Basics
Your First Project in Cursor: Open a Folder and Run Agent
Open Cursor, choose File > Open Folder and select your project. Press ⌘I on Mac or CtrlI on Windows and Linux to open the Agent panel, type a request such as "Add a dark mode toggle to the settings page", and send it. Agent explores the codebase, edits files and shows its changes for review.
On this page
How do I open a project in Cursor?
Cursor opens a folder, not a file. That is the one habit to break if you are coming from an editor where you open individual files: the folder is what Agent searches, so a project opened as a folder is a project Agent can reason about.
- 1Open Cursor.
- 2Click File > Open Folder.
- 3Select the folder for your project.
This is covered hands-on in Cursor First Hour — 4 short modules, free to read.
How do I start using Agent?
Agent is Cursor's AI assistant, and Cursor is specific about its reach: it can search your codebase, edit files, and run terminal commands. Three steps to the first run.
- 1Open the Agent panel: Cmd + I on Mac, Ctrl + I on Windows and Linux.
- 2Type a request. Cursor's own example: "Add a dark mode toggle to the settings page."
- 3Hit send. Agent explores your codebase, edits files, and shows its changes.
The same agents run from the browser at cursor.com/agents as Cloud AgentsAgents that run in a Cursor-managed virtual machine, check out the repo, do the work and open a pull request, then shut down, with no load on your laptop. Press Enter for the full definition., which is the option when you want work to continue without your machine involved. The full behaviour of Agent modeCursor's full-capability mode: the AI can read the codebase, write and edit files, move them and run terminal commands. Contrast with Ask mode, which is read-only. Press Enter for the full definition. is documented in the agent overview.
How do I review Agent's changes?
Agent's edits are applied as it works, so you are reviewing a change that already exists rather than approving one before it lands. Review them in the diff view and reject anything you do not want.
Edits appearing in your files is the agent working, not you agreeing. The diff view is where the decision happens, and rejecting is a normal outcome.
How do I give Agent more context?
By default Agent searches your codebase itself, so on a first project you often do not need to do anything. When you do want to point it somewhere specific, type @ in the chat input and name the file or folder, for example @auth.ts or @src/components/.
- Finding files
- Agent searches the codebase automatically
- Pointing at a file
@in the chat input, then the file or folder name- Changing how it behaves
- Rules, once you know what you want it to do differently
The two follow-on topics Cursor links from its first-project page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I open a project in Cursor?
Open Cursor, click File > Open Folder, and select your project folder. Cursor works on a folder rather than individual files, and that folder is what Agent searches.
What is the shortcut to open Agent?
Cmd + I on Mac, Ctrl + I on Windows and Linux. Type your request and send it; Agent explores the codebase, edits files and shows its changes.
Do I have to approve edits before Agent makes them?
No. Agent applies its edits as it works. You review them afterwards in the diff view and reject anything you do not want.
Can I run agents without opening Cursor?
Yes. Cloud Agents run from the browser at cursor.com/agents, so work continues without your local editor open.
Sources & last verified
Cursor ships frequently. Facts verified against primary sources on July 27, 2026.
Keep reading
Rather do it than read about it? Run 11 interactive Cursor walkthroughs in a simulated editor. Free, no account needed.