Reduce Your Cursor AI Bill: How to Use Claude Code Without the 20% Markup

Cursor is quickly becoming a favorite IDE for AI-assisted developers, but there’s a cost catch: Cursor adds a 20% markup to built-in AI API usage. For hobby projects, this might be fine. But if you’re doing intensive dev work with dozens (or hundreds) of prompts daily, that markup becomes a serious cost factor.

Here’s how to avoid the extra fee and optimize your dev workflow by directly integrating Claude from Anthropic.

Cursor’s Built-In AI Pricing: What You’re Actually Paying For

If you’re using Cursor’s default AI access:

• You’re paying API cost + 20%
• The 500 “fast” requests on Cursor Pro go by quickly
• Any additional usage still gets hit with the markup

In short, you’re trading ease of setup for inflated costs.

Go Direct with Claude: No Markup, Full Control

Instead of going through Cursor’s AI proxy, you can:

• Create an Anthropic account
• Get your Claude API key
• Plug that key directly into Cursor’s settings

This way, you’re only paying Anthropic’s base API rates with no middleman fee. You’ll also be able to track and manage usage from your Anthropic dashboard.

🔧 Quick Setup Guide: Direct Claude Integration

Step 1: Get Your Claude API Key

• Register at Anthropic
• Set up billing and retrieve your API key

Step 2: Configure Cursor

• Go to Cursor settings → Models or AI
• Find the API config section
• Enter your Claude API key

Step 3: Start Using Claude Natively

• Use the chat and inline assist features as usual
• Select Claude Sonnet 4 from the model dropdown
• Monitor usage in Anthropic’s dashboard

💬 Pro Tip: Set up billing alerts in Anthropic so you’re never surprised during high-volume days.

Cursor AI Cost Comparison

Let’s look at what you’re saving by going direct:

Usage ScenarioVia CursorDirect APIInput tokens$3.60/M$3.00/MOutput tokens$18.00/M$15.00/MMonthly markup20%0%

M = Million tokens

Save Even More with Apidog’s Free MCP Server

Looking to save even more tokens while coding with Cursor? Apidog’s MCP Server is a game changer.

What Is the MCP Server?

The MCP Server from Apidog connects your API specs directly to Cursor and other AI tools. It provides:

• Local access to your OpenAPI spec
• Smarter prompts that don’t re-send your whole spec
• Lower token usage per prompt
• Faster AI responses and fewer repeat requests

And the best part? It’s 100% free.

👉 Download Apidog for free

Why MCP Server = Less Token Use, Less Cost

AI models like Claude charge based on the number of tokens sent in each request. If you’re sending full API specs repeatedly, your costs shoot up.

Apidog MCP solves that :

• It locally caches your OpenAPI spec
• Cursor sends only the needed parts of the spec per request
• Less data = fewer tokens = lower costs

Key Benefits:

• Lower bills (especially on pay-as-you-go plans)
• Faster feedback (no reloading entire specs)
• Better code suggestions (AI knows your API without re-explaining)

🔌 How to Set Up Apidog MCP with Cursor

Before starting:

✅ Install Node.js (v18+ recommended)

✅ Use an IDE that supports MCP (like Cursor)

Step 1: Locate Your API Spec

Get your OpenAPI spec in .json or .yaml format:

• From a URL: https://petstore.swagger.io/v2/swagger.json
• Or a local file path: ~/myproject/api-docs/openapi.yaml

Step 2: Configure mcp.json in Cursor

For Mac/Linux:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "API specification": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "apidog-mcp-server@latest",
        "--oas=https://petstore.swagger.io/v2/swagger.json"
      ]
    }
  }
}

For Windows:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "API specification": {
      "command": "cmd",
      "args": [
        "/c",
        "npx",
        "-y",
        "apidog-mcp-server@latest",
        "--oas=https://petstore.swagger.io/v2/swagger.json"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Step 3: Verify the Setup

In Cursor’s Agent mode, run this prompt:

“Please fetch API documentation via MCP and tell me how many endpoints exist in the project.”

If it works, you’ll see a structured breakdown of your endpoints. If not, double-check your file path and make sure Node.js is installed correctly.

🧠 Final Thoughts: Save Smarter, Build Better

Switching to direct Claude integration helps you dodge unnecessary AI markups and regain budget flexibility. But if you also integrate Apidog’s MCP Server, you’re going even further:

• Lower token usage
• Faster dev cycles
• Cleaner, more accurate API code

This powerful combo helps you cut costs , boost productivity , and build faster with AI. Cursor is awesome — but Apidog turns it into a powerhouse.

✅ Start with Apidog for Free

🔒 No ads. No tracking. Just productivity.