Execute upgrade Cursor versions and migrate settings. Triggers on "upgrade cursor",
"update cursor", "cursor migration", "cursor new version", "cursor changelog". Use when working with cursor upgrade migration functionality. Trigger with phrases like "cursor upgrade migration", "cursor migration", "cursor".
Upgrade Cursor IDE versions, migrate from VS Code, and transfer configurations between machines.
Version Upgrades
Auto-Update (Recommended)
Cursor checks for updates automatically. When available:
A notification appears: "A new version is available"
Click "Restart to Update" or go to Help > Check for Updates
Cursor downloads, installs, and restarts
Manual Update
If auto-update fails or is disabled:
# macOS (Homebrew)
brew upgrade --cask cursor
# macOS/Linux/Windows: Download latest from
# https://cursor.com/download
# Linux AppImage: replace the old file
curl -fSL https://download.cursor.com/linux/appImage/x64 -o cursor.AppImage
chmod +x cursor.AppImage
Pre-Upgrade Checklist
[ ] Note current version: Help > About
[ ] Check release notes: changelog.cursor.sh
[ ] Backup settings:
macOS: cp -r ~/Library/Application\ Support/Cursor/User ~/cursor-settings-backup
Linux: cp -r ~/.config/Cursor/User ~/cursor-settings-backup
[ ] Export extension list:
cursor --list-extensions > extensions-backup.txt
[ ] Commit any unsaved work to git
[ ] Note any custom keybindings (keybindings.json)
Post-Upgrade Verification
[ ] Cursor launches without errors
[ ] Sign-in still active (check top-right user icon)
[ ] AI features work: try Cmd+L, type a question
[ ] Tab completion works: type code, see ghost text
[ ] Extensions loaded: Cmd+Shift+X, verify list
[ ] Custom keybindings preserved: test your shortcuts
[ ] Project rules still load: @Cursor Rules in chat
[ ] Indexing status: check status bar
VS Code to Cursor Migration
Automatic Import (First Launch)
On first launch, Cursor detects VS Code and offers one-click import:
What migrates:
✅ settings.json (editor preferences)
✅ keybindings.json (custom shortcuts)
✅ User snippets
✅ Color themes
✅ Compatible extensions (from Open VSX Registry)
What does NOT migrate:
❌ Microsoft-exclusive extensions (Copilot, Live Share, Remote-SSH)
❌ Extension login states / databases
❌ Workspace trust settings
❌ Task configurations (.vscode/tasks.json -- copies but may need adjustment)
