open-cursor
by noah-thing
The free, open source Cursor alternative. An AI code editor that runs on your own API key, your Claude Code or Codex plan, local models, or free models.
50stars
11forks
TypeScript
Added 11/10/2026
Available after the catalog security scan passes.
⚠️ Third-Party Software Notice
This skill is third-party open-source software developed and hosted independently on GitHub. SkillsLLM is an informational directory and does not control or maintain the underlying repository.
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Review the source code, permissions, dependencies, and configuration before installing or running any third-party skill. Use is at your own risk. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, SkillsLLM is not liable for losses arising from third-party software.
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AI Agentsaiai-agentai-code-editorai-idebyokclaude-codecode-editorcode-osscodexcoding-agentcursor-alternativeelectronfree-aillmlocal-llmmcpollamaopen-sourceopenroutervscode
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Installation
# Add to your Claude Code skills
git clone https://github.com/noah-thing/open-cursorGetting Started
Guides for using ai agents skills like open-cursor.
- Caveman: Cut Claude Token Use by 65%How agent-side prompt compression works, when to use it, and when not to.
- How to Test an AI Skill: A Practical Guide to EvalsEvaluate skills with realistic fixtures, a baseline, and repeatable checks.
- Getting Started with AI SkillsFirst-time install walkthrough for Claude Code, Codex CLI, and ChatGPT.
Compare with similar skills
See how open-cursor compares with popular alternatives.
OpenCursor is a fork of Code - OSS with an agent, Tab completion and inline editing built in. It is laid out the way Cursor is, so the habits carry over: Cmd+K edits in place, Cmd+L sends your selection to the agent, Tab finishes the line. Your VS Code extensions, themes and settings work as they always did.
What sets it apart is who you pay. Point it at an API key, a model running on your machine, or the Claude Code, Codex, Grok or Gemini CLI you are already signed in to. Requests go straight from your computer to that provider.
Quick setup
macOS and Linux
curl -fsSL https://opencursor.org/install.sh | sh
Windows (PowerShell)
irm https://opencursor.org/install.ps1 | iex
The script picks the build for your system and processor from the latest release and installs it: the app in Applications on macOS, the .deb or .rpm on Linux (or a portable copy in ~/.local when neither fits), the per user setup on Windows. Set OPENCURSOR_VERSION=v0.1.0 to install a specific release.
Then open OpenCursor and pick a model on the start screen: a subscription you are signed in to, a local model, or an API key. New versions show up as a notice in the app; Update installs them on restart, and Enable auto updates lets later versions download in the background and install when you quit.
Download
Prefer to install by hand? Grab the latest build from Releases.
| Platform | Files |
|---|---|
| macOS | macos-arm64.dmg (Apple Silicon), macos-x64.dmg (Intel) |
| Windows | windows-x64-setup.exe or windows-arm64-setup.exe, or a portable .zip |
| Linux | .deb, .rpm or .tar.gz, for x64 and arm64 |
Builds are not signed yet, so the first launch of a downloaded file needs one extra step. The install commands above skip it.
- macOS: open the app once, then System Settings > Privacy & Security > Open Anyway.
- Windows: on the SmartScreen prompt, choose More info > Run anyway.
Features
Models
| Source | Examples |
|---|---|
| Free | OpenCode's free models with no account, installed in one click; free keys from OpenRouter, Groq, Google Gemini, NVIDIA, Z.ai, Mistral and SambaNova |
| Subscription | Claude Code, Codex CLI, Grok CLI, Gemini CLI |
| Local | Ollama, LM Studio or any OpenAI compatible server, on this computer or another on your network. Run a Model on This Computer checks your memory and graphics card, lists the models that fit and installs Ollama plus the model in one click |
| API key | Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, OpenRouter, DeepSeek, xAI, Mistral, Groq, NVIDIA, Z.ai, SambaNova |
A subscription runs the CLI you already use in the background, so you keep OpenCursor's chat, review and checkpoints while the work counts against your plan. With a free key connected, Free (auto) moves to another free model when one hits its limit. API keys stay in your system keychain.
