Cursor AI Shortcuts: Speed Run Your Development

Cursor is powerful, but most developers only use 20% of its features. Learning the keyboard shortcuts and hidden features can 10x your productivity.

In this guide, we'll cover every essential Cursor shortcut and power-user technique.

Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

AI Features

| Shortcut | Action | Use Case |
|———-|——–|———-|
| `Cmd+K` | Inline Edit | Quick fixes, refactoring a function |
| `Cmd+I` | Composer | Multi-file edits, building features |
| `Cmd+L` | Chat | Ask questions, get explanations |
| `Cmd+Shift+L` | New Chat | Start fresh conversation |

Navigation

| Shortcut | Action | Use Case |
|———-|——–|———-|
| `Cmd+P` | Quick Open | Jump to any file |
| `Cmd+Shift+O` | Go to Symbol | Jump to function/class |
| `Cmd+T` | Go to Symbol in Workspace | Search across all files |
| `Ctrl+G` | Go to Line | Jump to specific line number |
| `Cmd+Click` | Go to Definition | Navigate to function definition |

Editing

| Shortcut | Action | Use Case |
|———-|——–|———-|
| `Cmd+D` | Select Next Occurrence | Multi-cursor editing |
| `Cmd+Shift+L` | Select All Occurrences | Change all instances |
| `Alt+Up/Down` | Move Line Up/Down | Reorder code |
| `Cmd+/` | Toggle Comment | Comment/uncomment |
| `Cmd+Shift+K` | Delete Line | Remove entire line |

Terminal

| Shortcut | Action | Use Case |
|———-|——–|———-|
| “ Ctrl+` “ | Toggle Terminal | Show/hide terminal |
| `Cmd+Shift+C` | Open External Terminal | Open in system terminal |

Power User Techniques

Technique 1: Multi-Cursor Magic

Select multiple instances of a word with `Cmd+D`, then edit them all at once.

Example:
1. Place cursor on `userName`
2. Press `Cmd+D` three times to select three instances
3. Type `userId` to replace all three

Technique 2: The `@` Context System

In Chat or Composer, use `@` to reference context:

* `@filename.js` – Reference a specific file
* `@Codebase` – Search entire project
* `@Docs` – Reference documentation (e.g., `@React`, `@NextJS`)
* `@Web` – Search the internet
* `@Git` – Reference git history

Example Prompt:
> “@Codebase where is the authentication logic? Update it to use @Stripe for payment verification.”

Technique 3: The “Accept Partial” Feature

When Cursor generates code, you don't have to accept all of it. Use:
* `Tab` – Accept next word
* `Cmd+→` – Accept next line
* `Cmd+Enter` – Accept all

This lets you review code incrementally.

Technique 4: The “Diff View”

When Composer makes changes, it shows a diff. Use:
* `F7` – Jump to next change
* `Shift+F7` – Jump to previous change
* `Cmd+Z` – Undo individual changes

Technique 5: Custom Keybindings

Customize shortcuts in `Settings > Keyboard Shortcuts`.

Recommended Custom Bindings:
* `Cmd+Shift+A` – “Ask AI about this code” (custom command)
* `Cmd+Shift+R` – “Refactor this” (custom command)

Hidden Features

Feature 1: The “Rules” System

Create a `.cursorrules` file in your project root. Cursor reads it automatically and follows those rules in every AI interaction.

Example:
“`markdown
– Always use TypeScript
– Prefer functional components
– Use Tailwind for styling
“`

Feature 2: The “Copilot++” Mode

Cursor has a smarter autocomplete than GitHub Copilot. It predicts not just the next line, but the next edit.

Enable it: Settings > Features > Copilot++ (enabled by default)

Feature 3: The “Privacy Mode”

If you're working on sensitive code, enable Privacy Mode:

Settings > Privacy > “Do not send code to AI”

This disables AI features but keeps the editor functional.

Feature 4: The “Cmd+K” Inline Prompts

You can use natural language in inline edits:

1. Highlight code
2. Press `Cmd+K`
3. Type: “add error handling”
4. Press Enter

Cursor updates the code inline.

Feature 5: The “Notebook Mode”

Cursor can act like a Jupyter Notebook for JavaScript/TypeScript:

1. Create a file ending in `.notebook.js`
2. Write code
3. Press `Cmd+Enter` to run the current block

Output appears inline.

Workflow Optimization

The “Feature Build” Workflow

1. Plan: Open Composer (`Cmd+I`), describe the feature
2. Review: Check the diff, accept changes
3. Test: Run the app, test the feature
4. Refine: Use `Cmd+K` for small tweaks
5. Commit: `git commit -m “Add feature X”`

Time: 5-10 minutes per feature.

The “Bug Fix” Workflow

1. Reproduce: Trigger the bug
2. Locate: Use `Cmd+Shift+F` to search for relevant code
3. Ask AI: Open Chat (`Cmd+L`), paste the error, ask for help
4. Fix: Use `Cmd+K` to apply the fix
5. Verify: Test that the bug is gone

Time: 2-5 minutes per bug.

The “Refactor” Workflow

1. Select: Highlight the code to refactor
2. Composer: Press `Cmd+I`
3. Prompt: “Refactor this to use modern patterns”
4. Review: Check the diff carefully
5. Test: Run tests to ensure nothing broke

Time: 5-15 minutes per refactor.

Pro Tips

Tip 1: Use “Explain This”

Highlight code and ask in Chat: “Explain this code.” Great for understanding legacy code.

Tip 2: Use “Generate Tests”

Highlight a function and prompt: “Generate unit tests for this function using Vitest.”

Tip 3: Use “Optimize This”

Highlight slow code and prompt: “Optimize this for performance.”

Tip 4: Use “Convert This”

Highlight code and prompt: “Convert this to TypeScript” or “Convert this to use async/await.”

Tip 5: Use “Document This”

Highlight a function and prompt: “Add JSDoc comments.”

Conclusion

Mastering Cursor's shortcuts and features transforms it from a good tool into an indispensable one. The difference between a novice and a power user is knowing these techniques.

At BYS Marketing, we train all our developers on Cursor shortcuts. It's part of our onboarding process. The result? Our team ships features 3x faster than industry average.

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Want to level up your development team?
Contact BYS Marketing. We offer Cursor training and AI-powered development consulting.