The rise of Cursor: The $300M ARR AI tool that engineers can’t stop using | Michael Truell

The rise of Cursor: The The rise of Cursor: The Final Summary: This podcast episode features Michael Tru, co-founder and CEO of AnySphere, the company behind Cursor, an AI-powered code editor. The conversation explores Cursor's rapid growth, its unique approach to AI integration in software development, the evolving role of software engineers in a "post-code" world, and the future of the industry. Key themes include the increasing importance of "taste" in software design, the strategic use of custom AI models alongside large language models, and the long-term defensibility of AI-driven software development tools. The episode also delves into Cursor's hiring practices and the company's vision for the future of software engineering, emphasizing the continued need for human expertise and control. Chapter 1: Cursor – The AI-Powered Code Editor and its Meteoric Rise - This chapter introduces Cursor, highlighting its rapid growth from zero to ">(300M ARR AI tool that engineers can’t stop using | Michael Truell Cursor: Reimagining Software Development in a Post-Code World - Final Summary: This podcast episode features Michael Tru, co-founder and CEO of AnySphere, the company behind Cursor, an AI-powered code editor. The conversation explores Cursor's rapid growth, its unique approach to AI integration in software development, the evolving role of software engineers in a "post-code" world, and the future of the industry. Key themes include the increasing importance of "taste" in software design, the strategic use of custom AI models alongside large language models, and the long-term defensibility of AI-driven software development tools. The episode also delves into Cursor's hiring practices and the company's vision for the future of software engineering, emphasizing the continued need for human expertise and control. Chapter 1: Cursor – The AI-Powered Code Editor and its Meteoric Rise - This chapter introduces Cursor, highlighting its rapid growth from zero to )100 million ARR in just 18 months. It introduces Michael Tru, the CEO, and his background in AI and computer science. The chapter also briefly touches upon EPO, an A/B testing and feature management platform, and Vanta, a security platform, both of which are sponsors. Key Terms: Cursor , AnySphere , AI code editor , ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue) , EPO , Vanta . Chapter 2: The World After Code: A New Paradigm in Software Development - This chapter lays out the vision behind Cursor: to move beyond traditional coding by creating a higher-level, more intuitive way to build software. It discusses the shift from writing code in languages like JavaScript and Python to a more pseudo-code or natural language approach. The concept of "taste" in software design is introduced as a crucial element alongside logic. Key Terms: Post-code world , Pseudo-code , Logic designer , Taste in software design, UI/UX . Chapter 3: The Origin Story of Cursor and the Evolution of AI - This section details the genesis of Cursor, focusing on two defining moments: the first useful AI product (GitHub Copilot) and the realization that AI's potential lies in leveraging existing models and scaling them effectively. It explores the path to Cursor's development, emphasizing the focus on human control and the limitations of fully AI-driven development. Key Terms: GitHub Copilot , AI model scaling , Human-in-the-loop , IDE (Integrated Development Environment) . Chapter 4: Cursor's Architecture: Custom Models and Large Language Models - This chapter dives into the technical aspects of Cursor, explaining its use of both custom AI models and large language models (LLMs). It highlights the strategic use of custom models to address specific weaknesses of LLMs, improving speed, cost-effectiveness, and the overall user experience. The discussion also touches upon the topic of defensibility in the AI market. Key Terms: Custom AI models , Large Language Models (LLMs) , Autocomplete , Model defensibility , Moat . Chapter 5: The Future of Software Development and the Role of Engineers - This chapter explores the future of software engineering in light of AI-powered tools like Cursor. It discusses the changing roles of engineers and the importance of adapting to new workflows. The conversation includes advice for users on effectively utilizing Cursor, emphasizing the importance of breaking down tasks and managing expectations. The chapter also covers Cursor's hiring practices and future growth plans. Key Terms: Software engineering evolution , AI adoption , Task decomposition , Hiring strategies . of that is code right now. you can kind of gesture at it with figma and you can gesture at it with writing down notes., um, but it's, you know, when you have an actual working prototype. And so I think that more and more being being an engineer will start to feel like being a logic designer.. And really, it will be about specifying your intent for how exactly you want everything to work. and it will less be about it. be more more about the, the, what and a little bit less about the, how, um, exactly you're going to do things under the hood., uh, and so yeah,, I think I think taste will be increasingly important. I think one aspect of software engineering and we're very far from this right now and there are lots of, you know, uh, funny, funny memes, going around the internet about, you know, the kind of some of the trials and tribulations people can run into if they trust AI for too many things When it comes to engineering um, around, you know, uh, building building apps that uh, you know, have have glaring glaring deficiencies and and problems and functionality issues but um, I think we will get to a place where, um, you will be able to, uh, be less careful as a software engineer which right now is an incredibly incredibly important, uh, skill., um,, and yeah,, we'll move a little bit from carefulness and a little bit more towards taste. And this, uh, makes me think of vibe coding. is that kind of what you're describing when you talk about not having to think