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how to open cursor from cli using the cmd cursor . i mean what setting in cursor to update?

To open Cursor from the CLI using the cursor command, you need to add it to your PATH via the Command Palette. Here's how:
  1. Open Cursor
  2. Press Cmd+Shift+P (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux)
  3. Type "Install 'cursor' command in PATH"
  4. Click it - done. Now cursor . works from any terminal.
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Cursor editor install cursor command in PATH CLI setup 2025

Here's the full breakdown:

Opening Cursor from CLI with cursor .

The Setting to Enable

Go to the Command Palette and run the shell command installer:
OSSteps
Mac/LinuxCmd+Shift+P → type Install 'cursor' command in PATH → press Enter
WindowsCtrl+Shift+P → type Install 'cursor' command in PATH → press Enter
This adds the cursor binary to your system PATH so you can run:
cursor .          # open current folder
cursor file.txt   # open a specific file
cursor /some/path # open any path

If That Doesn't Work (Mac)

On Mac, if the command palette option is missing or the shell command isn't being picked up, you can add it manually:
# Add to your ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc
export PATH="$PATH:/Applications/Cursor.app/Contents/MacOS"
Or create a symlink:
sudo ln -s "/Applications/Cursor.app/Contents/Resources/app/bin/cursor" /usr/local/bin/cursor

On Windows

After running the Command Palette step, restart your terminal. If it still doesn't work, check that the Cursor install directory (usually %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\cursor) is in your system PATH via: System Properties → Environment Variables → Path

Quick Summary

The one setting you need is:
Command Palette (Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+P) → "Install 'cursor' command in PATH"
No config files to edit manually - Cursor handles it automatically once you run that command.

in cursor i am on free plan but i have $300 credits so can i use them on free plan or do i need to upgrade?

Good question. Based on my knowledge, Cursor's $300 credits are typically associated with their API key / bring-your-own-key setup or promotional credits tied to a specific plan - but let me get the current accurate info since Cursor's pricing changes frequently.
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Cursor editor $300 credits free plan usage 2025 2026

The search results don't specifically mention a "$300 credits" situation in Cursor. That's an important detail - let me clarify what those credits likely are and how they work.

Cursor $300 Credits - What Are They?

The $300 credits you're seeing are almost certainly not from Cursor itself. They are most likely:

Most Common Source: Cloud Provider Credits

  • AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure startup/developer credits
  • These are for cloud API usage, not for Cursor's own subscription features
  • They would be used if you're bringing your own API key (e.g., your own OpenAI/Anthropic API key funded by those cloud credits)

How to Use Them in Cursor (Free Plan)

If they're API credits (e.g., Anthropic/OpenAI credits), you can use them on any plan including free by:
  1. Go to Cursor Settings → Models
  2. Enable "Use your own API key" (or similar toggle)
  3. Paste your API key from OpenAI/Anthropic
  4. Cursor will route requests through your key, drawing from those credits directly
You don't need to upgrade to use your own API key - it works on the free plan too.

If They're Cursor-Specific Credits

Cursor's current credit system (as of 2026):
  • Free (Hobby): Limited requests per month, no credit pool
  • Pro ($20/mo): Comes with a $20/month credit pool for premium models
  • Credits are plan-tied - the free plan does not have a credit pool
So if the $300 appeared inside Cursor's billing dashboard, you'd likely need at least Pro to use them, as the free plan doesn't have credit-based billing enabled.
Bottom line: Where exactly did you see the $300 credits? (Cursor's dashboard, an email, or another platform like AWS/GCP?) That'll determine whether you need to upgrade or not.
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no these are cursor credits not cloud credits

I can see your billing page clearly. Here's what's happening:
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Cursor credit grants free plan on-demand usage how to use billing credits 2026

Now I can see exactly what's going on from your screenshot. Here's the clear answer:

Your $300 Are "Credit Grants" - Applied to On-Demand Usage

From your billing page, these are Credit Grants - Cursor's own promotional/granted credits. The page says:
"Applied automatically to Cursor usage" "Your account has a credit balance that will be automatically applied to your next invoice."

The catch: You're on the Free plan

The On-Demand Usage section (the one that shows $0.00) is what those credits apply against. But on-demand usage in Cursor is tied to paid plan usage - specifically when you go over your plan's included requests, or when you use premium models that cost extra.
On the Free plan, on-demand usage doesn't really kick in because:
  • Free plan has hard caps on requests (not usage-based billing)
  • Credit grants offset invoices - but on a free plan, there are no invoices generated

What you should do

Upgrade to Pro ($20/month). Here's why it actually costs you nothing:
Detail
Pro cost$20/month
Your credits$300
Months covered15 months free
Net cost to you$0 for over a year
The credits will automatically offset each monthly invoice. You get full Pro features (unlimited Tab, Auto mode, premium models) and your $300 absorbs all charges until it runs out.
Go to cursor.com/dashboard/billing → Upgrade to Pro - your credits will kick in immediately on the first invoice.

but it is asking me to pay for the first time

That's actually normal and expected - here's why:

Why It's Asking for Payment Info

Cursor (via Stripe) requires a payment method on file to upgrade, even if you have credits that fully cover the cost. This is standard practice for subscription billing - they need a card as a backup for:
  • When your credits eventually run out (after ~15 months)
  • To validate you're a real person
You won't be charged $20 upfront. The credits are applied automatically when the first invoice is generated.

What Actually Happens

  1. You enter your card details
  2. Cursor generates your first $20 invoice
  3. Your $300 credit balance automatically offsets it → you pay $0
  4. Same happens every month until credits are exhausted
Your billing page already says:
"Your account has a credit balance that will be automatically applied to your next invoice."
That's exactly what it means.

If You're Uncomfortable Adding a Card

You can:
  • Use a virtual card (Revolut, Privacy.com, etc.) with $0 balance as a formality
  • Contact Cursor support and ask them to apply the credits without requiring a card - some users have had success with this since the credits are already granted
But in most cases, just adding a card and upgrading is safe - the $300 will cover everything and you won't be billed until it runs out.
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