Overview
Cursor 3, released on April 2, 2026, is a major redesign of the Cursor AI code editor that shifts the IDE from a file-centric model to an agent-centric workspace. The new Cursor 3 interface was built from scratch, while Cursor still retains its broader VS Code-based IDE foundation. The new Agents Window enables developers to run many agents in parallel across local, cloud, worktree, and remote SSH environments — all managed from a unified sidebar.
The update introduces Design Mode for annotating UI elements directly in the browser, local-to-cloud session handoff for uninterrupted workflows. Cursor 3 also works alongside existing Cursor Automations for schedule-based or event-triggered workflows. These features work alongside the existing Composer 2 model, background agents, and BugBot PR reviews, positioning Cursor 3 as a complete agent-driven development platform rather than a traditional code editor with AI features bolted on.
What's New in Cursor 3
Agents Window
The headline feature is a new unified workspace for managing all your coding agents. Accessible via Cmd+Shift+P → Agents Window, it displays every local and cloud agent in the sidebar — including those launched from mobile, web, desktop, Slack, GitHub, and Linear. Cloud agents generate visual demos and screenshots of their work for verification before merging.
Design Mode
Design Mode lets you annotate and target UI elements directly in an integrated browser. Toggle with ⌘+Shift+D, use Shift+drag to select elements, ⌘+L to add them to chat, and ⌥+click for input addition. This gives agents precise visual context instead of relying on text descriptions, making frontend iteration significantly faster.
Local-to-Cloud Handoff
Sessions now move seamlessly between environments. Start a task locally with Composer 2 for fast iteration, then hand it off to a cloud agent for long-running work that continues even when you're offline. Conversely, pull cloud work to your local machine for testing and debugging.
Agent Tabs
View multiple agent chats simultaneously — side-by-side or in a grid layout. Combined with native worktree support (now managed from the Agents Window), this enables true parallel development across multiple features or repositories.
New Diffs View
Cursor 3 adds a simpler diffs experience so you can review and edit changes faster, then stage, commit, and manage PRs from the new interface.
Additional Improvements
/worktreecommand — Create isolated git worktrees with multi-repo capability directly from chat/best-of-ncommand — Run tasks across multiple models in parallel and compare results- MCP Apps structured content — Richer plugin outputs with structured data
- Enterprise controls — Directory group names in audit logs, admin-restricted secrets, and configurable code attribution
- Performance optimizations — Large-file diff rendering, faster explorer subagent startup via caching, and improved browser automation
Pricing & Plans
Cursor 3 is available to all existing Cursor users. Current official pricing at the time of review:
- Hobby: Free (limited agent requests and Tab completions)
- Pro: $20/month — unlimited Tab completions, included usage, cloud agents, and access to frontier models
- Pro+: $60/month — 3x Pro credit pool
- Ultra: $200/month — 20x Pro usage, priority access to new features
- Teams: $40/user/month — centralized billing, SSO, admin controls
- Enterprise: Custom pricing — pooled usage, invoice billing, dedicated support
The Agents Window and Design Mode are part of Cursor 3, but plan-level availability and included usage should be checked against Cursor's current pricing page because cloud-agent entitlements vary by plan.
Best For
- Developers managing multiple features or repos simultaneously who need parallel agent execution
- Frontend developers who want faster UI iteration through visual annotation instead of text prompts
- Teams already using Cursor Pro/Ultra who want to leverage cloud agents and automations
- Developers working across local and remote environments who need seamless session continuity
- Engineering teams using Slack, GitHub, or Linear who want event-driven automated coding agents
FAQ
How do I access Cursor 3's new interface?
After upgrading to the latest version, press Cmd+Shift+P and select "Agents Window." You can toggle between the new agent-centric interface and the traditional IDE editor at any time.
Does Cursor 3 cost extra?
No. Cursor 3 is a free update for all existing users. The Agents Window and Design Mode are available on all plans including the free Hobby tier. Cloud agent usage continues to draw from your existing monthly credit pool.
What happened to worktrees in the Editor?
Native worktree support has been migrated from the Editor to the new Agents Window with improved visibility and UX. The /worktree command in the Agents Window now handles worktree creation with multi-repo capability. Previous Editor-based worktree selections are deprecated.
Can I still use the traditional editor view?
Yes. The Agents Window is an additional interface, not a replacement. You can switch between the agent-centric view and the traditional file-focused editor as needed. All existing IDE features — LSP support, go-to-definition, extensions — remain fully functional.
How does Design Mode work?
Toggle Design Mode with ⌘+Shift+D in the Agents Window. This opens an integrated browser where you can Shift+drag to select UI elements, ⌘+L to add them to agent chat context, and ⌥+click to add input points. The agent receives precise visual context about which elements to modify.
What are Automations?
Automations are an existing Cursor feature (not new in Cursor 3) that lets you run always-on agents based on triggers from Slack, Linear, GitHub, PagerDuty, or webhooks. Cursor 3's Agents Window provides improved visibility into running automations alongside your local and cloud agents.
How does Claude Code compare to Cursor 3?
Claude Code operates entirely in the terminal as an autonomous coding agent, while Cursor 3 provides a full visual IDE with Design Mode, Agent Tabs, and integrated browser. Cursor 3 emphasizes a visual IDE workflow with an Agents Window, integrated browser, and Design Mode, while Claude Code is a terminal-first coding agent. Claude Code excels at deep terminal-based reasoning and autonomous multi-step tasks. Many developers use both tools for different aspects of their workflow.
