Cursor: the AI-native editor — Code with AI | AI Bootcamp

0 XP

An editor built around AI

Cursor is a code editor (built on VS Code, so extensions and shortcuts carry over) where AI is woven into everything. Download it from cursor.com, open a project folder, and you're in.

The three things you'll use constantly: Tab, inline edit, and Agent.

app/page.tsx

1export default function Home() {
2  return (
3    <main className="p-8">
4      <h1>My Portfolio</h1>
5    </main>
6  );
7}

Agent

Add a projects grid below the heading with 3 sample cards, responsive

Added a ProjectCard component and a responsive 1→3 column grid. 2 files changed.

📝 Read the full lesson notes

An editor built around AI

Cursor is a code editor (built on VS Code, so extensions and shortcuts carry over) where AI is woven into everything. Download it from cursor.com, open a project folder, and you're in.

The three things you'll use constantly: Tab, inline edit, and Agent.

The core moves

Tab — predicts your next edit, not just the next word. Accept with Tab and it often jumps you to the next place that needs the same change.
Inline edit (Cmd/Ctrl+K) — select code, describe the change, review the diff in place.
Agent — the side panel where you give bigger tasks; it plans, edits multiple files and runs terminal commands.
Plan Mode (Shift+Tab in the agent input) — the agent researches your code, asks clarifying questions, and writes a reviewable plan before touching anything.
@-mentions — type @ to pull specific files, folders, docs or rules into context.

Rules: teach it your project once

Rules are standing instructions the agent follows every time: your stack, conventions, things to never do. Put them in .cursor/rules/ as .mdc files (they can apply always, to matching files, or when the agent thinks they're relevant), or use a plain AGENTS.md at the project root.

Try it: your first agent task

Create a single-page personal website with a hero, an about section and a contact form (no backend — show a thank-you message on submit). Use plain HTML, CSS and JS. Then tell me how to open it in my browser.

Part of 💻 Code with AI in the free AI Bootcamp.