I Tried Cursor Code Editor: A Time-Saving AI Tool for Developers
In the ever-evolving world of software development, new tools emerge all the time, aiming to make our lives easier and our workflow more efficient. One tool that recently caught my attention is Cursor Code Editor. After using it for a while, I have to say, I’m genuinely impressed. In this post, I’ll share my experience using Cursor, particularly how it helped me in a project involving Next.js for the frontend and Laravel for the backend.
What Is Cursor Code Editor?
Cursor Code Editor is an AI-powered code editor, built on the popular VSCode platform. If you’re familiar with VSCode, Cursor will feel instantly recognizable. It retains all the familiar shortcuts, plugins, and extensions that make VSCode a powerhouse for developers. But where Cursor really stands out is in its integration of AI models designed to assist developers in writing, debugging, and optimizing code.
The editor is built with AI-first features that allow you to work with advanced models like OpenAI’s GPT, Copilot-style code completion, and other intelligent features that take coding productivity to the next level. The AI models available in Cursor help with everything from smart code completion to code generation and even error fixing —streamlining what would normally be time-consuming and repetitive tasks.
How I Used Cursor for a Next.js and Laravel Project
For one of my recent projects, I was working on a full-stack application where Next.js was the framework of choice for the frontend and Laravel powered the backend. This setup required precise communication between the two layers, with data flowing smoothly via APIs and tight coordination on TypeScript typing for the frontend logic. Here’s where Cursor came in handy:
TypeScript Code Completion: A Developer’s Dream
One of the standout features for me was how well Cursor handled TypeScript code completion. When you’re working with a strongly-typed language like TypeScript, having smart and accurate code suggestions is crucial. Cursor didn’t just throw out generic suggestions—it accurately predicted the types and structures I needed, saving me from potential bugs and letting me focus on the logic rather than fighting with type errors.
Accurate Code Generation
Another impressive feature was Cursor’s ability to generate code accurately. When working on my Next.js components or building out API routes in Laravel, Cursor would automatically generate snippets that weren’t just placeholders but actual working code that I could refine or use as-is. This dramatically reduced the time I spent writing boilerplate code, especially when setting up new routes, fetching data from the backend, or defining API endpoints.
Error Fixing and Debugging
If you’ve ever spent hours debugging code, you’ll appreciate how much time Cursor can save. I loved the error-fixing feature—Cursor would analyze the code and suggest precise fixes. It felt like having a pair of extra eyes on my work, catching mistakes that I might have missed and offering quick solutions without needing to leave the editor to search for documentation.
Cutting Down on Repetitive Tasks
As developers, we often have to repeat certain tasks—whether it’s setting up similar structures, writing repetitive utility functions, or even adding imports and exports. Cursor excels at reducing the time you spend on these tasks by automating much of the process. For example, while setting up routes in Laravel, I was able to generate repetitive route handlers much faster, and Cursor would even suggest improvements based on the context.
Chat with Your Codebase
One feature that I wasn’t expecting but quickly grew to appreciate was the ability to chat with my codebase. It’s like having an AI coding assistant right there with you. You can ask questions about your code, get insights into why certain bugs are happening, and even request code changes through natural language. It felt like working with a team member, and it gave me more confidence in the code I was writing.
What Other Developers Love About Cursor
I’m not the only one who’s been impressed by Cursor. After browsing some reviews and feedback from other developers, a few key points stood out:
Seamless VSCode Integration: Many users praised Cursor for being built on top of VSCode, which makes it familiar and easy to adopt.
Extensive Plugin Support: The ability to leverage all the existing VSCode extensions while still using Cursor’s AI features is a huge win.
Supercharged Code Completion: Like me, others have noticed that Cursor’s AI-powered suggestions feel smarter and more accurate than other tools.
Time-Saving Efficiency: From generating code snippets to automating imports and exports, developers have shared how Cursor helps them complete tasks faster.
Final Thoughts
Overall, my experience with Cursor Code Editor has been fantastic. It’s a powerful tool that enhances your coding workflow, especially if you’re working with TypeScript and large-scale frameworks like Next.js or Laravel. The AI-powered code completion, error fixing, and code generation features help save time and reduce the cognitive load on repetitive tasks. Plus, the ability to chat with your codebase and get immediate insights is something I didn’t know I needed until I tried it.
If you’re a developer looking for ways to increase your productivity and reduce the time spent on mundane coding tasks, I highly recommend giving Cursor a try. It’s a great blend of VSCode’s flexibility with AI-driven enhancements that truly make coding a smoother, more enjoyable experience.
BY: ZEKARIAS BEHAILU