Execute troubleshoot common Cursor IDE errors and issues. Triggers on "cursor error", "cursor not working", "cursor issue", "cursor problem", "fix cursor". Use when working with cursor common errors functionality. Trigger with phrases like "cursor common errors", "cursor errors", "cursor".
npxskills add jeremylongshore/claude-code-plugins-plus-skills--skill cursor-common-errorsLoading…
Diagnostic and resolution guide for the most frequent Cursor IDE issues. Organized by error category with specific symptoms, causes, and fixes.
Symptoms: Browser opens for auth, redirects back, Cursor still shows "Sign In".
Fix:
cursor.com and auth.cursor.comSymptoms: Signed in but AI features are disabled.
Fix:
Cmd+Shift+P > Sign Out) then sign back inSymptoms: Features stop working mid-session.
Fix: Cmd+Shift+P > Cursor: Sign Out > Sign back in. This refreshes the auth token.
Symptoms: No ghost text while typing.
Causes and fixes:
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Tab completion disabled | Cursor Settings > Tab > enable |
| Conflicting extension (Copilot/TabNine) | Disable other completion extensions |
| File type not supported | Check file is a recognized language |
| Rate limited (Free plan) | Wait or upgrade to Pro |
| Large file (>10K lines) | Split file or use Cmd+K for specific sections |
Symptoms: Chat or Composer returns an error instead of a response.
Fix:
Symptoms: AI generates irrelevant, outdated, or incorrect code.
Fix:
@Files to reference relevant code.cursor/rules/*.mdc with your patternsSymptoms: Status bar shows "Indexing..." indefinitely.
Fix:
Check .cursorignore -- exclude node_modules/, dist/, large data files
Cmd+Shift+P > Cursor: Resync Index
Close and reopen the workspace
Delete index cache:
macOS: rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Cursor/Cache/
Linux: rm -rf ~/.config/Cursor/Cache/
Restart Cursor
Symptoms: Codebase search finds nothing, even for known code.
Fix:
.cursorignore or .gitignoreSymptoms: Editor lags, typing delays, UI freezes.
Diagnosis and fixes:
Step 1: Open Process Explorer
Cmd+Shift+P > "Developer: Open Process Explorer"
Identify which process uses most CPU/memory
Step 2: Extension audit
Disable extensions one-by-one to find the culprit
Common offenders: GitLens (large repos), Prettier (on save), ESLint
Step 3: Reduce indexed scope
Add large directories to .cursorignore
Step 4: Clear chat history
Long chat sessions consume memory. Start new chats frequently.
Step 5: Increase memory limit
settings.json: "files.maxMemoryForLargeFilesMB": 4096
Symptoms: CPU spikes for minutes after opening a project.
Cause: Initial indexing + extension loading.
Fix: Wait for indexing to complete. Add aggressive .cursorignore patterns. Close unused workspace folders.
Symptoms: Extension from VS Code Marketplace not available.
Cause: Cursor uses Open VSX Registry, not Microsoft's marketplace.
Fix:
.vsix from VS Code Marketplace websiteCmd+Shift+P > Extensions: Install from VSIX...Common conflicts:
| Extension | Conflict | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub Copilot | Duplicate Tab suggestions | Disable Copilot in Cursor |
| TabNine | Duplicate completions | Disable TabNine |
| IntelliCode | Suggestion conflicts | Disable IntelliCode |
| Vim | Ctrl+K/L/I conflicts | Remap AI shortcuts (see cursor-keybindings skill) |
Symptoms: AI features fail but editor works fine.
Fix:
Check internet connectivity
Check if corporate firewall/proxy blocks *.cursor.com
Required domains to allowlist:
api.cursor.com
api2.cursor.com
auth.cursor.com
*.turbopuffer.com (for indexing)
If using VPN, try disconnecting temporarily
# Start with extensions disabled
cursor --disable-extensions
# Start with GPU disabled (Linux/Windows)
cursor --disable-gpu
# Reset to defaults (nuclear option -- backs up settings first)
# macOS:
cp -r ~/Library/Application\ Support/Cursor ~/cursor-backup
rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Cursor/Cache
rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Cursor/CachedData
Cursor auto-saves by default. Check:
File > Open Recent for recent filesgit reflogCentralized troubleshooting: Document common errors and fixes in team wiki
Proxy configuration: Enterprise proxy settings via settings.json:
{ "http.proxy": "http://proxy.corp.com:8080" }
Support escalation: Business/Enterprise plans include priority support via Cursor dashboard
Telemetry for diagnostics: Anonymous telemetry helps Cursor diagnose widespread issues (can be disabled)
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Set up and use 1Password CLI (op). Use when installing the CLI, enabling desktop app integration, signing in (single or multi-account), or reading/injecting/running secrets via op.
CLI to manage emails via IMAP/SMTP. Use `himalaya` to list, read, write, reply, forward, search, and organize emails from the terminal. Supports multiple accounts and message composition with MML (MIME Meta Language).
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Set up and use 1Password CLI (op). Use when installing the CLI, enabling desktop app integration, signing in (single or multi-account), or reading/injecting/running secrets via op.
CLI to manage emails via IMAP/SMTP. Use `himalaya` to list, read, write, reply, forward, search, and organize emails from the terminal. Supports multiple accounts and message composition with MML (MIME Meta Language).