How to Use Cursor IDE for Web Development in 2026

Cursor IDE has quickly become the preferred editor for web developers who want AI-assisted coding. Built on VS Code, it adds AI features that understand your entire project and can make changes across multiple files simultaneously.

Initial Setup for Web Development

1. Download Cursor from cursor.com
2. Import your VS Code settings and extensions (automatic on first launch)
3. Open your web project folder
4. Let Cursor index your codebase (takes 30-60 seconds for most projects)

Essential AI Features

Cmd+K: Inline Edit

Select code and press Cmd+K (Ctrl+K on Windows) to tell the AI what to change. It edits the selected code in place. Perfect for refactoring functions, changing styles, or updating component logic.

Cmd+L: AI Chat

Open the AI sidebar to ask questions about your codebase, debug errors, or plan implementations. Reference specific files with @ mentions for targeted context.

Composer: Multi-File Editing

The Composer (Cmd+Shift+I) can create and edit multiple files at once. Describe a feature and it generates or modifies all necessary files: components, styles, tests, and types.

Web Development Workflows

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Cmd+K: Inline AI edit
• Cmd+L: Open AI chat
• Cmd+Shift+I: Open Composer
• Cmd+Shift+E: Toggle AI suggestions
• Tab: Accept autocomplete suggestion

Framework-Specific Tips

React / Next.js

Cursor excels with React. It understands JSX, hooks, and component patterns. Use @ to reference your component library for consistent code generation.

Tailwind CSS

Describe the visual result you want and Cursor generates appropriate Tailwind classes. It understands the utility-first approach and produces clean class combinations.

Best Practices

• Add a .cursorrules file to set project-specific AI instructions
• Reference documentation with @ for framework-specific accuracy
• Review all AI-generated code before committing
• Use the Composer for large changes and Cmd+K for small edits

Compare AI coding tools in our Cursor IDE tips for faster coding and best AI coding tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cursor better than VS Code for web development?

Cursor is built on VS Code so you get all VS Code features plus deeply integrated AI. For web development, the AI chat that understands your entire codebase and can edit multiple files at once is a significant upgrade.

How much does Cursor cost?

Cursor offers a free tier with limited AI usage, a Pro plan at $20/month with full AI features, and a Business plan at $40/month with team features. The Pro plan is sufficient for most individual web developers.

Can Cursor handle large web projects?

Yes. Cursor indexes your entire project for AI context, supports monorepos, and handles projects with thousands of files. It uses efficient indexing to keep AI responses fast even in large codebases.