AI BEGINNERCursor
Complete reference for Cursor AI editor - keyboard shortcuts, AI features, and configuration
12 min read
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Table of Contents
Essential Shortcuts
Core keyboard shortcuts for everyday use
AI Chat & Panel
Access AI features quickly
📄 Codebash
📄 Examplebash
💡 Ctrl+I is your main entry to AI features
⚡ Use Ctrl+L with selected code for context
🔍 Ctrl+Enter accepts all suggested changes
📌 Esc unfocuses the input field
chataishortcuts
Inline Edit (Ctrl+K)
Edit code directly with AI assistance
📄 Codebash
📄 Examplebash
💡 Ctrl+K is fastest for quick edits
⚡ Alt+Enter for instant code explanations
🔍 Full file edits for comprehensive changes
📌 Tab jumps between multiple edit locations
inlineeditrefactor
Tab Completion
AI-powered code completions
📄 Codebash
📄 Examplebash
💡 Tab learns from your coding patterns
⚡ Multi-line suggestions available
🔍 Auto-imports dependencies
📌 Predictive jumps across files
tabcompletionautocomplete
Context Management
Control what AI sees and references
Adding Context to Chat
Include relevant code and files
📄 Codebash
📄 Examplebash
💡 @ symbol references specific context
⚡ Ctrl+Enter searches entire codebase
🔍 Clipboard auto-formats as context
📌 Multiple files can be referenced at once
contextreferencesearch
Rules Configuration
Set persistent coding rules and patterns
📄 Codeyaml
📄 Exampleyaml
💡 Rules persist across all conversations
⚡ Project rules override user rules
🔍 Globs target specific file patterns
📌 AGENTS.md for simple rule lists
rulesconfigurationcontext
Memories
AI learns from your conversations
📄 Codebash
📄 Examplebash
💡 Memories improve AI responses over time
⚡ Project-specific learning
🔍 Review memories in settings
📌 Explicit approval before saving
memorieslearningcontext
AI Models & Configuration
Configure AI providers and models
Model Selection
Choose and switch between AI models
📄 Codebash
📄 Examplebash
💡 Different models excel at different tasks
⚡ Auto mode intelligently selects models
🔍 200k token context (~15,000 lines)
📌 Privacy mode for sensitive code
modelsaiconfiguration
API Key Configuration
Use your own API keys
📄 Codebash
📄 Examplebash
💡 Use custom keys for unlimited usage
⚡ Azure/AWS for enterprise compliance
🔍 Keys verified before activation
📌 Reasoning models require Cursor subscription
apikeysconfiguration
Agent Mode
Autonomous AI coding assistant
Using Agent Mode
Let AI complete complex tasks autonomously
📄 Codebash
📄 Examplebash
💡 Agent works autonomously
⚡ Creates checkpoints for rollback
🔍 Reviews changes before applying
📌 Can execute terminal commands
agentautonomousai
Background Agent
Continuous code monitoring and improvement
📄 Codebash
📄 Examplebash
💡 Runs continuously in background
⚡ Proactive bug detection
🔍 No manual triggering needed
📌 VM-based for isolation
backgroundagentmonitoring
Advanced Features
Power user features and integrations
Command Palette
Access all commands quickly
📄 Codebash
📄 Examplebash
💡 Access any feature via palette
⚡ Searchable command list
🔍 Shows keyboard shortcuts
📌 Custom commands supported
commandspaletteshortcuts
Chat Modes
Different conversation modes for specific tasks
📄 Codejson
📄 Examplejson
💡 Modes tailor AI behavior
⚡ Create project-specific modes
🔍 Temperature controls creativity
📌 Include specific file patterns
modescustomchat
Integrations
Connect with external tools
📄 Codebash
📄 Examplebash
💡 Seamless tool integration
⚡ Automated workflows
🔍 Bugbot for automatic reviews
📌 Custom URL protocol support
integrationsgithubslack
Tips & Best Practices
Get the most out of Cursor
Effective Context Management
Optimize AI understanding
📄 Codebash
📄 Examplebash
💡 Specific context = better results
⚡ Rules ensure consistency
🔍 Memories improve over time
📌 New chats for new tasks
tipscontextbest-practices
Performance Optimization
Keep Cursor running smoothly
📄 Codebash
📄 Examplebash
💡 Exclude generated/minified files
⚡ Privacy mode for sensitive data
🔍 Clear cache fixes most issues
📌 Snooze Tab during debugging
performanceoptimizationtips
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Quick fixes for common problems
📄 Codebash
📄 Examplebash
💡 Most issues solved by cache clear
⚡ Check settings for conflicts
🔍 Developer tools for debugging
📌 Report persistent issues
troubleshootingdebugfixes