Intro
So far, I am looking for the best AI code assistant.
First, I tried Continue + VSCode + Ollama + DeepSeek-R1.
https://dev.to/webdeveloperhyper/ai-code-assistant-for-free-and-safe-continue-vscode-ollama-deepseek-r1-5eg8
It was free and safe, but luck speed in my local environment.🦥
Second, I tried Codeium + VSCode.
https://dev.to/webdeveloperhyper/ai-code-assistant-2-free-and-fast-codeium-vscode-c7p
It was free and fast, but couldn't opt out telemetry at free plan.
So, I googled carefully, and found that Cursor might solve the problem.
What is Cursor?
Cursor is a super AI code assistant.🤖
https://www.cursor.com/
It has functions such as Autocomplete, Chat and Agent.
The features of Cursor is as follows.
1️⃣ Calls LLMs on the web.
By calling LLMs on the web, you can get a quick response compared with local running LLMs
2️⃣ VSCode like code editor
Cursor is fork of VSCode, and similar to VSCode.
You can migrate your extensions and settings, and keep the usability of your VSCode.
How to use Cursor?
1️⃣ Download Cursor from the website.
https://www.cursor.com/
2️⃣ Run the file, and open it.
3️⃣ Import the extensions and settings from your VSCode.
4️⃣ Set privacy if needed.
5️⃣ Login with your Google account, GitHub account or email and password.
6️⃣ Ready for Cursor!🚀
Tab
https://docs.cursor.com/tab/overview
Tab is an AI-powered code autocomplete that suggests edits.
You can accept suggestion by pressing Tab.
Cursor surpasses GitHub Copilot for the point that is can edit multi-character at once.
Chat
https://docs.cursor.com/chat/overview
Chat let you ask questions or solve problems in your codebase.
You can open the Chat by pressing Ctrl/⌘ + L.
Also, you can fix errors in chat, by pressing Ctrl/⌘ + Shift + E
Ctrl K
https://docs.cursor.com/cmdk/overview
Ctrl K allows you to generate new code or edit existing code in the editor window.
If no code is selected, Cursor will generate a new code.
And, if a code is selected, Cursor will edit the existing code.
@Symbols
https://docs.cursor.com/context/@-symbols/overview
@Symbols can filter to show most relevant suggestions.
For example, by using @Files or @Folders, Cursor references a specific file or folder.
By using @Web, Cursor references external web resources and documentation.
Agent
https://docs.cursor.com/agent
Agent uses reasoning and tools to solve problems.
Without agent, Cursor will just manage code.
You can use the Agent from the Composer.
Caution❗
Looks like we can't make the most of Cursor for the free plan.
https://docs.cursor.com/account/plans
GPT-4, GPT-4o, and Claude 3.5 Sonnet are counted as premium models.
Free plan has only 50 slow premium model uses per month.
It is too less for regular use of Cursor.
On the other side, pro plan has 500 fast premium model requests per month, and unlimited slow premium model requests per month.
Pro plan costs $20/month, but it's worthwhile to use Cursor the best.
Comparison of AI code assistant🧐
| Name | Price | Speed | Telemetry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cursor | △ | Fast | Off |
| Codeium | Free | Fast | △ |
| Continue | Free | △ | Off |
1️⃣ Cursor
Response speed and telemetry setting was OK with Cousor.
However, free plan had limited access to services.
We need to change to pro plan to get full advantage of Cursor.
2️⃣ Codeium
Free to use and response speed was OK with Codeium.
However, I couldn't opt out telemetry when using Chat.
3️⃣ Continue
Free to use and telemetry setting were OK with Continue.
However, running LLM locally was so slow on my PC.
Outro
Using Cursor, we can reap the benefits of AI coding assistant.
Cursor is so easy and convenient, and runs fast.
I introduced three AI code assistant, Continue, Codeium and Cursor.
And, each of them has pros and cons.
So, we need to choose the one that matches our needs.
I might write another post, if I learn more about AI coding assistant.
Thank you for reading.
Happy AI coding!🧠
Update (2025/02/28): Wrote about Gemini Code Assist
🧠🤖AI code assistant 4 (free and fast and safe (Gemini Code Assist))
https://dev.to/webdeveloperhyper/ai-code-assistant-4-free-and-fast-and-safe-gemini-code-assist-phd
Top comments (4)
I absolutely love Cursor! Currently I’m using the free version, but I definitely will be upgrading.
I haven’t tried codeium, did you run it in VS Code or standalone?
Thank you for your comment!😊
I also think
Cursoris great.I tried VSCode extension made by Codeium, but haven't tried
WindsurfEditor made by Codeium.Windsurfalso seems like a good AI code assistant.codeium.com/windsurf
How to sandbox Cursor in Ubuntu? Failed to run it using Firejail, AppArmor.
I never trust Cloud-based corporations. They all stole your data, imagine if your unique code project will appear as a request of AI prompt in some other node.
Sorry, I don't know how to use Cursor in Ubuntu.
According to privacy page of Cursor, we can set Privacy Mode.
cursor.com/privacy
Also, about security of Cursor.
cursor.com/security