Core Features: Tips 16-30

These core features are the building blocks of every advanced Cursor workflow. Master these 15 tips and you’ll navigate your codebase with unprecedented speed and precision.

Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

Tip 16: Master the Core AI Interaction Shortcuts

Memorize these fundamental shortcuts—they’re the gateway to all AI features:

Ctrl+K

Inline Edit: Modify selected code with natural language

Ctrl+I

Agent/Chat: Open AI assistant for complex tasks

Ctrl+E

Background Agent: Deploy autonomous coding assistant

Ctrl+L

Toggle Sidepanel: Quick access to chat history

Platform Note: All Ctrl shortcuts use Cmd on macOS

Tip 17: Navigate Between AI Modes Efficiently

Switch contexts without losing momentum:

# Quick mode switching
Ctrl+.          # Open mode menu
Ctrl+/          # Cycle through AI models
Ctrl+Shift+J    # Jump to Cursor settings
Ctrl+,          # General VS Code settings

Pro Workflow: Use Ctrl+. to quickly switch between Ask mode (exploration) and Agent mode (implementation) based on your current task.

Tip 18: Command Palette Power Usage

The Command Palette is your universal launcher:

AI Commands
Navigation

Ctrl+Shift+P → Type to filter:
- "Cursor: New Rule" - Create project rules
- "Cursor: Start Onboarding" - Revisit setup
- "Cursor: Bug Finder" - Analyze recent changes
- "Cursor: Generate Commit Message" - AI commits

Ctrl+P - Quick file open
Ctrl+T - Symbol search across workspace
Ctrl+Shift+O - Symbol search in current file
Ctrl+G - Go to line number

Natural Language Integration

Tip 19: Write Effective Natural Language Prompts

Transform vague ideas into precise code changes:

Instead of: “Make this better” Write: “Refactor this function to handle edge cases for null inputs and add proper error logging”

Instead of: “Fix the bug” Write: “The authentication fails when the token expires. Update the middleware to refresh tokens automatically”

Pattern for Success:

State the current problem
Describe the desired outcome
Mention any constraints or requirements

Tip 20: Leverage Conversational Context

Cursor maintains conversation context intelligently:

// First prompt: "Create a user authentication service"
// Cursor generates basic auth service

// Follow-up: "Add password reset functionality"
// Cursor understands this refers to the auth service

// Follow-up: "Now add email verification"
// Builds on previous context automatically

Best Practice: Start broad, then refine with follow-ups rather than trying to specify everything upfront.

Tip 21: Use Descriptive Selection for Context

When selecting code before using Ctrl+K, be strategic:

// Poor selection: Just the function name
calculateTotal

// Good selection: Include full function context
function calculateTotal(items, taxRate) {
  return items.reduce((sum, item) => sum + item.price, 0) * (1 + taxRate);
}

// Best selection: Include usage context too
function calculateTotal(items, taxRate) {
  return items.reduce((sum, item) => sum + item.price, 0) * (1 + taxRate);
}

// Usage
const total = calculateTotal(cartItems, 0.08);

Tip 22: Smart File Opening Strategies

Navigate large projects efficiently:

# Quick file access patterns
Ctrl+P                    # Fuzzy file search
@symbol                   # Search symbols in current file
#symbol                   # Search symbols in workspace
:42                      # Go to line 42 in current file
filename:42              # Go to line 42 in specific file

Power Move: Combine searches: Ctrl+P → UserController#login to jump directly to the login method in UserController.

Enable and customize breadcrumbs for complex codebases:

{
  "breadcrumbs.enabled": true,
  "breadcrumbs.showFiles": true,
  "breadcrumbs.showSymbols": true,
  "breadcrumbs.showArrays": true,
  "breadcrumbs.showBooleans": true,
  "breadcrumbs.showClasses": true
}

Click any breadcrumb segment to navigate or see siblings at that level.

Tip 24: Master Multi-Cursor Editing

Combine multi-cursor with AI for powerful edits:

# Multi-cursor shortcuts
Alt+Click                 # Add cursor
Ctrl+Alt+Up/Down         # Add cursor above/below
Ctrl+D                   # Select next occurrence
Ctrl+Shift+L             # Select all occurrences

AI Integration: Select multiple similar code blocks with multi-cursor, then use Ctrl+K to transform them all consistently.

