Getting Started

Migrating from VS Code to Cursor: Complete Setup Guide

MarkAICode April 23, 2026

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Seamlessly migrate from VS Code to Cursor IDE in 30 minutes. Import extensions, keybindings, themes, and settings with one click.

Cursor is built on VS Code open-source, making migration seamless with one-click import.

Step-by-Step Migration

Step 1: Download

Navigate to cursor.com and download the installer for your OS (Mac, Windows, or Linux).

Step 2: Automatic Import

On first launch, Cursor offers to import your VS Code settings automatically. Click "Import" to proceed.

Step 3: Manual Import (if needed)

Go to Settings (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + J) > General > Account > Import from VS Code. Ensure the Extensions option is checked.

What Gets Migrated

Extensions: Re-downloaded in compatible versions
Keybindings.json: Preserving your muscle memory
UI State: Themes, icon packs, and window layouts
User Settings: All VS Code configuration

Configuration Paths

Windows: %APPDATA%\Cursor\User\settings.json
macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User/settings.json
Linux: ~/.config/Cursor/User/settings.json

Important Notes

Most VS Code extensions work directly in Cursor
Cursor does NOT sync with Microsoft Settings Sync - use a Gist or Dotfiles repo instead
Some extensions may need manual re-configuration

After Migration: Explore Cursor Features

Cmd+K: Inline AI editing
Cmd+L: AI chat pane
Cmd+I: Composer for multi-file editing
Privacy Mode: Enable in Settings for code privacy

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