How to Use Cursor (2026): A Practical Workflow From Setup to Reviewed Diff
The fastest way to learn Cursor is to stop thinking of it as a new editor and start using it as VS Code with an agent — because that's what it is, a VS Code fork. Your extensions and keybindings import in one step, so the learning curve isn't the editor; it's three AI surfaces (Tab, Chat, and the Agent) and one discipline (always review the diff). This guide walks the working loop on a real repository rather than touring every menu.
Step 1: Install and import your setup
Download Cursor from the official site and, during onboarding, choose to import from VS Code. This brings over your extensions, theme, keybindings, and settings, so the editor opens looking familiar. Open a real repository you know well — learning on a project you understand lets you judge whether the AI's suggestions are actually correct. Keep VS Code installed; nothing forces you to remove it, and running both in parallel while you learn is the low-risk move.
Step 2: The three AI surfaces
| Surface | What it does | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Tab | Inline autocomplete as you type | You're actively writing code |
| Chat | Repo-aware Q&A and targeted edits | You want to ask about or change specific code |
| Agent | Reads files, edits across the repo, runs tasks | You want to delegate a whole task |
Step 3: Run a bounded task with the Agent
The Agent is where Cursor earns its keep, and the way to use it well is to give it a narrow, verifiable job — not a vague wish. Describe the outcome, name the files or behavior to touch, and state how success is checked ("the tests pass," "this endpoint returns X"). A good first task is a small fix or a single new function in code you understand. Let the Agent read the repo, make its edits, and run the tests, then stop and review. Bounded tasks with clear done-conditions are what make an agent reliable; open-ended prompts are what make it wander.
Step 4: Review the diff — every time
This is the habit that separates useful AI coding from dangerous AI coding: read the diff before you accept it. Cursor returns changes as a reviewable diff for exactly this reason. Check that the change does what you asked, touches only what it should, and passes your tests. Treat the agent like a fast junior developer whose work you always review — not an oracle. Budget note: on Pro, agent usage runs on usage-based billing, so heavier agent work raises your bill; the review habit also keeps you aware of how much you're delegating.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start using Cursor?
Install Cursor from the official site, import your VS Code extensions and settings during onboarding, and open a repository you know well. Then use Tab for completions, Chat for repo-aware questions and edits, and the Agent for whole tasks. Start with one bounded task and always review the diff before accepting. Because Cursor is a VS Code fork, the editor itself will feel familiar immediately. Checked 2026-07-10.
What's the difference between Tab, Chat, and Agent in Cursor?
Tab is inline autocomplete while you type. Chat is repo-aware conversation for asking about code and making targeted edits. The Agent is the delegation surface: it reads files, edits across the repo, and runs tasks, returning a reviewable diff. Use Tab when writing, Chat for questions and small changes, and the Agent when you want to hand off a whole bounded task. Checked 2026-07-10.
How do I use Cursor's agent safely?
Give it bounded tasks with a clear done-condition, run it on code you understand, and always review the returned diff and run your tests before accepting. Treat the agent like a fast junior developer whose work you check, not an oracle. Start with low-risk tasks, and note that agent usage bills on a usage basis on Pro, so reviewing also keeps you aware of consumption. Checked 2026-07-10.
Bottom line: using Cursor well is three surfaces and one habit. Import your VS Code setup so the editor is instantly familiar, reach for Tab, Chat, or the Agent depending on whether you're writing, asking, or delegating, and review every agent diff before you accept it. Practice on the free Hobby tier with a repo you know, and let that decide whether the paid agent fits your workflow. Verify current features and pricing on the official site; this page dates its facts 2026-07-10.
Sources and evidence
Sources
- Cursor product siteChecked 2026-07-10Medium volatility
Use for Cursor being an AI-native editor built on VS Code with Tab autocomplete, repo-aware Chat, and an Agent; exact UI wording can change, so steps describe the workflow, not fixed labels.