Terminal Integration

Tip 25: AI-Powered Terminal Commands

Use Ctrl+K in the terminal for natural language commands:

# Instead of remembering complex commands:
git log --graph --pretty=format:'%Cred%h%Creset -%C(yellow)%d%Creset %s %Cgreen(%cr) %C(bold blue)<%an>%Creset' --abbrev-commit

# Just type Ctrl+K and say:
"Show git history as a graph with colors"

# More examples:
"List all Docker containers including stopped ones"
"Find all TypeScript files modified in the last week"
"Kill process on port 3000"

Tip 26: Terminal Context Preservation

Configure terminal to maintain context across sessions:

{
  "terminal.integrated.persistentSessionReviveProcess": "onExitAndWindowClose",
  "terminal.integrated.enablePersistentSessions": true,
  "terminal.integrated.shellIntegration.enabled": true
}

This preserves your terminal state, making it easier for AI to understand your workflow context.

Window and Panel Management

Tip 27: Optimize Layout for AI Workflows

Set up your ideal workspace layout:

# View layouts
Ctrl+1/2/3              # Focus editor groups
Ctrl+B                  # Toggle sidebar
Ctrl+J                  # Toggle panel (terminal)
Ctrl+Shift+E            # Focus explorer
Ctrl+Shift+F            # Focus search
Ctrl+Shift+G            # Focus source control

Recommended Layout:

Left: File explorer (narrow)
Center: Main editor (70% width)
Right: AI Chat panel (30% width)
Bottom: Terminal (collapsed until needed)

Tip 28: Use Split Editors Effectively

Work with related files simultaneously:

# Split editor commands
Ctrl+\                  # Split editor right
Ctrl+K Ctrl+\          # Split editor down
Alt+Click on tab       # Open in split editor
Ctrl+1/2/3             # Focus editor group

AI Workflow: Open implementation in left pane, tests in right pane. Use Agent mode to update both simultaneously.

Extension Integration

Tip 29: Essential Cursor-Optimized Extensions

Install extensions that enhance AI workflows:

GitLens

Enhanced git integration with AI-friendly blame annotations

Error Lens

Inline error display that AI can read and fix

Project Manager

Quick switching between projects with preserved context

TODO Tree

Track TODOs that AI can help complete

Install via Command Palette:

Ctrl+Shift+P → "Extensions: Install Extension" → Search by name

Tip 30: Configure Extensions for AI Compatibility

Ensure extensions don’t interfere with AI features:

{
  // Disable auto-formatting that might conflict with AI edits
  "editor.formatOnSave": false,
  "editor.formatOnPaste": false,

  // But enable for specific languages
  "[typescript]": {
    "editor.formatOnSave": true
  },

  // Configure linters to work with AI
  "eslint.autoFixOnSave": false, // Let AI handle fixes
  "eslint.enable": true, // But still show errors
}

Putting It All Together

Real-World Workflow Example

Here’s how these core features combine in practice:

1. Ctrl+P → Open unfamiliar file
2. Ctrl+Shift+O → Browse file symbols
3. Ctrl+I → "Explain how this authentication flow works"
4. Use breadcrumbs to navigate related files

1. Ctrl+K → Select function → "Add input validation"
2. Ctrl+\ → Split to see tests
3. Ctrl+I → "Update tests for new validation"
4. Ctrl+K in terminal → "Run only auth tests"

1. Ctrl+Shift+G → Check git changes
2. Ctrl+Shift+P → "Bug finder"
3. Fix any issues with Ctrl+K
4. Generate commit message with AI

Practice Exercises

To master these features, try these exercises:

Speed Navigation: Open a large project and navigate to 5 specific functions using only keyboard shortcuts. Time yourself and try to beat your record.
Natural Language Refactor: Select a complex function and refactor it using only natural language instructions. No manual typing!
Terminal Mastery: Complete 10 terminal tasks using only Ctrl+K natural language commands.
Layout Optimization: Set up your ideal layout and save it as a workspace. Practice switching between different layout presets.

Next Steps

Now that you’ve mastered core features, it’s time to dive deep into Tab Autocomplete - Cursor’s intelligent prediction system that can dramatically accelerate your coding speed.