Cursor's interface extends VS Code with three AI-native panels that fundamentally change how you write code:
| Panel | Shortcut | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Chat | Ctrl+L | Ask questions about code, get explanations |
| Inline Edit | Ctrl+K | Edit code in-place with natural language |
| Composer | Ctrl+I | Multi-file project-wide edits and agent mode |
The left sidebar includes standard VS Code items (Explorer, Search, Git) plus Cursor-specific entries for AI Chat history and Composer sessions.
In the bottom-right corner, you'll find the model selector. Cursor supports multiple AI models including Claude Sonnet 4.6, Claude Opus 4.7, GPT-4o, GPT-5, and Gemini. The Auto mode intelligently routes requests to the optimal model for each task type.
Auto mode is unlimited on paid plans and doesn't consume your credit pool — it's the most cost-effective way to use Cursor daily.