Cursor CLI - Claude code alternative

Description

Cursor CLI is a command-line tool that enables AI-assisted coding directly from the terminal. It allows developers to use Cursor Agent from the CLI or headless in any environment, extending beyond the main Cursor IDE. The tool integrates with existing workflows across multiple IDEs and terminals, including VSCode, JetBrains, Android Studio, Ghostty, Warp, and Bash. Solo developers who prefer terminal-based workflows or use editors other than Cursor IDE may find this Claude code alternative valuable for maintaining their existing setup while gaining AI agent capabilities.

Strengths

• Multi-environment flexibility — Works across any IDE or terminal environment with the same commands, letting developers use AI assistance without switching tools.
• Real-time agent steering — Developers can guide the agent as it works and review code changes directly in the terminal, maintaining control over generated code.
• Multiple model access — Provides access to cutting-edge models from Anthropic, OpenAI, and Gemini, allowing model switching based on task requirements.
• Customization capabilities — Supports custom rules through AGENTS.md files and Model Context Protocol (MCP) integration for tailored workflows.
• Predictable pricing tiers — Flat monthly subscription plans from $0 to $200 with defined usage limits instead of pure usage-based billing.
• Automation support — Enables building custom coding agents and automating tasks like documentation updates or security reviews.

Weaknesses

• Beta stability concerns — The CLI is still in beta with evolving security safeguards; it can read, modify, delete files, and execute shell commands, requiring careful usage.
• Shared usage pool — Cursor CLI pricing uses the same request pool as the IDE, potentially limiting flexibility for users of both interfaces.
• Usage cap limitations — Even the $200/month Ultra plan has a 20x usage multiplier rather than truly unlimited access, which may constrain heavy users.
• Less autonomy than competitors — Claude Code dominates autonomous, complex operations while Cursor excels at real-time, interactive coding assistance, suggesting different strengths.

Best for

Developers who want AI coding assistance in their preferred IDE or terminal without switching to a dedicated editor. Teams already using Cursor IDE who want to extend agent capabilities to headless environments, CI/CD pipelines, or automation scripts.

Pricing plans

• Hobby — $0/month — Limited Agent requests, limited Tab completions, two-week Pro trial included.
• Pro — $20/month — Extended Agent limits, unlimited Tab completions, background agents, maximum context windows.
• Pro+ — $60/month — 3x usage multiplier on all OpenAI, Claude, and Gemini models compared to Pro.
• Ultra — $200/month — 20x usage multiplier on all models, priority access to new features.
• Teams — $40/user/month — Pro features plus centralized billing, usage analytics, privacy mode controls, RBAC, SSO.
• Enterprise — Custom pricing — Teams features plus pooled usage, invoice billing, SCIM management, granular admin controls, priority support.

Tech details

• Type: Command-line interface with agentic capabilities
• IDEs: Works with Cursor IDE, VSCode, JetBrains, Android Studio, Neovim, and any terminal (Ghostty, Warp, Bash, etc.)
• Key features: Agentic code generation, multi-file editing, terminal command execution, real-time agent steering, code review in terminal, MCP integration, custom rules via AGENTS.md, scriptable automation
• Privacy / hosting: Cloud-based service; subscription includes access to hosted models from multiple providers; privacy mode available for Teams and Enterprise plans
• Models / context window: Claude (Sonnet 3.7), GPT-5, Gemini 2.5 Pro; MAX mode available for certain models with 200 agent tool call limit and up to 750 lines per file read operation; context windows vary by model

When to choose this over Claude code

• Existing Cursor subscription — If you already pay for Cursor IDE, the CLI is included in your subscription without additional per-token costs.
• Multi-model flexibility — Access to multiple frontier models from different providers allows switching when a specific model encounters limitations.
• IDE integration needs — Works alongside JetBrains, Neovim, or other IDEs rather than requiring exclusive terminal usage.

When Claude code may be a better fit

• Pure terminal workflow — Claude Code is purpose-built for terminal-native development without IDE dependencies.
• Autonomous complex operations — Claude Code excels at autonomous, complex operations compared to Cursor's interactive assistance model.
• Usage-based cost preference — Claude Code uses usage-based pricing ($20-$100/month for model access), which may be more economical for intermittent users.

Conclusion

Cursor CLI extends Cursor's AI agent capabilities to command-line environments and non-Cursor IDEs. While Cursor is primarily an IDE and Claude Code is a CLI, Cursor CLI bridges this gap for developers who want AI assistance without abandoning their existing tools. The flat-tier pricing structure provides cost predictability, though usage caps may limit heavy users. The tool remains in beta with evolving security features, making it suitable for trusted development environments rather than production systems.

Sources

• Official site: https://cursor.com/cli
• Docs: https://cursor.com/docs/cli/overview
• Pricing: https://cursor.com/pricing

FAQ

What is Cursor CLI and how does it differ from Cursor IDE?

Cursor CLI allows developers to use Cursor Agent from the command line or headless in any environment, while Cursor IDE is a full code editor forked from VSCode. The CLI provides the same commands across any environment and integrates with existing workflows in multiple IDEs and terminals. Both share the same subscription and usage pool.

Does Cursor CLI work with my current IDE?

Yes, Cursor CLI integrates with VSCode, JetBrains, Android Studio, Ghostty, Warp, Bash, and other development environments. For customers using Neovim, JetBrains, or other IDEs, the CLI allows them to use Cursor Agent alongside their favorite tools. You can run agent commands in any terminal without switching editors.

Is Cursor CLI included in my Cursor subscription?

Yes, Cursor CLI is available to all Cursor subscribers at no additional cost. The CLI uses the same usage pool as the IDE, meaning your agent requests and token usage count against your plan's limits whether you use the CLI or the IDE.

What security considerations should I know about?

The CLI is still in beta with evolving security safeguards; it can read, modify, and delete files, and execute shell commands you approve. Cursor recommends using it only in trusted environments and at your own risk. Always review agent-proposed changes before accepting them, especially for file deletions or shell commands.

How does Cursor CLI pricing compare to Claude Code?

Cursor offers flat tiers from $20 to $200 per month with usage caps on premium models, while Claude Code is usage-based at $20-$100/month for model access. Cursor provides cost predictability, while Claude Code may be more economical for intermittent usage. Heavy users should consider the 20x multiplier limit on Cursor's highest tier.

Can I customize how Cursor CLI agents work?

Yes, you can customize Cursor's work with rules, AGENTS.md files, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) integration. This allows you to define project-specific guidelines, connect external tools and data sources, and create custom automation workflows tailored to your development process.