Can AI make coding effortless? We tested Cursor IDE to find out
‍

Our Front-end Competence Lead, Linas Jonas, recently tested Cursor IDE—an AI-powered coding assistant designed to enhance development workflows. While we’ve worked with other AI tools like GitHub Copilot, Cursor introduces deeper context awareness and more advanced automation, offering significant time-saving solutions to complex problems.

‍
What sets Cursor apart?
‍

Cursor is more than just an autocomplete tool; it’s an AI-driven coding assistant that integrates seamlessly into your workflow. Unlike GitHub Copilot, which focuses on inline code suggestions, Cursor takes AI-assisted development a step further with features like Cursor Chat and Cursor Composer. These tools allow developers to provide detailed context, reference APIs, and link documentation, enabling Cursor to tackle intricate coding challenges, apply large-scale changes, and significantly boost efficiency.
‍

During a live demonstration, we tested how Cursor handles real-world coding scenarios. The results? AI-powered coding is faster, more accessible, and highly effective—but it still requires careful human oversight. While Cursor provides powerful automation, it’s crucial to review its output rigorously to ensure accuracy and maintainability.

‍

‍The 70% problem: AI’s learning curve paradox  

‍‍‍

AI tools, including Cursor, excel in the early stages of development. As non-engineers and engineers alike have discovered, AI can quickly handle about 70% of a task—generating prototypes, boilerplate code, or automating repetitive steps. However, the final 30% often becomes a challenge. This “70% problem” illustrates a key limitation of AI-assisted development: while tools like v0 or Bolt create impressive prototypes, they falter on edge cases and require human expertise to refine and finalise.

‍‍

Who benefits most from Cursor?

‍

For senior developers: Cursor enhances efficiency by automating known patterns, refactoring code, and suggesting alternative solutions. It’s a valuable assistant for rapid prototyping and automating repetitive tasks, allowing experienced engineers to focus on high-value problem-solving.

For junior developers: Cursor offers a double-edged sword. While it can accelerate learning by suggesting solutions and generating code, relying too heavily on AI without understanding the output can lead to fragile, error-prone systems. Juniors should use Cursor as a guide—not a crutch—and always take time to review and understand AI-generated code.

‍

Key takeaways from our experience

‍

• Break tasks into smaller steps for AI to handle more effectively.

• Provide detailed context—Cursor thrives when given specific prompts and references.

• Review AI-generated code rigorously, just as you would with a junior developer’s work.

• Use AI for rapid prototyping, refactoring, and documentation, but exercise caution when applying it to critical or legacy systems.

Final thoughts: is Cursor worth using?

‍

AI-assisted coding is evolving rapidly, and Cursor is a strong contender in this space. While it won’t replace developers, it’s a powerful tool for boosting productivity, enhancing creativity, and accelerating routine coding tasks. Used wisely, Cursor can help developers focus on what truly matters—solving complex problems and building robust, scalable software. Curious about how AI can elevate your coding workflow? Give Cursor a try and see where it fits into your development process.