What is Cursor AI Editor?

Cursor is an AI-powered code editor built on VS Code with Claude 4.5 Sonnet integration. It features Tab completion for 30-50% faster coding, Cmd+K for surgical edits, AI Chat (Cmd+L) for questions and debugging, and Composer for multi-file editing.

How do I use Tab completion in Cursor?

Tab completion in Cursor predicts 1-15 lines of code. Start typing a function name or code pattern, and press Tab to accept the AI suggestion. Use Cmd+→ to accept word-by-word, and Alt+[ or Alt+] to cycle through alternatives.

What is Cmd+K in Cursor?

Cmd+K (Ctrl+K on Windows/Linux) is Cursor's inline editing feature. Select code, press Cmd+K, describe your change in plain English (like 'add error handling' or 'convert to TypeScript'), and Cursor makes the edit instantly.

How do @ symbols work in Cursor?

@ symbols provide context to Cursor's AI: @Files references specific files, @Folders references directories, @Codebase searches your entire project, @Docs queries official documentation, and @Web searches the internet. They dramatically improve AI accuracy.

What are Cursor Rules?

Cursor Rules are custom instructions in a .cursorrules file that tell the AI how to generate code for your project. They enforce coding standards, preferred libraries, file organization, and team conventions automatically.

Cursor Tutorial - Master AI-Powered Development with Cursor 0.45.14

Why Keyboard Shortcuts Matter

Power users are 50-70% faster than mouse users. Master these shortcuts and you'll spend less time clicking and more time coding.

⚡ The Essential 10 - Learn These First

These 10 shortcuts cover 90% of your Cursor workflow:

#	Action	Mac	Win/Linux	Impact
1	Tab Completion	Tab	Tab	30-50% faster coding
2	Inline Edit	Cmd+K	Ctrl+K	Instant refactoring
3	AI Chat	Cmd+L	Ctrl+L	Ask anything
4	Composer	Cmd+I	Ctrl+I	Multi-file editing
5	Command Palette	Cmd+Shift+P	Ctrl+Shift+P	Access everything
6	Quick File Open	Cmd+P	Ctrl+P	Jump to any file
7	Global Search	Cmd+Shift+F	Ctrl+Shift+F	Find in project
8	Multi-cursor	Cmd+D	Ctrl+D	Select next match
9	Go to Definition	F12	F12	Jump to code
10	Settings	Cmd+,	Ctrl+,	Configure Cursor

🎯 AI-Specific Shortcuts

Cursor's unique AI shortcuts that set it apart:

Action	Mac	Win/Linux	When to Use
Accept suggestion	Tab	Tab	Accept full AI completion
Accept word	Cmd+→	Ctrl+→	Accept one word at a time
Next suggestion	Alt+]	Alt+]	Cycle to next alternative
Previous suggestion	Alt+[	Alt+[	Cycle to previous alternative
Reject suggestion	Esc	Esc	Dismiss current suggestion
New chat	Cmd+Shift+L	Ctrl+Shift+L	Start fresh conversation
Apply chat code	Cmd+Enter	Ctrl+Enter	Apply AI-generated code
Reject changes	Cmd+Backspace	Ctrl+Backspace	Discard AI changes

✏️ Code Editing Shortcuts

Essential shortcuts for fast code manipulation:

Selection & Navigation

Select next occurrenceCmd+D / Ctrl+D

Select all occurrencesCmd+Shift+L / Ctrl+Shift+L

Expand selectionAlt+Shift+→

Shrink selectionAlt+Shift+←

Go to lineCtrl+G

Go backCtrl+- / Alt+←

Line Operations

Move line upAlt+↑

Move line downAlt+↓

Copy line upShift+Alt+↑

Copy line downShift+Alt+↓

Delete lineCmd+Shift+K / Ctrl+Shift+K

Toggle commentCmd+/ / Ctrl+/

📁 File & Project Shortcuts

Action	Mac	Win/Linux
New file	Cmd+N	Ctrl+N
Save file	Cmd+S	Ctrl+S
Save all	Cmd+Alt+S	Ctrl+K S
Close file	Cmd+W	Ctrl+W
Reopen closed file	Cmd+Shift+T	Ctrl+Shift+T
Toggle sidebar	Cmd+B	Ctrl+B
Toggle terminal	Ctrl+`	Ctrl+`
Split editor	Cmd+\\	Ctrl+\\

🔍 Search & Replace Shortcuts

Search

Find in fileCmd+F / Ctrl+F

Find in projectCmd+Shift+F / Ctrl+Shift+F

Find nextCmd+G / F3

Find previousCmd+Shift+G / Shift+F3

Replace

Replace in fileCmd+H / Ctrl+H

Replace in projectCmd+Shift+H / Ctrl+Shift+H

Replace nextCmd+Alt+Enter

Replace allCmd+Enter

🏆 Pro Productivity Tips

Tip #1: Chain Commands

Use Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P) → type what you want → press Enter. Way faster than hunting through menus. Examples: "format document", "change language mode", "reload window"

Tip #2: Multi-Cursor Magic

Hold Alt/Option and click to place multiple cursors. Or use Cmd+D repeatedly to select next occurrence. Edit 10 lines at once instead of one-by-one. Saves hours.

Tip #3: Keyboard-First Workflow

Challenge: Go 1 hour without using your mouse. Force yourself to use shortcuts. After a week, you'll be 2x faster. After a month, you'll never go back.

Tip #4: Custom Keybindings

Open Keyboard Shortcuts (Cmd+K Cmd+S) and customize. Map frequently-used commands to easier keys. Example: Map "Format Document" to Cmd+Shift+F for one-key formatting.

📚 Practice Challenge

7-Day Shortcut Challenge

Day 1-2: Master the Essential 10

Day 3-4: Add AI-specific shortcuts

Day 5: Code editing shortcuts

Day 6: File & project shortcuts

Day 7: Challenge day - no mouse!

Result: After 7 days, you'll be 50-70% faster. After 30 days, keyboard shortcuts will be muscle memory.

🔗 Next Steps

Now that you know the shortcuts, learn advanced workflow optimization: Workflow Optimization →

Cursor Keyboard Shortcuts - Power User Guide