Cursor CLI
Core Capability: Control the Cursor AI-powered code editor (VS Code fork) from the command line.
Quick Start
# Open current directory
cursor .
# Open file at specific line
cursor /path/to/file.ts:42
# Compare two files
cursor --diff file1.ts file2.ts
# Use as git editor
git config --global core.editor "cursor --wait"
THE EXACT PROMPT — Open Files
# Open file
cursor /path/to/file.ts
# Open at specific line
cursor /path/to/file.ts:42
# Open at line and column
cursor /path/to/file.ts:42:10
# Open multiple files
cursor file1.ts file2.ts file3.ts
# Open in new window
cursor -n /path/to/project
# Reuse existing window
cursor -r /path/to/file
THE EXACT PROMPT — Diff and Wait
# Compare two files
cursor --diff file1.ts file2.ts
cursor -d file1.ts file2.ts
# Wait for file to close (scripts/git)
cursor --wait /path/to/file
cursor -w /path/to/file
# Use as git editor
git config --global core.editor "cursor --wait"
THE EXACT PROMPT — Extensions
# List installed extensions
cursor --list-extensions
# Install extension
cursor --install-extension <extension-id>
# Uninstall extension
cursor --uninstall-extension <extension-id>
# Disable all extensions
cursor --disable-extensions
Essential Commands
| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| cursor . | Open current directory |
| cursor file.ts:42 | Open file at line |
| cursor -n path | Open in new window |
| cursor -r path | Reuse existing window |
| cursor --diff a b | Compare two files |
| cursor --wait file | Wait for close (scripting) |
| cursor --add folder | Add to current workspace |
Settings Locations
| File | macOS Path |
|------|------------|
| User settings | ~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User/settings.json |
| Keybindings | ~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User/keybindings.json |
| File | Linux Path |
|------|------------|
| User settings | ~/.config/Cursor/User/settings.json |
| Keybindings | ~/.config/Cursor/User/keybindings.json |
Portable Mode
# Custom user data directory
cursor --user-data-dir /path/to/data
# Custom extensions directory
cursor --extensions-dir /path/to/extensions
Piping Input
# Read from stdin
echo "console.log('hello')" | cursor -
# Pipe file contents
cat script.ts | cursor -
Debugging
# Show version
cursor --version
# Show help
cursor --help
# Verbose output
cursor --verbose /path/to/file
# Inspect extensions
cursor --inspect-extensions
References
| Topic | Reference | |-------|-----------| | Full command reference | COMMANDS.md |