TopolearnStarting with your familiar setup lets you focus on the AI features instead of rebuilding your editor.
Download Cursor from cursor.com/downloads. There are installers for macOS 12 or later (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Windows 10 or later; on Linux the docs recommend the apt or dnf package repositories, with an AppImage as an alternative. Open the app, sign in (a free account works to start) and open a project folder.
If you used VS Code, import your setup:
- Open Cursor Settings with Cmd+Shift+J (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+J (Windows/Linux), or from the Command Palette by typing "Cursor Settings".
- Go to General > Account and click Import under VS Code Import.
This copies extensions, themes, settings and keybindings. For a different machine or a partial import, use VS Code profiles: export one in VS Code ("Preferences: Open Profiles (UI)", then Export Profile) and import it in Cursor from the same screen.
Note that there are two settings screens. Cursor Settings holds AI features (models, Tab, rules, agents, indexing, privacy). The normal VS Code settings ("Preferences: Open Settings (UI)") hold editor options as usual.
A few differences from VS Code: Cursor tracks VS Code releases but may run a slightly older base version for stability, and its activity bar is horizontal by default to make room for the AI panel (set workbench.activityBar.orientation to vertical to change it).
First steps after installing: open a small project, press Cmd/Ctrl+I to open Agent and ask "explain this codebase: entry points, key modules, what to read first". It is a safe, read-only way to see how it works.
Example
1. Download from cursor.com/downloads, install, sign in, open a folder
2. Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+J -> Cursor Settings -> General -> Account
-> "VS Code Import" -> Import (extensions, themes, settings, keybindings)
3. Optional: Command Palette -> "Preferences: Open Profiles (UI)" -> Import Profile
4. Cmd/Ctrl+I -> "Explain this codebase. Point me to the main entry points,
key modules, and anything I should read before making changes."Remember
- Install from cursor.com/downloads and sign in
- Cursor Settings > General > Account > Import brings your VS Code setup
- Cursor Settings (AI) is separate from the regular editor settings
Watch out for
- Looking for AI options in the regular VS Code settings screen instead of Cursor Settings.