How to Use Cursor AI: A Complete Guide for Developers

Today, we’re diving into Cursor AI, an AI-powered coding assistant that has the potential to revolutionize the way you approach development. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer looking to enhance your workflow—be it writing, editing, or optimizing code—Cursor AI offers a robust set of features to assist you. By the end of this guide, you will have a complete 360° understanding of how to leverage Cursor AI as a code editing software.

Getting Started with Cursor AI

Before we explore the features, it’s important to ensure that you have downloaded Cursor AI. If you haven’t done so yet, it’s free to try, and you can find the download link in the description below.

Planning Your Project

Before you start using Cursor AI, it’s crucial to have a well-thought-out plan. Navigating AI-generated code can be tricky if your prompts are too vague. The more detailed and specific your request is, the better the outcome.

For example, if you ask for a “fitness app” or an “online business website” without specifying functionalities or design preferences, the generated code might not align with your vision. To avoid this, sketch out a rough UI or write down a few key features you want your application to have. This will help you stay on track throughout the coding process.

Enabling and Using the Composer Feature

One of Cursor AI’s most powerful tools is the Composer Feature. To enable it:

1. Navigate to File > Preferences > Cursor Settings
2. Click on Features
3. Locate the section labeled Chats and Composer
4. Check or uncheck options as needed to customize your experience

Once enabled, you can access the Composer View by pressing Ctrl + I on Windows or Command + I on Mac.

Why Use the Composer Feature?

The Composer Feature allows you to:

• Edit multiple files at once
• Generate new files
• Make large-scale changes across your project
• Streamline development for complex applications

For example, if you’re developing a fitness app where users can select a workout based on their mood (energized, stressed, tired), the Composer Feature can help generate the necessary code files, including frontend (JavaScript, HTML, CSS) and backend (Express.js with SQLite for data storage).

Organizing Your Workspace

A common mistake among beginners is working in the default folder, which can make it difficult to locate files later. Instead, create a dedicated project folder:

1. Click File > Open Folder
2. Create and select a new folder on your desktop
3. Open it in Cursor AI

This helps keep your work organized and prevents accidental file loss.

Using Cursor AI for Code Generation

Once your project is set up, you can prompt Cursor AI with detailed instructions. For example:

“I want to create a fitness app that suggests workouts based on the user’s mood. Use Express for the backend, SQLite for storing routines, and Tailwind for styling the frontend.”

Upon submission, Cursor AI will generate the necessary files and provide recommendations. Although it doesn’t execute terminal commands, it can structure your code efficiently.

Chat Window for Code Assistance

Cursor AI includes a Chat Window, which allows for real-time interaction with your codebase.

How to Use the Chat Window

1. Open the Chat Tab next to the Composer Tab
2. Ask questions about specific files
3. Upload files, images, or documents for better context

For example, if you need to modify workout routines, simply type:

“Can you add more unique workout routines?”

Cursor AI will generate new code and highlight changes before applying them. Unlike ChatGPT, which requires manual copying and pasting, Cursor AI integrates changes directly into your files.

Fine-Tuning Code via Chat

If you’re not satisfied with the generated code, you can provide feedback:

“I don’t like this routine. Replace it with another option.”

The AI will update the code accordingly, making it easier to refine your project.

Searching Through Your Codebase

Large projects can become difficult to navigate. Cursor AI offers a Codebase Search Feature to quickly locate specific files or functions.

• Press Enter to activate the search
• Use Ctrl + Enter (Windows) or Command + Enter (Mac) to refine searches
• Click the Codebase Button to browse all indexed files

For example, if you need to find where workout routines are stored, simply search “Where are my workout routines?” Cursor AI will provide links to relevant files.

Inline Completions for Faster Coding

Cursor AI supports inline code completion, helping you write code faster.

Example: Adding a Select Box

If you start typing <select>, Cursor AI will predict and complete the entire block.

• Press Tab to accept the suggestion
• Modify the output if needed (e.g., changing “Mood Select” to “Time Select”)
• Add options for different days of the week: Monday to Sunday

If you want to tweak existing code, highlight it and use:

• Ctrl + I to chat about the changes
• Ctrl + K to open the inline editor

This allows you to quickly adjust, delete, or refine sections of your code without disrupting your workflow.

Converting Images into Code

One of Cursor AI’s standout features is its ability to generate HTML code from images.

How to Convert an Image to Code

1. Upload an image (e.g., a pricing section from a website)
2. Ask:
   

   “Can you generate an HTML file that looks like this?”

3. Cursor AI will generate the corresponding HTML structure
4. Save it as a new file (e.g., pricing.html)
5. Apply the suggested code and preview it in a browser

While the generated code might need minor adjustments, it significantly speeds up UI development.

Final Recap

• Composer Feature: Ideal for generating multiple files and making large-scale changes
• Chat Window: Provides real-time assistance, explanations, and context-aware edits
• Codebase Search: Helps quickly locate specific files or functions
• Inline Completions: Speeds up coding with AI-generated suggestions
• Image-to-Code: Converts images into HTML structures

Conclusion

Cursor AI is a powerful tool for both beginners and experienced developers, offering seamless code generation, real-time chat assistance, and efficient project management. By integrating AI into your workflow, you can significantly improve productivity and streamline development.

If you found this guide helpful, let us know your thoughts in the comments. How do you plan to use Cursor AI in your projects?