about the details as much and just kind of going with the flow? I think it's I think it's related. I think that v-coding right now describes um, exactly kind of this this state of creation that uh, is pretty controversial where you're generating a lot of code and you aren't really understanding the details. that is that is like a a state of creation that then has has lots of problems like you don't really by by not understanding the details under the hood right now. you then very quickly get to a place where you're kind of limited at a certain point where you create something that's big enough that that you can't change. And so i think some of the Some of the you know ideas that we're interested around, you know, how do you give people uh continued control over all the details Um, you know when they don't really understand the code Like I think that um, solutions there um, are very relevant to to the people who are buy coding right now. I you know, I think that uh, right now we we kind of we lack the ability to, you know, let the themakers actually have complete control over the software And so, um, one of the one of the issues also with you with vibe coding and and letting letting taste really shine through from people is you can create stuff, but a lot of it is the AI making decisions that you are unwieldy and you don't have control over. one more question along these lines. you you throw out this word taste. when you say taste, what are you thinking?? I'm thinking having the right idea for for what should be built. And then just it it will become more and more about kind of the effortless translation of here's exactly what you want built. here's how you want everything to work. here's how you want it to look. and then you'll be able to make that um on a computer and it will less be about this kind of translation layer of like you and your team have a picture of what you'd want to build and then you have to really painstakingly labor intensive like lay out that into a format that a computer can then execute and interpret. and so yeah, i think you know less is less on the ui side of things. maybe taste is a little bit of a misnomer uh but just about having the right idea for for what should be built. awesome. okay, i'm going to come back to these topics, but i want to actually zoom us back out to the beginnings of cursor. uh, i've never heard the origin story. i don't think many people know how this whole thing started. basically, you guys are building one of the fastest growing products in the history of the world. it's changing the way people build products. it's changing careers, professions. it's it's changing so much. how did it all begin? any memorable moments along the journey of the early days? carer kind of started as a solution search of a problem. um and uh a little a little bit where it very much came from reflecting on um how ai was going to get better um over the course of the next 10 years. and um there were there were kind of two defining moments. one was uh being really excited by using the the the first beta version of the git co--ilot. actually this was the first time we had used an ai product that was really really really useful and um was you know actually just useful at all. uh, and wasn't just a vaporware kind of demo thing. And in addition to being an, you know, the first AI product that we used, that was useful, G-copilo was also one of the most useful, if not the most useful dev tool we' ever adopted. Um, and that got us really excited. You know, another moment that got us really excited was the series of scaling on papers coming out of OpenAI and other places that showed that even if we had no new ideas,, AI was going to get better and better just by pulling on simple levers, like scaling up the models and also scaling up the, the data that was going into the models.. and so at the end of 2021, beginning of 2022, this got us excited about how, you know, The rise of Cursor: The $300M ARR AI tool that engineers can’t stop using | Michael Truell The rise of Cursor: The This blog post summarizes a podcast interview with Michael Tru, co-founder and CEO of AnySphere, the company behind Cursor, an AI-powered code editor. The conversation explores Cursor's rapid growth, the future of software development, and the role of AI in shaping the industry. Cursor's Vision: A World Beyond Code - Goal: To invent a new way of programming, moving beyond traditional coding. Approach: Cursor aims to build software by specifying * intent* rather than writing code. This involves a shift towards a higher-level, more human-readable representation of software logic. Growth: Cursor achieved ">(300M ARR AI tool that engineers can’t stop using | Michael Truell Cursor: Reimagining Software Development in a Post-Code World - This blog post summarizes a podcast interview with Michael Tru, co-founder and CEO of AnySphere, the company behind Cursor, an AI-powered code editor. The conversation explores Cursor's rapid growth, the future of software development, and the role of AI in shaping the industry. Cursor's Vision: A World Beyond Code - Goal: To invent a new way of programming, moving beyond traditional coding. Approach: Cursor aims to build software by specifying * intent* rather than writing code. This involves a shift towards a higher-level, more human-readable representation of software logic. Growth: Cursor achieved )100 million ARR in just 18 months, showcasing its rapid adoption. This exponential growth was attributed to consistent improvement and addressing user needs. EPO: Revolutionizing Experimentation - EPO (Experimentation Platform): A platform enabling rapid A/B testing and feature management. It's used by companies like Airbnb, Snowflake, and Twitch to accelerate growth and improve product performance. Key Features: Advanced statistical methods, accessible UI, deep analysis capabilities, and streamlined reporting. EPO significantly reduces the time required for experimentation. Benefits: Increased experimentation velocity, improved data analysis, and faster iteration cycles. The Future of Software Engineering: A Designer's World - Shift from Code to Logic: The