If you're a developer looking to supercharge your coding workflow with AI, you've probably heard of Cursor AI – the powerful AI-first code editor built to accelerate your productivity. Naturally, one of the most common questions is:
"Can I integrate Cursor AI with Visual Studio Code?"
Let's explore that – and why Cursor might already be everything you need.
☝️First, a Clarification: Cursor is Visual Studio Code… with superpowers.
Here's the thing: Cursor AI isn't just a plugin or an extension for VS Code – it's a custom fork of the open-source Visual Studio Code project. That means:
- Same user interface
- Same keybindings and command palette
- Same file management and extensions
- BUT: With deeply integrated AI functionality built in
You don't need to "integrate" Cursor into VS Code — Cursor is VS Code, just upgraded.
Common Misconception
Many developers initially think of Cursor as a plugin or extension they can add to their existing VS Code setup. In reality, it's a completely separate application based on VS Code's codebase but with AI capabilities integrated at a fundamental level.
🚀What Cursor AI Adds on Top of VS Code
When you use Cursor, you're working in a VS Code-like environment, plus:
Inline AI Code Suggestions
Get intelligent code completions and suggestions powered by models like GPT-4 and Claude as you type, accelerating your development workflow.
Natural Language Commands
Simply describe what you want to do in plain English, and Cursor will handle the code editing, debugging, and refactoring for you.
Codebase-Aware Chat
Ask questions about your specific project structure and codebase, and get contextually relevant answers tailored to your project.
Shadow Workspaces
Experiment with code changes in isolated environments without affecting your main codebase, providing a safe sandbox for testing ideas.
Multiple AI Models
Switch between different AI models like GPT-4, Claude, and Gemini, or have them collaborate to get the best results for different coding tasks.
🧭Installing Cursor AI – Step-by-Step
While you don't "install" it into VS Code, you can set up Cursor on your machine easily:
Go to the official website
Visit https://www.cursor.sh to access the latest version of Cursor AI.
Download the app for your platform
Cursor is available for MacOS, Windows, and Linux operating systems.
Install it just like VS Code
The installation process is straightforward, similar to installing Visual Studio Code.
Log in and choose your preferred AI model
Select from GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, or other available models based on your preferences.
Open your project folder and start working as usual
The familiar VS Code interface makes the transition seamless.
It looks and feels like VS Code – but you'll immediately notice the difference once you hit ⌘+K or type natural language prompts like:
- "Refactor this into reusable components"
- "Find the performance bottleneck in this function"
- "Explain this code to a junior developer"
🔁Can I still use my VS Code extensions?
Yes! Cursor supports many (but not all) VS Code extensions. Some advanced features may require slight adjustments, but most popular extensions (like Prettier, ESLint, GitLens, etc.) work out of the box.
Extension Compatibility
Most commonly used VS Code extensions are fully compatible with Cursor, including:
- Code formatting tools (Prettier, ESLint)
- Git integration tools (GitLens, Git Graph)
- Language support extensions (for TypeScript, Python, Rust, etc.)
- Theme and icon packs
- Language servers and IntelliSense providers
🎯Why Developers Are Switching
Cursor AI is becoming a favorite among power users, especially those working with:
-
Large codebases
-
High-speed prototyping
-
Test-driven development
-
AI-powered refactoring and documentation
It cuts down on mental overhead and helps you focus on what you want to build, rather than how to type it.
✨Bonus: Supercharge Cursor with MultipleChat
If you love AI-assisted coding, check out MultipleChat AI — a platform that lets you:
-
Use latest versions of ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini together
-
Send the same prompt to multiple models
-
Verify, rephrase or improve answers collaboratively
-
Let different AI models work as a team with CollabAI
Perfect for coding, research, and AI workflows that need more than one opinion.
Enhance Your AI Coding Experience
Combine Cursor AI with MultipleChat for the ultimate developer productivity stack.
More perspectives. Better code. Faster development.
✅Summary
-
You don't integrate Cursor into VS Code – Cursor is a VS Code fork
-
You get all the features you love from VS Code, plus native AI tools
-
Setup is easy – download, log in, and code
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Combine it with MultipleChat AI for even deeper productivity boosts