Introduction

Cursor 2.0 launched on October 29, 2025, and I am still figuring out whether Cursor 2 is right for my projects. If you’re wondering whether this upgrade is worth your time (and learning curve), here’s a clean, honest look.

TL;DR: Cursor 2.0 is a fundamental shift toward delegation.

It features the blazing-fast Composer model.
The workflow centers on autonomous agents.
Security is handled by the Sandboxed Terminal.
It feels less like “VS Code with AI” and more like “an AI development workspace where you guide agents.”

Cursor 1.x vs 2.0: What Actually Changed?

This is the question most of us care about. Here’s the balanced and honest snapshot of what shifted.

Cursor 1.x	Cursor 2.0
Familiar VS Code-like layout	New “Agent View” that centres around autonomous AI tasks
AI as an assistant that edits your open file	AI agents that work across many files at once
Mostly powered by external models (GPT-4/5, Claude, etc.)	Composer – Cursor’s own model, trained for coding[2]
Manual approval/Allowlist (Sandboxing in late 1.7 Beta for “beta testers only”)[4]	Sandboxed Terminal (GA/Default for safe execution)[6]
Multi-file changes were possible but limited	Strong codebase-wide reasoning + semantic search[1]
Manual browser testing	Built-in browser (GA) for agent testing loops[7]
Text-based chat only	New Voice Mode for hands-free delegation[6]
AI felt like autocomplete-plus	Stronger Agent Autonomy: AI feels more like a junior developer you delegate entire tasks to

Please note that Cursor 2.0 introduced an early Voice Mode that lets you delegate tasks and ask questions through spoken interaction — more like talking to your coding assistant than full voice-to-code dictation.

The Browser feature moved to General Availability (GA) in 2.0 (after a 1.7 beta) and now supports powerful new tools for agents, like element selection, making it a true workflow component for front-end tasks.

If you prefer using Cursor 1, you can also refer to any HTML element, for instance, using the "Inspect" context menu in the Google Chrome browser, and copy the element or its selector, and refer to it in the chat for the required fixes.

In short: Cursor 1.x helped you write code faster.
Cursor 2.0 wants to change how you build software by letting agents handle the complete workflow.

If you preferred the old “I drive, AI assists” workflow, you can still use the classic layout. But the new agent-centric approach is where Cursor sees the future.

Why Cursor 2.0 Matters

There are many AI coding tools — GitHub Copilot, Windsurf, Amazon Q Developer, newer VS Code extensions, and more. So why look at this one?

Agent Autonomy and Safety: The Sandboxed Terminal 🔒

The biggest shift is the move toward autonomous agents. A critical security feature that balances this increased freedom is the Sandboxed Terminal.

In 2.0, when an Agent runs a command (like npm install, running tests, or shell commands), it executes in an isolated environment. This “cleanroom” approach is secured by default:

It restricts Agent read/write access to only your open workspace and temporary files.
By default, it blocks network access, preventing agents from making external calls.

This means you can delegate complex installation, testing, and system checks with a significantly lower risk profile. Safety is now baked into the workflow.

Voice Mode: Talking to your codebase 🗣️

The new Voice Mode is a surprisingly useful feature for hands-free coding. You can delegate tasks, ask questions about the codebase, or initiate refactors just by speaking, making the agent feel more like a verbal partner than a text box. It’s excellent when you’re leaning back and thinking through a complex problem.

Faster results you can feel

The new Composer model is built for speed. Cursor claims it’s around 4× faster than similar coding-intelligent models[2]. In practice, most tasks finish in under 30 seconds — and that speed genuinely changes how often you rely on AI.

It understands your entire codebase

Instead of just guessing the next line of code, Composer can reason about the relationships across your project. Its semantic search and codebase context make a noticeable difference in navigating and updating larger codebases[1][3].

Agents that can work in parallel

Cursor 2.0 lets you run multiple agents at once on different ideas or tasks. Testing three refactoring strategies in parallel? Possible. Though keep in mind: parallel agents = parallel cost.

Tip: Start with one agent until you get a feel for its “personality”. No need to unleash the whole orchestra on day one.

A Quick Look at the Composer Model

If you’re curious what makes Composer different from GPT or Claude:

Built specifically for coding, trained with reinforcement learning inside real dev environments[2]
Uses a Mixture-of-Experts architecture for speed without losing too much depth
Handles long context and multi-file edits in one session
Its architecture strongly supports the new agentic workflow.

External reviewers have highlighted this shift toward agent-native coding models too, not just LLMs that happen to code[15][16]].

Using Cursor 2.0 Well: Practical Tips

These are the things I wish someone had told me before I clicked “Upgrade”.

Embrace Delegation

In 1.x, you fixed a bug. In 2.0, you say, “Fix the sign-up flow bug that appears when the username has special characters”. Give the agent the problem and let it execute the required commands, tests, and file edits autonomously, leveraging the Sandboxed Terminal for safety.

