Cursor AI: 1,000% Growth as Developers Abandon VS Code
Introduction
Visual Studio Code was, for almost a decade, the most popular code editor. In 2024, it accounted for 74% of the market share and had over 20 million active users. Developers loved it because it was fast, easily customizable, and had a huge extension ecosystem.
Then along came Cursor AI, and things changed completely.
In just a year and a half, Cursor has expanded 10 times its original size, going from 50K to more than half a million active developers. Major engineering departments at Shopify, Vercel, and Linear have already switched. There are numerous tweets on developer Twitter from users who, in the beginning, were sure that they would never leave VS Code, but now can’t imagine returning.
What is behind the large-scale migration? The spoken words are not the only reason. Cursor AI is an embodiment of a radical idea about the future of code editors with the rise of AI. Whereas VS Code just added some AI features to its regular editor model, Cursor has been AI-focused from its inception.
We will look into the reasons for the developers’ change of preference and the unique features of Cursor.
What Is Cursor AI?
Cursor AI is a code editor that puts artificial intelligence at its core to greatly improve the developer experience. Most code editors with AI features are VS Code-based editors with an AI extension, but this one has been rethought completely, such that AI is very tightly integrated into every part of it.
The main differences from traditional editors:
- AI Native Architecture: AI is the center of all the features here. The editor not only understands the current file you are working on but also your entire codebase.
- Context Aware Assistance: Cursor, from your code, recent changes, and project structure, understands what you want to create. Thus, the suggestions it proposes are more meaningful and not generic ones.
- Multi-File Editing: Tell Cursor to add a feature, and it will open multiple files and change them simultaneously, ensuring that the codebase stays consistent.
- Natural Language Commands: No need to memorize keyboard shortcuts and menu locations; you simply tell the editor in plain English what you want to do.
- Intelligent Autocomplete: This one is capable of generating entire functions, classes, and even the logic of what you are building, thus going far beyond merely finishing the syntax.
Why Coders Are Ditching VS Code?
People are moving from VS Code to Cursor AI because it makes coding feel almost magical compared to the old way.
Reason 1: True AI Integration vs Bolted-On Features
VS Code’s AI features are mainly powered by extensions such as GitHub Copilot, which is great for a line of code at a time, but is not aware of your codebase or the development context.
Cursor AI takes the whole project into consideration. It understands the architecture, naming conventions, code patterns, dependencies, and changes made recently. The ideas are not only syntactically correct, but they also match the style and architecture of your project.
For instance, in VS Code with Copilot, you may get a standard database query. However, with Cursor, you get a query that uses your exact ORM, follows your error handling patterns, and matches your logging conventions.
Reason 2: Multi-File Editing
Standard editors force you to manually switch between files. You work on a feature by editing one file, switching to another, editing that, then going back to the first one, etc.
Cursor AI can edit multiple files at once. You tell it a feature, and the Cursor makes all the changes to the relevant files: backend routes, database models, frontend components, tests, and documentation, saving you the time and effort of keeping all the changes consistent yourself.
Here is a genuine instance:
“Add user authentication with email and password.
With Cursor, it produces:
- Authentication middleware.
- User model with password hashing.
- Login/register API endpoints.
- Frontend login formJWT token handling.
- Tests for auth flows.
- Updated API documentation.
In VS Code, you would have to manually create each file and write each part of the code. With Cursor, you just need one command to get it.
Reason 3: Commands in natural language
VS Code puts the users through the process of memorizing keyboard shortcuts, looking up menu locations, and even command names. For example, if you want to refactor a function, you have to know what the refactoring options and shortcuts are.
Cursor AI works with natural language. You can literally say “extract this logic into a reusable utility function,” or “optimize this query for better performance,” or “add error handling to all API calls in this file, “
The editor figures out the user’s intention and works out the refactorings, which can be quite complex, even if the user has not specified exactly how to do them.
Reason 4: Development Cycles that are Faster
Developers who use Cursor AI say that their development times have been 30-50% faster. It is not because they type faster, but it is because Cursor removes the unenjoyable work.
Here is the stuff that Cursor automatically does:
- Writing the main parts of the code.
- Cleaning up import statements.
- Error handling code.
- Test scaffolding.
- Documentation updates.
- Code formatting and style consistency.
