OpenCursor

What does OpenCursor do?

The README calls OpenCursor "a fork of Code - OSS with an agent, Tab completion and inline editing built in. It is laid out the way Cursor is, so the habits carry over." Cmd+K edits a selection in place, Cmd+L sends the selection to the agent, Tab finishes a line. Existing VS Code extensions, themes and settings work as they already did.

The agent reads and searches code, edits files and runs commands, with four modes: Agent, Plan, Debug and Ask. You decide how much it may run on its own: ask every time, an allowlist, Auto (asks before deleting, installing or going online) or full access, and how hard the model thinks, from Off to Max. Every edit is a diff you keep or undo per hunk, per file or all at once; every message is a checkpoint you can restore.

Key facts

• Licence: MIT. Built on Code - OSS by Microsoft, also MIT.
• Platforms: macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Windows (x64 and arm64), Linux (x64 and arm64).
• Install: one-line scripts on each OS (curl ... | sh on macOS and Linux, irm ... | iex on Windows), or direct downloads from the releases page.
• Builds are not signed yet; the first launch needs the usual Open Anyway or SmartScreen Run anyway step.
• Models: Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini, OpenRouter, DeepSeek, xAI, Mistral, Groq, NVIDIA, Z.ai, SambaNova as API keys; Claude Code, Codex, Grok and Gemini CLI subscriptions; Ollama, LM Studio or any OpenAI-compatible server for local models.
• Tab completions use a fill-in-the-middle model like Codestral or an Ollama coder model, or a fast chat model.
• Context mentions: @ files, folders, symbols, git changes, lints, terminal output, docs, the web and earlier chats; a local index of your codebase powers semantic search.
• Rules and MCP: .open-cursor/rules, AGENTS.md and CLAUDE.md; your own slash commands; any MCP server. Cursor projects work as they are.
• Privacy: API keys are stored in the system keychain; a daily anonymous install ping (random ID, version, OS) can be turned off in Settings.
• Build from source: Node 24 and the usual VS Code build prerequisites.

What does it replace, and where does it fall short?

OpenCursor replaces Cursor for a developer who wants a VS Code fork laid out like Cursor, under MIT, with requests going straight from the computer to the provider. It appears on the open-source alternatives to Cursor page.

Where it falls short: builds are not code-signed, so the first launch takes an extra step on macOS and Windows. Cursor is a hosted product with its own backend features, team settings and support. OpenCursor does not ship a model and will not work without a provider, a local model or a CLI the user is already signed in to. The README does not state benchmark numbers for the tab-completion or agent models.

How does OpenCursor run?

Install with the one-line script for your OS:

# macOS and Linux
curl -fsSL https://opencursor.org/install.sh | sh
# Windows PowerShell
irm https://opencursor.org/install.ps1 | iex

The script picks the build for the system and processor, installs the app on macOS, the .deb or .rpm on Linux (or a portable copy in ~/.local where neither fits), and the per-user setup on Windows. Set OPENCURSOR_VERSION=v0.1.0 to pin a release. Pick a model on the start screen: a subscription, a local model or an API key.

Who is OpenCursor for?

A developer who wants Cursor's shortcuts and layout in a VS Code fork under MIT, with the choice of API key, local model or an existing CLI subscription. For a Rust reimplementation of Claude Code in the terminal, see CometixCode. For a VS Code fork oriented around the Agent Client Protocol, see Volt. For a hosted product, Cursor is the paid tool.

What limits does the README state?

• Builds are not signed yet; first launch needs Open Anyway on macOS and Run anyway on Windows.
• The install script works on macOS, Linux and Windows; architecture and OS selection are automatic.
• The daily anonymous install ping can be turned off in Settings but is on by default.

Questions people ask

Is OpenCursor open source?

Yes. The LICENSE at the repository root is MIT, an OSI-approved licence, and the README says OpenCursor is built on Code - OSS by Microsoft, which is also MIT. Both licences allow commercial use, modification and redistribution.

Can I use my Claude Code or Codex subscription?

Yes. The README says: point OpenCursor at an API key, a model running on your machine, or the Claude Code, Codex, Grok or Gemini CLI you are already signed in to. Requests go straight from your computer to that provider, and keys stay in your system keychain. A subscription runs the CLI you already use in the background, so the work counts against your plan.

Does OpenCursor work with my VS Code extensions and settings?

Yes. The README says "your VS Code extensions, themes and settings work as they always did." Cursor projects work as they are. Rules can come from .open-cursor/rules, AGENTS.md or CLAUDE.md, with your own slash commands and any MCP server supported.

How does OpenCursor compare with Cursor?

Cursor is a paid, hosted product. OpenCursor is a VS Code fork laid out the same way, under MIT, with the same shortcuts (Cmd+K, Cmd+L, Tab) and no account between you and the model. The open-source alternatives to Cursor page sets OpenCursor beside the other coding-assistant projects in the directory.

Does OpenCursor send my code anywhere?

The README says there is no account and no server between you and your models: requests go from your computer straight to the provider. A daily anonymous install ping (random ID made on your computer plus version and OS) can be turned off in Settings. Report a Problem sends only what you write plus the app details listed before you send; never code, chats or keys.

Sources

• OpenCursor README and LICENSE: github.com/noah-thing/open-cursor, read 2026-11-02.