823: Is Cursor AI the VS Code Killer?

Key takeaways

Cursor AI is gaining recognition as a robust AI coding assistant with potential advantages over existing tools like GitHub Copilot.
The user interface and experience of Cursor are appealing, making it accessible for users already familiar with VS Code.
Cursor's unique features such as Smart Rewrites and multi-line auto-complete significantly enhance coding productivity.
AI tools are designed to assist developers, not replace them, highlighting the importance of developers' oversight in AI-generated code.
The pricing of $20 a month for Cursor can be seen as a worthwhile investment for those seeking to improve coding efficiency, depending on individual use cases.

Summary

Overview of Cursor AI

Wes and Scott dive into the new coding assistant, Cursor AI, discussing its impact on the coding landscape and how it aims to surpass other tools like GitHub Copilot. They express their genuine enthusiasm for Cursor, citing its superior performance and funding as key factors in its rise.

User Experience and Transition from VS Code

A significant part of the conversation revolves around the user experience of Cursor, highlighting its intuitive UI and how it builds upon existing VS Code features. They discuss why Cursor's design makes it more than just a plugin, making the transition smoother for existing VS Code users.

Unique Features of Cursor

The podcast details notable features of Cursor, including 'Smart Rewrites', multi-line auto-complete, and the ability to manage documentation context within the code editor. Wes and Scott share examples of how these functionalities have enhanced their coding efficiency.

The AI Assistant Debate

Scott and Wes address the skepticism surrounding AI coding assistants. They emphasize that AI tools like Cursor are meant to augment development work rather than replace developers entirely, discussing the delicate balance between helpful suggestions and overwhelming prompts.

Pricing and Value Assessment

The discussion culminates in a debate about Cursor's pricing of $20 per month, with both hosts weighing the perceived value against other coding assistants. They conclude that while Cursor offers significant advantages, whether it is worth the investment depends on personal circumstances.

Show notes

Scott and Wes serve up a discussion on AI coding assistants with a deep look at Cursor AI, exploring its unique features like multi-line auto-complete and Smart Rewrites. They also discuss why Cursor’s intuitive UI stands out and tackle the big question: is it worth the investment?
Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
01:16 Brought to you by Sentry.io.
01:48 Handling objections around AI assistants.
02:55 Context windows and how they’re improving functionality. Syntax.fm Episode 728 with Kevin Hou of Codeium

04:08 Cursor’s UI.
04:51 This is cool, why is it not a plugin?
08:12 What makes the UI interesting.
09:13 Smart Rewrites.
11:44 It can create multiple files.
13:05 Using the chat interface.
16:32 Another chat example.
20:22 The main features of Cursor.
21:55 Multi-line auto-complete.
23:55 Using docs for additional context.
27:26 AI is here to help you, not replace you.
33:27 Is it worth it?
33:55 The pricing.
44:10 Sick Picks & Shameless Plugs.
Sick Picks Scott: The Iron Historian, Scott’s Salt & Pepper Mills.
Wes: Oxo Salt & Pepper Mills.
Shameless Plugs Scott: Syntax.fm Zed Theme.
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