Cursor CLI - Github Copilot alternative

Cursor CLI is a command-line interface that brings AI-powered coding capabilities directly to your terminal. It integrates with any terminal or IDE environment, allowing developers to use AI agents for code generation, file editing, and automation without leaving the command line. The agent can generate files, run terminal commands, and search your codebase. Solo developers who prefer terminal workflows or use editors like Neovim and JetBrains can access the same AI capabilities available in the Cursor IDE while maintaining their existing development setup.

Strengths

• Environment flexibility — Works in any terminal and integrates with VSCode, JetBrains, Android Studio, and other IDEs, allowing developers to maintain their preferred editor while using AI assistance.
• Real-time agent control — Developers can review agent edits directly in the terminal and guide the agent as it works, providing immediate feedback during code generation.
• Multi-model access — Access to every cutting-edge model from Anthropic, OpenAI, and Gemini within a single subscription, with automatic updates to the latest model versions.
• Custom automation support — Build custom scripts and automations for documentation updates, security reviews, or custom coding agents using the CLI interface.
• Model Context Protocol integration — Connect external tools and data sources using MCP servers to extend agent capabilities beyond standard coding tasks.
• Parallel agent execution — Run multiple agents in parallel in the terminal or remotely while using the editor-based agent simultaneously.

Weaknesses

• Beta stability concerns — The CLI is still in beta with evolving security safeguards, can read, modify, and delete files, requiring careful usage in production environments.
• Missing Auto mode — CLI uses the same usage pool as the IDE but without Auto mode, potentially requiring more manual model selection.
• Pricing opacity — Pricing details specific to CLI usage are not clearly documented separate from the main Cursor IDE subscription model.
• Backend dependency — All requests route through Cursor's backend even when using your own API key, creating a dependency on Cursor infrastructure.

Best for

Developers who work primarily in terminal environments, use editors like Neovim or JetBrains, or need AI coding assistance for automation scripts and CI/CD pipelines without adopting a new IDE.

Pricing plans

Cursor CLI shares the same pricing structure as Cursor IDE subscriptions:

• Hobby — $0/month — Limited Agent requests, limited Tab completions, two-week Pro trial included.
• Pro — $20/month — Extended limits on Agent, unlimited Tab completions, Background Agents, maximum context windows.
• Pro+ — $60/month — All Pro features plus 3x usage on all OpenAI, Claude, and Gemini models.
• Ultra — $200/month — All Pro features plus 20x usage on all models and priority access to new features.
• Teams — $40/user/month — All Pro features plus centralized billing, usage analytics, privacy mode controls, RBAC, SAML/OIDC SSO.
• Enterprise — Custom pricing — All Teams features plus pooled usage, invoice billing, SCIM management, AI Code Tracking API, granular admin controls.

Note: The CLI works with any model as part of your Cursor subscription.

Tech details

• Type: Terminal-based AI coding agent with cloud-based model inference
• IDEs: Works with VSCode, JetBrains, Android Studio, any terminal including Bash, Warp, and Ghostty
• Key features: File generation and editing, terminal command execution, codebase search, custom rule configuration via AGENTS.md files, MCP server integration, parallel agent execution
• Privacy / hosting: Cloud-based with zero data retention agreements with model providers. Privacy Mode enables zero data retention with no code storage or training by Cursor or third parties. Not self-hosted or fully local.
• Models / context window: Claude 3.7 Sonnet, GPT-4, Gemini 2.5 Pro, and other frontier models. MAX mode provides 200 Agent tool call limit and ability to process up to 750 lines per file read operation. Specific context window sizes vary by model.

When to choose this over Github Copilot

• Terminal-first workflow — If you primarily work in terminal environments or use editors other than VS Code, the CLI provides full AI agent capabilities without requiring IDE changes.
• Custom automation needs — Build powerful scripts and automations for documentation updates, security reviews, or custom coding agents that integrate with CI/CD pipelines.
• Multi-model flexibility — Access multiple frontier models from different providers under one subscription, with the ability to switch models based on task requirements.

When Github Copilot may be a better fit

• Production stability requirements — Organizations needing fully stable, non-beta tools may prefer Copilot's established reliability over the CLI's evolving beta status.
• IDE-native experience — Teams deeply integrated with GitHub and VS Code workflows may benefit from Copilot's tighter native integration without additional CLI tools.
• Transparent pricing for CLI usage — Copilot offers clearer per-seat pricing, while Cursor CLI pricing follows the broader Cursor subscription model without CLI-specific usage breakdowns.

Conclusion

Cursor CLI extends AI coding assistance beyond traditional IDE boundaries into terminal environments. It allows developers using Neovim, JetBrains, or other IDEs to use the full power of Cursor Agent alongside their favorite tools. The beta status requires caution, but the flexibility to work in any environment while accessing multiple frontier models makes it compelling for terminal-focused developers. Privacy mode and zero-retention agreements address security concerns for sensitive codebases.

Sources

• Official site: https://cursor.com/cli
• Docs: https://docs.cursor.com/en/cli/overview
• Pricing: https://cursor.com/pricing

FAQ

Q: Does Cursor CLI work offline or require an internet connection?

A: Cursor CLI requires an internet connection. All requests route through Cursor's backend servers for prompt processing and model inference, even when using your own API keys. It is not a fully local or offline solution.

Q: How does Cursor CLI pricing compare to the regular Cursor IDE?

A: Cursor CLI uses the same subscription pricing as the Cursor IDE. Your CLI usage shares the same request limits and model quotas as your IDE subscription. There are no separate CLI-specific pricing plans.

Q: Can I use Cursor CLI with my existing Neovim or JetBrains setup?

A: Yes. Cursor CLI is designed to work alongside any IDE or editor. You can continue using your preferred development environment while accessing Cursor's AI agent capabilities through the terminal.

Q: Is my code private when using Cursor CLI?

A: When Privacy Mode is enabled, Cursor enforces zero data retention policies. No code is stored or used for training by Cursor or third-party model providers. However, all requests still route through Cursor's backend infrastructure.

Q: What models can I access through Cursor CLI?

A: Cursor CLI provides access to frontier models from Anthropic (Claude 3.7 Sonnet), OpenAI (GPT-4 series), and Google (Gemini 2.5 Pro). New models are automatically added as they become available.

Q: Is Cursor CLI stable enough for production use?

A: Cursor CLI is currently in beta with evolving security safeguards. The tool can read, modify, and delete files and execute shell commands. It should be used carefully, particularly in production environments, until it reaches general availability.