RUNLOCALAIv38
->Will it run?Best GPUCompareTroubleshootStartLearnPulseModelsHardwareToolsBench
Run check
RUNLOCALAI

Independently operated catalog for local-AI hardware and software. Hand-written verdicts. Source-cited claims. Reproducible commands when we have them.

OP·Eruo Fredoline
DIR
  • Models
  • Hardware
  • Tools
  • Benchmarks
TOOLS
  • Will it run?
  • Compare hardware
  • Cost vs cloud
  • Choose my GPU
  • Prompting kits
  • Quick answers
REF
  • All buyer guides
  • Learn local AI
  • Methodology
  • Glossary
  • Errors KB
  • Trust
EDITOR
  • About
  • Author
  • How we make money
  • Editorial policy
  • Contact
LEGAL
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Sitemap
MAIL · MONTHLY DIGEST
Get monthly local AI changes
Monthly recap. No spam.
DISCLOSURE

Some links on this site are affiliate links (Amazon Associates and other first-class retailers). When you buy through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate links do not influence our verdicts — there are cards we rate highly that we don't have affiliate relationships with, and cards that sell well that we refuse to recommend. Read more →

© 2026 runlocalai.coIndependently operated
RUNLOCALAI · v38
  1. >
  2. Home
  3. /Learn
  4. /How-to
  5. /How to install and set up the Cursor IDE AI extension for AI-first coding
HOW-TO · DEV

How to install and set up the Cursor IDE AI extension for AI-first coding

beginner·10 min·By Eruo Fredoline
Target environment
Ubuntu 24.04 · Cursor 0.45.x
PREREQUISITES

Cursor IDE downloaded, internet connection

What this does

Cursor IDE is a fork of VS Code that places AI assistance at the center of the editing experience. It includes features such as AI code generation, inline predictions, a conversational debugger, and built-in access to multiple LLM backends. Setting up the IDE involves downloading the application, configuring a model provider, and enabling the core AI features for the first project.

Steps

  1. Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
  2. Launch Cursor IDE from the applications menu or terminal using cursor.
  3. On first launch, the welcome screen presents model options: choose Built-in (Default) for immediate access or select Custom to configure an external provider.
  4. Open the Settings panel via File → Preferences → Settings and navigate to AI.
  5. Enter the API key for the chosen provider if a custom backend is selected.
  6. Enable "Inline AI Completions" and "AI Code Actions" by toggling the corresponding switches to On.
  7. Open a workspace folder via File → Open Folder and create or open a source file to verify the AI bar appears at the bottom of the editor.
  8. Type a comment describing a function, such as // fetch user data from API, and confirm that an AI-powered completion appears.

Verification

cursor --version

Expected output: a version string such as 0.45.x, confirming the binary is accessible from the shell.

Common failures

  • API key rejected: Verify the key is copied without leading or trailing whitespace and that the provider account has available quota.
  • AI completions silent: Check that the active file language is supported (Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, and others are enabled by default).
  • Installation incomplete: Re-running the installer and choosing "Repair" corrects missing runtime dependencies on Windows.

Related guides

  • How to install and enable the GitHub Copilot extension in VS Code
  • How to use Continue.dev to connect a local codebase to a custom LLM backend
← All how-to guidesCourses →