You are free to concentrate on the business logic and the architecture. Cursor takes care of the implementation details.
Reason 5: Higher Code Quality
If AI is not good, AI-assisted software development may even result in sloppy code. Cursor’s AI is extremely effective in producing clean, easily maintainable code.
Here is a list of quality improvements that developers report:
- Reduction in the number of bugs (AI notices the corner cases that humans overlook).
- Enhanced error handling (AI incorporates extensive error checking).
- Increased test coverage (AI creates very detailed test suites).
- Uniform code style (AI adopts project style patterns).
- Enhanced documentation (AI clarifies complicated logic).
Real Developer Experiences
Here are some quotes from developers who have switched to Cursor AI:
- Frontend Developer: React Component Development: “I didn’t think I would give up on VS Code. It’s been my go, to for 8 years. Then, Cursor totally changed my workflow. I just describe the component, and Cursor does the component, styles, tests, and storybook stories. What I used to do in 2 hours, I do in 15 minutes. I’m not exaggeratingit’s really that much faster.” Sarah, Senior Frontend Engineer
- Backend Developer: API Development – “When I create REST APIs in Cursor, it’s like having a pair programming session with a senior developer who is very familiar with our codebase. I say ‘add an endpoint for user preferences, ‘ and Cursor does the route handler, database schema update, validation, test generation, and API doc update. All exactly our existing patterns.” Mike, Lead Backend Engineer
- Full Stack Developer: Bug Fixing – “Debugging is the best feature of Cursor. I put the error stack trace and say, ‘fix this.’ Cursor goes through the codebase, finds the root cause, and provides the solution. It has helped me find race conditions and edge cases that I would have spent a lot of time and effort looking for.” Alex, Full Stack Developer
Cursor AI Key Features
Let’s explore the features making Cursor AI so powerful:
a. AI Chat Interface
With VS Code, your main mode of interaction is via the autocomplete suggestions, but Cursor features a conversational interface. You can chat with the AI about your code, ask questions, request changes, and get explanations.
Examples:
“What’s wrong with this function that it works so slowly?”
- Cursor diagnoses and explains performance issues.
- “Add a validation check to all user inputs.
- Cursor implements thorough input validation.
- Explain the logic behind this algorithm.
- Rewrite this code to enhance clarity.
- Cursor comes up with a clearer version.
b. Codebase Understanding
Cursor maps out your entire codebase, figuring out the relationships between files, functions, and components. It thus comes up with suggestions that are aware of the whole project, rather than just the current file.
Benefits:
- Suggestions fit your project architecture.
- Comprehends dependencies and relationships.
- Ensures consistency between files.
- Identifies changes that might cause breaks.
c. Intelligent Autocomplete
It dramatically surpasses a standard autocomplete. Cursor can suggest whole functions, classes, and blocks of logic based on:
What you want to do:
- Your project’s stylistic and structural patterns.
- Typical implementations of a similar functionality.
- Framework best practices.
d. Git Integration
Seamless incorporation of Git workflows. Cursor analyzes your branch history, latest commits, and the diff context to figure out how to make the suggestions more appropriate.
Smart features:
- Automatically create meaningful commit messages.
- Propose code changes based on PR feedback.
- Explain merge conflicts and recommend solutions.
- Analyze code changes with AI and provide a review.
Practical Implementation Example
Here’s a real example comparing VS Code and Cursor AI workflows:
Task: Add User Authentication to Express API
VS Code Traditional Workflow:
Cursor AI Workflow:
You type in the command panel:
Cursor generates in 2 minutes:
What Cursor AI did automatically:
- Built the user model along with the validation.
- Introduced password hashing with adequate salt rounds.
- Developed registration and login routes.
- Added input validation using Express-validator.
- Implemented JWT token creation.
- Auth middleware coded.
- Generated complete tests.
- Introduced proper error handling at the various layers.
- Incorporated security best practices.
Time comparison:
- VS Code manual: 2-3 hours.
- Cursor AI: 2 minutes + 10 minutes review.
