Cursor · Module 01 of 6

Basics

Get productive in Cursor fast — the core edit loop and shortcuts.

2 lessons2 exercises
Topics & techniques

Getting started

Install, import VS Code settings, first AI edit.

1 card →
Knowledge card
Set Up Cursor Around One Real Task
Learning Cursor by opening a real repository, letting it index the codebase, and doing one small genuine task — rather than working through an abstract tutorial.
L1 · Basic prompts

Inline edit

The Cmd-K edit loop — the move you'll use most.

1 card →
Knowledge card
Master the Cmd-K Inline Edit Loop
Inline edit (Cmd-K / Ctrl-K) lets you select code, describe a change in plain language, and apply it in place as a reviewable diff — the fastest, most controlled way to use AI in Cursor.
L1 · Basic prompts
Cursor basics, explained

It's VS Code, with the AI moved inside

If you have used VS Code, Cursor will feel familiar on day one — it imports your extensions, themes, and keybindings. What changes is where the AI lives: instead of copying code out to a separate chat, the assistance happens inside the editor, aware of the file you are in and the project around it. The quickest way to feel the difference is to stop pasting into a chatbot and start editing in place. That shift, more than any single feature, is what Cursor is for.

Learn inline edit first

The move you will use most is inline edit — select some code, describe the change, and let Cursor rewrite it in place with full awareness of the surrounding file. It is faster than round-tripping through a chat window and keeps you in flow. Pair it with tab-completion that understands your current file, and you have the core loop. Everything more advanced in Cursor — rules, indexing, the agent — builds on this foundation, so it is worth getting comfortable here first.

The basics topics to explore

This section covers getting started (install, import your VS Code setup, first AI edit) and inline edit (the Cmd-K loop you will lean on daily). Work through the cards below to build the core habits before moving to the agent.

Frequently asked
How do I start using Cursor?

Install Cursor, import your VS Code settings when prompted, and try an inline edit — select some code and describe the change. It feels like the editor you know, so the learning is about the AI features, not the interface.

Is Cursor just VS Code with AI?

It is built on VS Code and imports your extensions and settings, but the AI is integrated into the editor rather than bolted on — aware of your files and project. That in-editor context is the real difference from using a separate chatbot.

What is inline edit in Cursor?

Inline edit lets you select code, describe a change, and have Cursor rewrite it in place with awareness of the surrounding file. It is the fastest, most-used move in Cursor and the foundation for everything more advanced.

Can I use my VS Code extensions in Cursor?

Yes. Cursor imports your extensions, themes, and keybindings, so your existing setup carries over and the editor feels immediately familiar. The getting-started cards below cover the import step.

Test yourself

Do you know the Cursor basics?

Four questions on getting started in Cursor and the Cmd-K inline edit loop you'll use more than anything else. No sign-up, instant score, and you can share how you did.

  1. Q1 What's the best way to evaluate Cursor when you first install it?
  2. Q2 What does the Cmd-K inline edit loop actually do?
  3. Q3 You've selected one function and typed an instruction about restructuring the whole file. What's wrong?
  4. Q4 The diff looks right at a glance. What should you do?
0 / 4 answered