Codebase index
Semantic codebase search needs an embedding model, set in Settings > Indexing. auto uses an OpenAI key, then a Gemini key, then an embedding model it finds on Ollama, LM Studio or your custom server. To pick one yourself, write provider/model:
| Backend | Embedding model setting |
|---|---|
| OpenAI | openai/text-embedding-3-small |
| Google Gemini | google/gemini-embedding-001 |
| Ollama | ollama/nomic-embed-text |
| LM Studio | lmstudio/text-embedding-nomic-embed-text-v1.5 |
| Any OpenAI compatible server (vLLM, llama.cpp, LiteLLM, LocalAI) | custom/<model id>, with the server address in Settings > Models > Custom, for example http://localhost:8000/v1, and a key there if it needs one |
The Status line under Indexing tells you why nothing is indexed, for example when no model was found or the server did not answer. Without an embedding model, search falls back to plain text matching. Files are only sent off your computer and local network after you allow it, and never from a folder in Restricted Mode.
Development
You need Node 24 (see .nvmrc) and the usual VS Code build prerequisites.
npm ci
npm run compile
./scripts/code.sh
The AI extension builds on its own and is bundled into the app:
cd extensions/open-cursor
npm ci
node .esbuild.mts --watch
Package a macOS build with ./scripts/open-cursor/package-mac.sh arm64. End to end scenarios that drive a real window live in scripts/open-cursor/scenarios; ./scripts/open-cursor/test-all.sh runs them all.
OpenCursor's own code is small and sits beside the upstream tree.
extensions/open-cursor/ the AI extension
src/agent/ chat, agent loop, modes, tools
src/providers/ model providers
src/cliAgents/ Claude Code, Codex, Grok, Gemini and OpenCode adapters
src/help/ Help mode: manual, instant answers, in app links
src/tab/ src/inline/ Tab and Cmd+K
src/edits/ review and checkpoints
src/context/ src/indexing/ @ mentions, rules, codebase index
webview/src/ chat and settings interfaces
src/vs/workbench/contrib/openCursor/ inline diff and the Cmd+K box
src/vs/code/electron-main/ menu bar item
See ARCHITECTURE.md for how the pieces fit together.
Privacy
There is no account and no server between you and your models: requests go from your computer straight to the provider, and API keys stay in your system keychain. Once a day OpenCursor sends an anonymous install count, a random ID made on your computer plus the version and OS, so we know how many people use it. Nothing about you, your code, chats or keys is sent. Turn it off in Settings > General > Privacy. The counter's code is in stats/. Report a Problem sends only what you write there plus the app details it lists before you send (version, system, model, the error); never code, chats or keys.
Contributing
Issues and pull requests are welcome. Run npm run typecheck in extensions/open-cursor before opening one, and keep changes to upstream VS Code files small so newer Code - OSS releases merge cleanly.
License
MIT. Built on Code - OSS by Microsoft, also
Frequently Asked Questions
What is open-cursor?
open-cursor is an open-source ai agents skill for AI coding assistants such as Claude Code, Codex CLI, and ChatGPT, built by noah-thing. The free, open source Cursor alternative. An AI code editor that runs on your own API key, your Claude Code or Codex plan, local models, or free models. It has 50 GitHub stars.
Is open-cursor safe to use?
open-cursor's catalog security scan is still queued. You can run an instant dependency and prompt-injection check now with the "Scan for vulnerabilities" button above.
How do I install open-cursor?
Clone the repository with "git clone https://github.com/noah-thing/open-cursor" and add it to your Claude Code skills directory (see the Installation section above).
What programming language is open-cursor written in?
open-cursor is primarily written in TypeScript. It is open-source under noah-thing on GitHub, so you can review or fork the full source.
Are there alternatives to open-cursor?
Yes. SkillsLLM lists many other AI Agents skills you can browse and compare side by side. Open the AI Agents category from the badge at the top of this page, or use the Related Skills and comparison links further down to weigh open-cursor against similar tools.
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