Cursor unveils Cursor CLI
Cursor CLI lets you interact with AI agents directly from your terminal to write, review, and modify code. Whether you prefer an interactive terminal interface or print automation for scripts and CI pipelines, the CLI provides powerful coding assistance right where you work.
Created on August 8|Last edited on August 8
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Cursor CLI is a terminal-based interface that gives developers direct access to AI coding assistance without relying on a separate editor. It is built to work in both conversational and automated modes, making it equally useful for hands-on problem solving and scripted workflows. Developers can use it to write code, refactor existing modules, review changes for performance or security issues, and even plan tasks without making edits. Because it works entirely within the command line, it can fit into almost any environment, from a local machine to remote servers or containerized builds.
Interactive and Non-Interactive Modes
The tool’s interactive mode behaves like a chat inside the terminal. You can describe what you want, review the AI’s suggested changes, and approve or reject any commands before they run. This makes it a safe and collaborative way to work on live code. Non-interactive mode is designed for automation, allowing you to run prompts in one shot and print the results directly to the console. In automation scenarios, you can choose output formats such as plain text or JSON for easier parsing in scripts and CI pipelines.
Project Integration and Configuration
Cursor CLI supports the Model Context Protocol, which allows it to connect with integrations and tools defined in a configuration file. It can also apply custom rules stored in a .cursor/rules directory, letting you guide the AI’s behavior for specific projects, folders, or file types. This enables a highly adaptable setup where the same AI can act differently depending on the context.
Command System and Model Selection
Inside an interactive session, slash commands make it easy to control the workflow. You can switch between different AI models, start new chats, resume old ones, toggle Vim-style key bindings, or submit feedback. Outside of chats, global flags let you set authentication, select models, control output, and even force command execution without manual approval. This flexibility makes it possible to tailor the tool’s performance and personality to each development task.
Position in Developer Workflows
By placing AI capabilities directly in the terminal, Cursor CLI eliminates the constant switching between editor, browser, and other tools. It brings the intelligence of an IDE agent into a lightweight, scriptable package, making AI assistance available anywhere a terminal is available. This makes it a powerful option for developers who want speed, automation, and AI support in one place.
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