Cursor Integration

Using Claude Code alongside Cursor

Cursor Integration

Cursor is a VS Code-based AI-enhanced code editor. While Cursor has its own built-in AI features, you can use Claude Code alongside Cursor to leverage the strengths of both tools.

Cursor vs Claude Code

Tool Strengths Best For
Cursor Built-in AI Deep editor integration, Plan Mode Complex bug fixes, multi-step refactoring
Claude Code CLI Powerful agentic capabilities, project-level understanding Architecture design, comprehensive analysis

Recommended Strategy: Use both tools together, choosing based on the task.

Configuration Methods

Method 1: Use Claude Code in Cursor Terminal

The simplest approach is to run Claude Code directly in Cursor's integrated terminal:

  1. Open Cursor
  2. Open terminal (Ctrl+`` /Cmd+``)
  3. Run the claude command

This allows you to use both in the same editor window: - Cursor's built-in AI features - Claude Code's terminal interaction

Method 2: Claude Code as MCP Server

Claude Code can run as an MCP server, allowing Cursor to call Claude Code's tools:

# Configure in Cursor's .mcp.json
{
  "claude-code": {
    "command": "claude",
    "args": ["--mcp-server"]
  }
}

Method 3: Parallel Window Workflow

Work with two windows in parallel:

  1. Cursor window: Daily code editing, using built-in AI
  2. Terminal/iTerm: Run Claude Code for complex tasks

Best Practice Workflows

Scenario 1: Complex Project Development

1. Use Claude Code to analyze project architecture
   > Analyze the overall structure of this project, identify core modules

2. Do daily coding in Cursor
   - Use Cursor Composer for quick edits
   - Use Plan Mode for multi-file refactoring

3. Switch to Claude Code for complex issues
   > Are there security vulnerabilities in this auth system?

Scenario 2: Bug Fixing

1. Cursor Plan Mode excels at tracking multi-step bugs
   - Enable Plan Mode
   - Describe the symptoms
   - Let AI plan fix steps

2. Claude Code excels at deep analysis
   > Analyze the root cause of this memory leak
   > Check all related code paths

Scenario 3: Code Review

1. Claude Code for comprehensive review
   > /review
   > Focus on security and performance

2. Cursor for specific fixes
   - Use inline editing for quick fixes
   - Leverage Tab completion for efficiency

Tool Selection Guide

Task Recommended Tool Reason
Quick code completion Cursor Built-in Tab completion is faster
Multi-file refactoring Cursor Plan Mode Visual planning is clearer
Project architecture analysis Claude Code Deeper context understanding
Code review Claude Code Dedicated /review command
UI/Animation development Either Claude slightly better
Git operations Claude Code /commit is more convenient
Terminal debugging Claude Code Can directly read logs

Advanced Configuration

Configure Claude Models in Cursor

In Cursor settings, you can configure Claude models as the backend:

  1. Open Cursor settings
  2. Find AI model configuration
  3. Add Claude model configuration
{
  "ai.models": {
    "claude-sonnet": {
      "provider": "anthropic",
      "model": "claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929"
    }
  }
}

Share MCP Servers

Claude Code and Cursor can share the same MCP server configuration:

// ~/.mcp.json
{
  "context7": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": ["-y", "@context7/mcp-server"]
  },
  "supabase": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": ["-y", "@supabase/mcp-server"]
  }
}

FAQ

Do Cursor and Claude Code conflict?

No. They are complementary tools: - Cursor provides deep editor integration - Claude Code provides powerful terminal experience

Which should I choose?

You don't have to choose one. Pick based on task characteristics: - Quick edits → Cursor - Complex analysis → Claude Code - Daily development → Use both together

How to use QCode.cc in Cursor?

If you want to use Claude models in Cursor via QCode.cc proxy:

  1. Configure custom API endpoint
  2. Use the API address provided by QCode.cc

Next Steps

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