BuildBotsBetterGuided Build · Developer Tools
Set Up Cursor Agent
Install Cursor, configure the Hobby plan, launch the agent panel and CLI, select models, and run your first reversible task.
- Time: 15 min
- Cost: $0 free Hobby plan
- Stack: Cursor · Cursor Agent CLI · PowerShell
- Platform: Windows 10/11
- 1. Install
- 2. Hobby Plan
- 3. Agent CLI
- 4. Model Picker
- 5. First Task
Cursor gives you both a graphical editor and a standalone agent CLI. Let us install the tool and check our setup.
Install Cursor & Cursor Agent CLI
Cursor is an AI-first code editor built on VS Code. The standalone Cursor Agent CLI can be installed directly with PowerShell or winget.
Run the official installer command in PowerShell:
irm 'https://cursor.com/install?win32=true' | iex
✓ Observable Checkpoint
The installer unpacks Cursor Agent binaries into AppData\Local\cursor-agent and adds the folder to your user PATH. Running cursor-agent --version outputs the active build release.
Troubleshooting: PATH command collision with Grok's agent.exe
agent runs Grok Build on your system, use cursor-agent or invoke the full script: & "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\cursor-agent\cursor-agent.ps1".
Configure the Free Hobby Plan
The Cursor Hobby plan gives you two weeks of Pro trial access followed by monthly free fast premium requests and unlimited slower requests. Sign in through the CLI or editor.
Authenticate your CLI session or verify current credentials:
cursor-agent login
✓ Observable Checkpoint
A browser window opens to authenticator.cursor.sh. After confirming your account in the browser, the CLI confirms: Successfully logged in!
Troubleshooting: Headless or SSH session?
$env:CURSOR_API_KEY = "your-key" or copy your session token directly to bypass interactive browser redirects.
Launch the Agent Panel & Terminal Mode
Cursor supports two modes of interaction: the in-editor Agent chat panel (press Ctrl+Shift+J or Ctrl+I) and the interactive command-line terminal agent.
Start a terminal session in your project directory:
cd "C:\My Projects\BuildBotsBetter"; cursor-agent
✓ Observable Checkpoint
The interactive agent header appears showing the active workspace directory, connected account, and prompt input line.
Troubleshooting: ExecutionPolicy restriction
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command cursor-agent.
Model Picker & Repository Rules
Cursor Agent lets you switch models dynamically or configure custom local models. Adding a .cursorrules or AGENTS.md file in your repository guides the agent on coding conventions.
Inspect project rules and specify your preferred model:
cursor-agent --model claude-3-5-sonnet "List the first three rules from AGENTS.md"
✓ Observable Checkpoint
The agent reads AGENTS.md in the repository, processes the instructions, and prints the exact project rules cleanly.
Troubleshooting: Rate limits on Hobby plan
cursor-fast or connect to your local Ollama endpoint via custom OpenAI base URL.
Execute Your First Reversible Task
Always work on an isolated git branch when having an agent modify files. That way you can inspect every diff before committing or revert immediately if unsatisfied.
Create a feature branch, run a guided task, and inspect the git diff:
git checkout -b practice-agent; cursor-agent "Create a hello.py script with project logging"; git diff
✓ Observable Finish Line
The agent creates hello.py with appropriate error handling and logging. Running git diff lets you review every line before merging!
PS C:\Users\learner> irm 'https://cursor.com/install?win32=true' | iex Downloading Cursor Agent... Extracting to AppData\Local\cursor-agent... Added to PATH: C:\Users\learner\AppData\Local\cursor-agent PS C:\Users\learner> cursor-agent --version cursor-agent 2026.09.26-dd393fe Ready for Step 1.