Use Voice Mode for Thought-Dumps

When you hit a wall or need to brainstorm a complex architecture, switch to Voice Mode and narrate your thought process. The Agent listens, provides real-time context, and can often propose a solution without you lifting a finger.

Keep compiler or linter running beside it

Always. AI is smart, but TypeScript, eslint, or your test runner will still catch 10% of issues early. When errors appear, paste them into the chat with “I have errors” — Composer fixes them surprisingly well.

Review Diffs like a PR

Cursor makes reviewing AI changes easy — and you should. These agents are clever but sometimes overconfident.

Think of Composer as a talented intern. Brilliant ideas, but loves taking bold shortcuts. Review with care!

The built-in browser is more useful than expected

Agents can modify code → run it → inspect → fix — without leaving Cursor[7].
Great for frontend and full-stack work. I was sceptical… then impressed.

Real-World Testing: Where It Excels and Struggles

A week of hands-on use gave me a clearer picture.

It Excels At	It Needs Supervision For
Complex, multi-step tasks (autonomy)	Architectural changes (can miss edge cases)
Refactoring into modern patterns	Framework-specific “best practices”
Writing and improving unit tests	Anything security-related (double-check sandbox scope)
Fixing compiler or lint errors	Performance optimisation
Understanding unfamiliar codebases	Niche libraries with poor documentation

If you’ve read other detailed reviews, you’ll notice similar patterns emerge from community testing too[12][14]].

Cost, Privacy & Team Fit

Cursor offers a free tier, but serious use requires a paid plan.
Two things to know:

Composer is only available inside Cursor (no external API yet)
Code is processed in the cloud, so check with your security team if you work in a regulated environment[16]

The Sandboxed Terminal is a huge selling point for team security, as it allows companies to adopt autonomous agents while mitigating local execution risks.

Should You Switch?

Here’s the honest version:

Try Cursor 2.0 if you:

Work with medium-to-large codebases.
Value speed and want to explore agent-based delegation.
Appreciate the added security of a Sandboxed Terminal.

Maybe stay where you are if you:

Are happy with Copilot and prefer minimalism.
Work in highly restricted environments.
Prefer typing code yourself rather than delegating.

For me? I’m keeping Cursor in my toolbox. Not for everything—but for many tasks, the speed + codebase awareness + autonomy combo has made a visible difference.

A Small Look Ahead

AI-assisted coding is evolving fast. Cursor 2.0 isn’t just a feature update — it’s a sign of the shift towards agent-based development. Some days you’ll code directly. On other days, you’ll describe an outcome and guide agents to build it.

The new skill is knowing when to hand over the keyboard and when to use your voice.

And that’s a skill I think we’ll all be practicing in 2026.

Remember: AI isn’t here to replace your creativity — just the repetitive parts, so you have more energy for the fun bits of building.

Did this help? If you’d like me to cover Cursor vs Windsurf vs Copilot next, or share my workflow config, let me know — happy to write a follow-up.

Stay curious and keep coding!

References

[1] Introducing Cursor 2.0 and Composer — Cursor Blog, Oct 29, 2025
[2] Composer: Building a fast frontier model with RL — Cursor Blog, Oct 29, 2025
[3] Meet Cursor 2.0: The AI IDE That Understands Your Entire Codebase — Medium, Nov 2025
[4] Cursor Changelog — Cursor Documentation
[5] What Is Cursor 2.0? Full Overview and New Features Explained — Skywork AI, Oct 31, 2025
[6] Cursor Features — Cursor Website
[7] Cursor 2.0 is Out! Here is What’s New — Shuttle Blog, Oct 31, 2025
[8] Cursor 2.0 vs Windsurf 2025: AI IDE Showdown — Skywork AI, Nov 2025
[9] From Developer to Delegator: Inside Cursor 2.0 — Inkeep Blog, Oct 30, 2025
[10] Cursor AI: An In-Depth Review (May 2025 Update) — Engine Labs
[11] Cursor Changelog: What’s coming next in 2026? — PromptLayer Blog, Oct 2025
[12] Testing Cursor Composer: The AI Coding Model Built for Speed — Shuttle Blog, Nov 5, 2025
[13] 6 Tips for improving your Cursor Composer and Convex Workflow — Convex Stack
[14] Vibe Check: Cursor 2.0 and Composer 1 Alpha — Every, Nov 2025
[15] Composer: A Fast New AI Coding Model by Cursor — Medium, Nov 2025
[16] Cursor 2.0 pivots to multi-agent AI coding, debuts Composer model — AI News, Nov 2025
[17] Cursor 2.0 and Composer Model Review — Codeaholicguy, Nov 1, 2025
[18] Composer: What Cursor’s New Coding Model Means for LLMs — PromptLayer Blog, Nov 2025

A few thoughts on Cursor 2.0