VS Code vs Cursor Keyboard Shortcuts Compared
Cursor is built on VS Code's codebase, which means the vast majority of keyboard shortcuts are identical between the two editors. If you already know VS Code, you already know most of Cursor.
The key differences come down to two things: Cursor remaps a small number of VS Code defaults to make room for AI features, and Cursor adds entirely new shortcuts for its built-in AI capabilities. This guide covers what is shared, what has changed, and what is unique to each editor.
For complete shortcut references, see the full VS Code keyboard shortcuts and Cursor keyboard shortcuts pages.
Shortcuts That Work the Same
The vast majority of VS Code shortcuts work identically in Cursor. Everything from basic editing to debugging to terminal management carries over unchanged. Here are the most commonly used shortcuts that behave the same in both editors.
| Action | VS Code | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| Command Palette | Cmd + Shift + P | Cmd + Shift + P |
| Quick Open | Cmd + P | Cmd + P |
| Find | Cmd + F | Cmd + F |
| Find in Files | Cmd + Shift + F | Cmd + Shift + F |
| Replace | Cmd + H | Cmd + H |
| Go to Definition | F12 | F12 |
| Go to Line | Ctrl + G | Ctrl + G |
| Toggle Terminal | Ctrl + ` | Ctrl + ` |
| Multi-cursor (next match) | Cmd + D | Cmd + D |
| Add cursor above/below | Cmd + Alt + Up/Down | Cmd + Alt + Up/Down |
| Toggle Comment | Cmd + / | Cmd + / |
| Move Line Up/Down | Alt + Up/Down | Alt + Up/Down |
| Copy Line Up/Down | Alt + Shift + Up/Down | Alt + Shift + Up/Down |
| Delete Line | Cmd + Shift + K | Cmd + Shift + K |
| Format Document | Alt + Shift + F | Alt + Shift + F |
| Split Editor | Cmd + \ | Cmd + \ |
| Start Debugging | F5 | F5 |
| Toggle Breakpoint | F9 | F9 |
Note: macOS shortcuts are shown above. On Windows and Linux, replace Cmd with Ctrl and Alt with Alt in most cases.
Shortcuts Cursor Remaps
Cursor reassigns a small number of VS Code default shortcuts to make room for its AI features. In practice, only one shortcut has a significant change that most users will notice.
| Action | VS Code Default | Cursor Default |
|---|---|---|
| Select Line | Cmd + L | Not default (remapped to AI Chat) |
In VS Code, Cmd + L (Ctrl + L on Windows/Linux) selects the current line. In Cursor, this shortcut opens the AI Chat panel instead. Cursor users can still access the Select Line action through the Command Palette or by adding a custom keybinding.
AI Shortcuts Unique to Cursor
These shortcuts do not exist in VS Code at all. They are specific to Cursor's built-in AI features and represent the main reason many developers switch from VS Code to Cursor.
| Action | Mac | Windows / Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Open AI Chat | Cmd + L | Ctrl + L |
| Inline AI Edit | Cmd + K (in editor) | Ctrl + K (in editor) |
| Open Composer | Cmd + I | Ctrl + I |
| Accept AI Suggestion | Tab | Tab |
| Reject AI Suggestion | Escape | Escape |
| AI Command in Terminal | Cmd + K (in terminal) | Ctrl + K (in terminal) |
| Fix with AI (from lint error) | Click lightbulb or via Command Palette | |
Migrating from VS Code to Cursor
Switching from VS Code to Cursor is one of the smoothest editor migrations you can make. Because Cursor is built on the same foundation, your existing setup transfers almost entirely.
Your keybindings.json file transfers directly to Cursor, so any custom shortcuts you have set up in VS Code will work immediately. Extensions also work the same way since Cursor supports the VS Code extension marketplace. Your settings, themes, and snippets all carry over as well.
The only real adjustment is learning the new AI shortcuts listed above. If you find that losing Cmd + L for Select Line is a problem, you can remap it in Cursor's keyboard shortcuts settings. Open the Command Palette with Cmd + Shift + P, search for "Open Keyboard Shortcuts," and add your preferred binding back.
Which Should You Use?
VS Code remains the better choice if you do not need built-in AI assistance or prefer to use AI through extensions like GitHub Copilot. It is the more established editor with the largest extension ecosystem and the broadest community support.
Cursor is worth considering if you want native AI integration with dedicated keyboard shortcuts for chat, inline editing, and code generation. The AI features are deeply integrated into the editing experience rather than bolted on through extensions.
Both editors share the same core foundation, so switching between them is easy. Your muscle memory for the fundamental shortcuts will transfer completely, and any custom configuration you have built up will work in either editor.