Overview
Cursor CLI is the command-line interface for Cursor’s AI coding assistant. Known for excellent UI/UX intuition and fast iteration cycles, perfect for frontend development.
Note : Cursor CLI is separate from the Cursor IDE. You can use the CLI without using the IDE!
Quick Start
Install Cursor CLI
npm install -g @cursor/cli
Authenticate
Opens browser for authentication with your Cursor account
Configure Forge
Edit .forge/config.json: {
"llms" : {
"cursor" : {
"enabled" : true ,
"workingDirectory" : "."
}
}
}
Test Connection
forge task create \
--title "Test Cursor" \
--description "Create a React button component" \
--llm cursor
Configuration
Basic Setup
{
"llms" : {
"cursor" : {
"enabled" : true ,
"workingDirectory" : "."
}
}
}
Advanced Configuration
{
"llms" : {
"cursor" : {
"enabled" : true ,
"workingDirectory" : "." ,
"model" : "claude-3.5-sonnet" , // Model via your Cursor subscription
"timeout" : 60000 ,
"context" : {
"includeOpenFiles" : true ,
"maxFiles" : 10
}
}
}
}
Which model to use through Cursor Options depend on your Cursor subscription:
claude-3.5-sonnet (recommended)
gpt-4-turbo
gpt-3.5-turbo
Base directory for Cursor operations
Cursor’s Strengths
UI/UX Intuition
Cursor excels at frontend work:
forge task create \
--title "Create user profile card" \
--description "
Build a user profile card component with:
- Avatar image
- Name and bio
- Social links
- Follow button
Make it responsive and accessible.
" \
--llm cursor
Result : Cursor creates beautiful, accessible UI with proper ARIA labels, responsive design, and smooth animations.
Rapid Iteration
Fast feedback loops:
# Initial version
forge task create "Add dark mode toggle" --llm cursor
# Quick iteration
forge task fork 1 --llm cursor \
--description "Make it smoother with animation"
# Another iteration
forge task fork 1 --llm cursor \
--description "Add system preference detection"
Context Awareness
Cursor understands your project structure:
forge task create \
--title "Add new API endpoint" \
--description "Create /api/users endpoint following existing patterns" \
--llm cursor
Cursor will:
Match your existing code style
Follow your project’s patterns
Use the same libraries and frameworks
Maintain consistency
Cursor’s Weaknesses
Less Depth on Algorithms
For complex algorithmic problems, use Claude or GPT-4:
# Better with Claude
forge task create \
--title "Implement optimal pathfinding algorithm" \
--llm claude # Not cursor
Subscription Required
Unlike API-based agents, Cursor requires an active subscription:
Plan Cost Features
Free $0/mo Limited requests Pro $20/mo 500 fast requests/mo Business $40/user/mo Unlimited + priority
Tied to Cursor Ecosystem
Requires Cursor account
Uses Cursor’s model selection
Can’t switch models without subscription change
Pricing
Cursor uses a subscription model, not pay-per-token:
Cursor Pro ($20/month):
├── 500 fast premium requests
├── Unlimited slow requests
├── Claude 3.5 Sonnet access
├── GPT-4 access
└── Priority support
Forge integration = No additional cost!
Unlike Claude/GPT-4 where you pay per token, Cursor’s flat rate can be more economical for heavy usage!