Cursor AI vs VS Code: Feature Comparison
| Feature | VS Code + Copilot | Cursor AI |
|---|---|---|
| Code Completion | Line-by-line suggestions | Multi-line, context-aware blocks |
| Codebase Understanding | Current file only | Entire project |
| Multi-File Editing | Manual | Automatic across files |
| Natural Language Commands | Limited | Comprehensive |
| Refactoring | Manual with shortcuts | AI-powered with intent understanding |
| Error Fixing | Suggestions for the current line | Root cause analysis across files |
| Test Generation | Manual | Automatic comprehensive tests |
| Documentation | Manual | Auto-generated and updated |
| Learning Curve | Moderate | Low (natural language) |
| Speed | Baseline | 30-50% faster |
Common Concerns About Switching
Cursor AI is developed on top of VS Code's core, which means that most extensions and settings should continue to work. You can bring in your VS Code configuration and thus retain your favorite themes, keybindings, and extensions.
AI generated content can be flawed, but the Cursor platform facilitates quick and thorough review. Before hitting the accept button, you can see in detail what modifications the AI has suggested. According to most developers' feedback, 80-90% of the time, the AI's recommendations are accurate, which is a lot better than coming up with code on your own.
Cursor has a free version that targets developer individuals. Plans with more features are available starting from $20/month which is less than the value of the productivity boost from saving just one hour of work per month.
You've already been dependent on Stack Overflow, documentation, and Google without realizing it. Cursor AI is merely an improved way to interact with the same knowledge. You still decide on the overall architecture and write the essential parts of the logic the AI merely generates the boilerplate faster for you.
Migration Guide: From VS Code to Cursor
Step 1: Install Cursor (5 minutes)
First, navigate to cursor.sh and get the Cursor installer. Next, set it up just like any other app on your machine.
Step 2: Import Settings (2 minutes)
Then, make use of the Cursors feature that automatically imports your current VS Code settings, extensions, and keybindings, thus making the transition smooth.
Step 3: Learn AI Commands (30 minutes)
Then, learn about Cursors AI, assisted command features:
Cmd/Ctrl + K opens the AI chat interface.
Cmd/Ctrl + L provides inline AI suggestions.
At this point, start explaining programming tasks and demands in natural language.
Step 4: Try a Small Project (1 hour)
When you get the grasp of the basics, do a short side project or a small feature implementation.
This will allow you to leverage AI-assisted workflows without causing any interruption to your main work.
Step 5: Gradually Transition (1 week)
Firstly, keep developing new features using Cursor while doing your existing tasks with VS Code.
Gradually, you will see most developers fully switching to Cursor within a week.
The Future of Development with Cursor AI
Cursor AI is not merely an enhanced code editor but a step towards the future of software development.
We are shifting from:
- Manual coding.
- AI-assisted implementation.
- Developing line by line.
- Developing at the feature level.
- Memorizing syntax.
- Describing intent Working alone Human- AI collaboration.
The developers who will be doing well in 2025 won’t be the ones who type fastest or memorize the most APIs. They will be the ones who use AI to its full potential to get the implementation details done, while keeping their focus on architecture, user experience, and business logic.
Conclusion
The 1, 000% growth in Cursor AI adoption is no exaggeration; it’s developers discovering a fundamentally better way to build software. While VS Code is still a good editor, Cursor is really the next generation: AI-first, context-aware, and designed for developers in a way that matches how they actually work.
You’re certainly not mistaken if you continue to use VS Code because it is a great tool. However, you are also lacking workflows that seem like magic compared to traditional development. The developers changing to Cursor are not doing it for small upgrades. They do it because returning to manual coding feels like going back to using a typewriter after working with a computer.
The issue is not whether AI, first editors will replace traditional ones. In fact, they are already doing so. The question is how long you will wait before you also experience the difference.
Getting Started with Orbilon Technologies
Orbilon Technologies is your partner in leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven software development tools such as Cursor AI for your development teams. In order for your team to extract the maximum benefit from AI-assisted development, we take them through training, share best practices, and integrate support with AI-powered solutions.
Our Offerings:
- Cursor AI training, onboarding.
- AI-assisted development workflows.
- Team productivity optimization.
- Custom AI tool integration.
- Best practices for AI-powered development.
Change the way you develop software with us. Drop by orbilontech.com or send us an email at support@orbilontech.com to find out how our team can help you take advantage of Cursor AI and other AI development tools.
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Are you ready to turn your ideas into a reality? Hire Orbilon Technologies today and start working right away with qualified resources. We will take care of everything from design, development, security, quality assurance and deployment. We are just a click away.
