How do I import my VS Code settings into Cursor?
Automatic Import on First Launch
When you first install and open Cursor, it detects if VS Code is installed on your system. It then offers to import your settings, extensions, and keybindings with a single click.
This includes your user settings (settings.json), keyboard shortcuts, and installed extensions. The import process is designed to be seamless and takes only a moment.
If you skip this step, you can trigger it later from the command palette (Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+P) by searching for 'Import VS Code Settings'.
Manual Import
If automatic import doesn't work, you can manually copy your VS Code settings. On Windows, settings are in %APPDATA%\Code\User; on Mac, they're in ~/Library/Application Support/Code/User.
Copy the settings.json, keybindings.json, and snippets folder to Cursor's equivalent directory. Cursor uses a similar folder structure under %APPDATA%\Cursor\User or ~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User.
For extensions, you can install them directly from the Cursor marketplace, which mirrors the VS Code marketplace. Some extensions may not be fully compatible, but most work fine.
- Settings: settings.json
- Keybindings: keybindings.json
- Snippets: snippets folder
- Extensions: reinstall from marketplace or use import tool
Common mistakes
- Expecting all extensions to work perfectly—some may have compatibility issues.
- Forgetting to import keybindings, which can disrupt your workflow.
- Manually copying files without backing them up first.
