packages, executes tests, and iterates on errors. Describe a task, agent mode plans the implementation and executes each step. Monitor progress in the chat panel. Pause or intervene at any point.
@codebase indexes your entire project for context-aware answers. Ask "how does the auth middleware work?" and Cursor searches your codebase semantically. Reference specific files with @filename. No copy-pasting code into external tools.
All AI features are available on every plan. The difference is usage volume. This table shows what each plan unlocks when you download Cursor AI and create an account.
| AI Feature | Hobby (Free) | Pro ($20/mo) | Pro+ ($60/mo) | Ultra ($200/mo) | Teams ($40/user) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tab Completions | Limited | Unlimited (0 credits) | Unlimited (0 credits) | Unlimited (0 credits) | Unlimited (0 credits) |
| Auto Mode | Limited | Unlimited (0 credits) | Unlimited (0 credits) | Unlimited (0 credits) | Unlimited (0 credits) |
| Premium Model Selection | Not available | From $20 pool | From $60 pool | From $200 pool | From $40/user pool |
| Composer | Limited | Full access | Full access | Full access | Full access |
| Agent Mode | Limited requests | Extended | 3x credits | 20x credits | Pro-equivalent |
| @Codebase Chat | Limited | Full access | Full access | Full access | Full access |
| MCP Servers | Not available | Full access | Full access | Full access | Full access |
| Cloud Agents | Not available | Available | Available | Available | Available |
| Models Available | Auto only | Claude, GPT, Gemini | Claude, GPT, Gemini | All + priority access | Claude, GPT, Gemini |
| VS Code Extensions | All | All | All | All | All |
Cursor installs in under five minutes on any platform. The process is designed to get you coding with AI features as quickly as possible.
Download the .dmg file for Intel or Apple Silicon Macs. macOS 10.15 Catalina or later is required. Open the disk image, drag Cursor to the Applications folder, and launch. Cursor is notarized by Apple — Gatekeeper will not block installation. The first launch prompts VS Code settings import. Apple Silicon Macs run the native ARM build for optimal performance and battery life. The application uses approximately 500MB of disk space.
Download the .exe installer for Windows x64 or ARM. Windows 10 or later is required. Run the installer, accept the license, and choose the installation directory. Cursor adds itself to the system PATH for terminal access. The installer detects VS Code and offers settings import. Windows Defender recognizes the Authenticode-signed installer as safe. For portable installation, download the .zip archive and extract to any directory.
Download the AppImage (universal) or .deb package (Ubuntu, Debian). The AppImage runs on any Linux distribution — make it executable with chmod +x and launch. The .deb package installs via dpkg -i or your package manager. Supported distributions include Ubuntu 18.04+, Debian 10+, Fedora 32+, and Arch Linux. VS Code settings import works the same across all platforms. See the documentation for additional Linux configuration.
From download to AI-assisted coding in five minutes. Follow these steps to maximize the value of your Cursor AI installation from day one.
On first launch, Cursor detects your VS Code installation. Click "Import" to transfer settings, extensions, themes, keybindings, and snippets. Create a free account with email, Google OAuth, or GitHub OAuth. The Hobby plan activates immediately — no credit card required. Students with .edu emails should sign up with their school email to claim the free year of Pro. Once logged in, open any project folder to start coding. Tab completions activate automatically.
Open Settings (Ctrl+Comma) to configure AI preferences. Auto mode is enabled by default — Cursor selects the optimal model per task. On paid plans, you can manually select models from the model dropdown in the chat panel. Set up Cursor Rules by creating a .cursorrules file in your project root. Configure MCP servers for external tool integration. Follow the structured tutorial for a guided learning path from basics to advanced agent workflows. Research from Stanford HCI Group shows that structured onboarding with AI coding tools increases adoption success by 45%.
Both options give you AI-assisted coding. The difference is architectural depth. Cursor's AI is built into the editor core, not added as an extension.
Multi-model support (Claude, GPT, Gemini vs. GPT-only). Native Composer for multi-file editing — Copilot's equivalent is still in preview. Built-in agent mode that runs terminal commands and iterates autonomously. @codebase indexing with semantic search. Credit-based pricing that lets you choose models per task. Privacy Mode that prevents code from being stored or used for training. The unified architecture means every AI feature shares context — completions, chat, and agent mode all understand the same codebase.
If you are committed to the official Microsoft VS Code brand, need specific Microsoft-exclusive extensions, or your organization mandates VS Code for compliance reasons, staying on VS Code with Copilot makes sense. Copilot is a strong single-model solution at $19/month. However, for developers who want multi-model access, multi-file editing, autonomous agent capabilities, and a credit pool that stretches further, Cursor provides more value per dollar. See the full IDE comparison.
Answers to the most common questions about downloading, installing, and setting up Cursor AI on your machine.
Every download includes Tab completions, Composer, agent mode, @codebase chat, and auto mode. The Hobby plan limits usage. Pro and above unlock unlimited Tab completions and expanded credit pools.
macOS 10.15+, Windows 10+, or Linux (Ubuntu 18.04+). ~500MB disk space. Internet required for AI features. Core editor features work offline. Intel, Apple Silicon, x64, and ARM architectures all supported.
On first launch, Cursor detects VS Code and offers one-click import of settings, extensions, themes, keybindings, and snippets. You can also import later from Settings. The import preserves your complete VS Code environment.
Get Cursor AI free for macOS, Windows, or Linux. Import your VS Code settings in one click. The Hobby plan starts immediately — no credit card. Over one million developers already ship code faster with AI Tab completions, Composer multi-file editing, and autonomous agent mode. Sign in to your account or create a new one after downloading.
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