1-1 Getting Started: From VS Code to Your First AI Coding Partner

This series explores how to transform your development workflow using Cursor's AI-powered coding environment. We'll cover everything from basic setup to advanced prompting techniques, helping you work more efficiently with AI as your coding partner.

Picture this: you're debugging a React component that won't render properly. Hours of console.log statements, Stack Overflow searches, and trial-and-error fixes. Then a colleague shows you how she solved the same type of issue in minutes using Cursor's AI agent. She didn't just get faster code completion—the AI understood her project context, identified the root cause, and suggested a fix that actually worked.

This scenario illustrates what AI coding tools are really about—they're not just about speed, but about working with an intelligent partner that understands your codebase. This guide walks you through setting up Cursor as your AI coding partner, from installation to the crucial settings that make the difference between frustration and flow.

What Makes Cursor Different

Cursor is an AI-powered code editor built on VS Code, but with a crucial difference: it's designed from the ground up to work as an AI agent, not just an autocomplete tool.

Instead of just suggesting code snippets, it can understand your entire project context, plan multi-step implementations, and even debug issues autonomously.

Since Cursor is built on VS Code, everything you know transfers over. Your existing extensions, keybindings, and workflows remain intact. You're not learning a new editor—you're adding an AI partner to your existing setup.

How to Set Up Cursor

Getting started with Cursor is straightforward, but the initial setup determines whether you'll have a smooth experience or constant frustration.

Download and Installation Visit cursor.com and click the "Download" button. The installation process is identical to VS Code—download, install, and you're ready to go.

When you first open Cursor, you'll notice it looks exactly like VS Code, with one important addition: a Chat panel on the right side. This is where you'll interact with the AI.

Essential Configuration for Success

Before writing your first line of code, these settings will determine your experience quality:

Model Selection Strategy Open "Cursor Settings" from the top-right menu. In the model options, I recommend enabling these four models:

• Claude 4 Sonnet (paid): Strong overall performance for complex tasks
• Claude 4 Sonnet Thinking (paid): Good for debugging and problem-solving
• DeepSeek V3-1 (free): Strong performance without cost
• GPT-4o Mini (free): Fast and reliable for simpler tasks

Why This Combination Works Cursor offers 50 free premium model uses per month. The Claude 4 series handles complex architectural decisions and debugging, while DeepSeek V3-1 and GPT-4o Mini cover routine tasks without consuming your premium quota.

Privacy Mode Setup In the General settings, enable "Privacy Mode." This prevents your code from being used for model training—essential for any professional development work.

With these settings configured, you're ready to experience AI-assisted development. The next chapters will show you how to use Cursor's various features to improve your coding workflow.

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