Best Use Cases
Frontend Development
forge task create \
--title "Build product listing page" \
--description "
Grid layout with:
- Product cards (image, title, price)
- Filters (category, price range)
- Sorting options
- Pagination
- Mobile responsive
" \
--llm cursor
Component Creation
forge task create \
--title "Create reusable modal component" \
--description "
Modal with:
- Backdrop click to close
- ESC key to close
- Focus trap
- Accessible (ARIA)
- Smooth animations
" \
--llm cursor
Styling & Polish
forge task create \
--title "Improve button hover states" \
--description "
Add smooth transitions and better visual feedback
to all buttons in src/components/
" \
--llm cursor
Integration with Forge
Using in Tasks
# Basic usage
forge task create "Add navigation bar" --llm cursor
# With specific instructions
forge task create \
--title "Refactor forms to use React Hook Form" \
--llm cursor \
--files "src/forms/**/*.tsx"
# With design reference
forge task create \
--title "Implement this design" \
--attach mockup.png \
--llm cursor
Combining with Other Agents
Use Cursor for UI, Claude for logic:
# Step 1: Claude designs the API
forge task create \
--title "Design GraphQL schema" \
--llm claude
# Step 2: Cursor builds the UI
forge task create \
--title "Build GraphQL query components" \
--llm cursor
Authentication
Initial Setup
# Login via browser
cursor auth login
# Verify authentication
cursor auth status
# Output:
# ✓ Logged in as user@example.com
# ✓ Pro subscription active
# ✓ 450/500 fast requests remaining
Checking Quota
# Check remaining requests
cursor quota
# Output:
# Fast requests: 450/500
# Resets: Jan 20, 2024
Re-authentication
If authentication expires:
# Logout
cursor auth logout
# Login again
cursor auth login
Troubleshooting
Error : “Please log in with cursor auth login”Solution :cursor auth logout
cursor auth login
Follow browser prompt to authenticate
Error : “Fast request quota exceeded”Options :
Wait for monthly reset
Use slow requests (automatic fallback)
Upgrade to Business plan
Use different agent:
forge task fork 1 --llm claude
Error : “cursor: command not found”Solution :# Reinstall
npm install -g @cursor/cli
# Verify installation
which cursor
# Check version
cursor --version
Issue : Cursor taking too longCauses :
Using slow requests (quota exceeded)
Large context window
Network latency
Solutions :
Check quota: cursor quota
Reduce context: use --files to limit scope
Wait for quota reset
Best Practices
Use for Frontend Cursor shines on UI/UX work:
Component creation
Styling and polish
Responsive design
Accessibility
Not ideal for: Algorithms, backend logic
Provide Visual References Cursor works well with mockups: forge task create \
--title "Build login page" \
--attach design.png \
--llm cursor
Visual context improves results
Monitor Quota Check usage regularly: Plan accordingly for quota limits
Iterate Quickly Use Cursor’s speed advantage: # Try, iterate, refine
forge task create "Add button" --llm cursor
forge task fork 1 --llm cursor \
--description "Add loading state"
forge task fork 1 --llm cursor \
--description "Add error state"
Cursor vs Other Agents
Feature Cursor Claude Gemini GPT-4
UI/UX ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ Backend ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Speed ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ Cost Subscription Per-token Free/Paid Per-token Context Project-aware 200K tokens 2M tokens 128K tokens
Choose Cursor for : Frontend, UI components, rapid iteration
Choose Claude for : Architecture, complex logic, security
Choose Gemini for : Speed, experimentation, cost
Choose GPT-4 for : General purpose, documentation
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Dashboard Component
forge task create \
--title "Build analytics dashboard" \
--description "
Create dashboard with:
- 4 stat cards (users, revenue, sessions, conversion)
- Line chart for trends
- Table with recent activity
- Responsive grid layout
- Dark mode support
Use Tailwind CSS and Recharts
" \
--llm cursor
Time : ~3 minutes
Quality : Professional, responsive, accessible
Cost : 1 fast request
forge task create \
--title "Create user profile edit form" \
--description "
Form with:
- Input fields: name, email, bio, avatar upload
- Validation (email format, required fields)
- Loading state during submission
- Success/error messages
- Accessible form controls
" \
--llm cursor
Time : ~2 minutes
Quality : Comprehensive validation, great UX
Cost : 1 fast request
Tips for Better Results
Be Specific About Design
# Good ✅
forge task create \
--title "Add pricing cards" \
--description "
3 pricing tiers (Basic, Pro, Enterprise)
- Vertical cards on mobile
- Horizontal comparison on desktop
- Highlight 'Pro' tier
- Include feature lists
- Use brand colors: #FF00FF, #00FFFF
" \
--llm cursor
# Bad ❌
forge task create \
--title "pricing page" \
--llm cursor
Reference Existing Patterns
forge task create \
--title "Add product modal" \
--description "
Similar to existing CartModal in src/components/CartModal.tsx
but for product details instead of cart
" \
--llm cursor
Specify Frameworks
forge task create \
--title "Add animation to hero section" \
--description "
Use Framer Motion for:
- Fade in on mount
- Stagger child elements
- Smooth scroll parallax
" \
--llm cursor
Next Steps