Cursor

The optional editor, for when you want to watch the code happen.

Cursor is the optional third tool: a full code editor (VS Code's bones) with AI woven through it. You don't need it to ship, since the agents above are complete on their own. You'll want it the day you get curious about what's actually inside your project folder, because Cursor makes the invisible visible: the file tree, the changes, the diffs, all live as the agent works.

Getting it

Download from cursor.com (Mac and Windows), sign up inside the app, and take the Pro plan ($20/month) if you plan to use its AI seriously. During first-run setup, accept the defaults, with one exception: install the “Open Cursor from Terminal” command when offered.

The three ways in

• –Tab is autocomplete that predicts your next edit. You'll meet it the moment you type in a file.
• –Inline edit (Cmd+K) lets you select some code, describe a change, and watch it happen in place.
• –Agent (Cmd+I) is the full describe-a-feature experience, with checkpoints you can roll back. Cursor's own plan mode lives here too (Shift+Tab).

A first thing to try once you have a project open:

Explain this codebase to me: the main entry points, the key files, and where the styling lives. Then suggest three small, safe improvements.

The combo move

The setup a lot of our regulars land on: Cursor open for visibility, with Claude Code or Codex running inside Cursor's built-in terminal (View → Terminal) doing the heavy lifting. Same folder, same files, and the editor shows you what the agent is doing in real time. Best of both, one window.

AI Clubhouse · Vibe Coding Guide