future of software development involves moving away from writing code towards specifying the logic of the software in a more human-readable format, closer to natural language. The Role of "Taste": Taste becomes increasingly crucial, encompassing not only visual design (UI/UX) but also the overall design and logic of the software. It's about effortlessly translating the desired functionality into a working product. Engineers as Logic Designers: Software engineers will transition from writing code to specifying intent , acting more as designers who define the software's functionality. Cursor's Origin Story and the Role of AI - Early Days: Cursor's development began with a desire to create a more useful AI product than existing vaporware. The team was inspired by the success of GitHub Copilot. AI's Role: Cursor leverages AI to assist in various aspects of software development, including code completion, suggestion, and debugging. The Human in the Loop: While AI plays a significant role, Cursor emphasizes the importance of maintaining human control over the development process. The goal is to empower engineers, not replace them. Cursor's Architecture and Model Development - Custom Models: Cursor uses a combination of large language models (LLMs) and smaller, specialized models. The smaller models are trained for specific tasks, such as code completion, improving speed and cost-effectiveness . Model Selection: The team strategically chooses which tasks are best suited for foundation models versus custom models, focusing on areas where custom models can offer significant advantages. Defensibility: The use of custom models provides a key competitive advantage, creating a moat against competitors. The market is characterized by a high ceiling and potential for significant disruption. User Success with Cursor and Future Directions - Key Tips for Success: Users should focus on breaking down large tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks. This allows for better control and iterative refinement using AI assistance. Benefits for All Skill Levels: Cursor benefits both junior and senior engineers, although the ways they leverage the tool differ. The Future of Engineering Roles: The demand for software engineers will continue, but the nature of their work will evolve. AI will automate many tasks, allowing engineers to focus on higher-level design and problem-solving. Key Takeaways Cursor represents a significant step towards a new paradigm of software development, where specifying intent is more important than writing code. AI plays a crucial role in this transformation, but human expertise remains essential . The market for AI-powered code editors is large and dynamic, with potential for significant disruption. Cursor's success is based on a combination of innovative technology, rapid iteration, and a focus on user needs. This summary provides a structured overview of the podcast. The original transcript contains more detailed information and nuanced discussions. The rise of Cursor: The $300M ARR AI tool that engineers can’t stop using | Michael Truell Key Terms and Definitions from "After Code" Podcast with Michael Tru Note: Timestamps are provided for subheadings only, enclosed in double square brackets. I. Cursor and its Vision - Cursor: An AI-powered code editor aiming to revolutionize software development by moving away from traditional coding towards a higher-level, intent-based approach. It's designed to be more human-readable and editable, allowing engineers to specify what they want the software to do rather than writing the code itself. "World After Code": A vision of software development where the primary interaction is not with lines of code but with a higher-level representation of the software's logic and intent. This involves using AI to translate high-level descriptions into executable code. AI-assisted Code Generation: The process of using artificial intelligence to automatically generate code based on user input (e.g., natural language descriptions or high-level specifications). Cursor leverages this to significantly reduce the amount of manual coding required. II. EPO (Experimentation Platform) - EPO: A next-generation AB testing and feature management platform that helps companies like Airbnb, Snowflake, and DraftKings accelerate their experimentation velocity and improve the performance of new features. It uses advanced statistical methods to analyze data and provide insights. Experimentation Velocity: The speed at which a company can design, run, and analyze experiments to test new features and improvements. EPO aims to significantly increase this velocity. III. The Future of Software Engineering - Logic Designer: A new role in software development where engineers focus on specifying the intent and logic of the software, rather than writing the code directly. Cursor facilitates this shift by allowing for high-level descriptions of software functionality. Taste: In the context of software development, "taste" refers to the ability to make informed decisions about the design, user experience, and overall feel of a software product. It's increasingly important in the "world after code" where the focus shifts from code itself to the overall user experience. IV. Cursor's Origin Story and Development - Git Copilot: An early AI product that served as a precursor to Cursor, demonstrating the potential of AI for assisting software developers. This experience was a defining moment for Michael Tru in understanding the potential of AI in software development. Building in Public: A development strategy where the creation of a product is done openly and transparently, with early access provided to users to gather feedback and iterate quickly. Cursor adopted this strategy, which proved instrumental in its rapid growth. ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue): A metric used to measure the recurring revenue generated by a subscription-based product. Cursor achieved remarkable ARR growth in a short period. V. Cursor's Model Development and Architecture - Custom Models: Specialized AI models trained for specific tasks within Cursor, rather than relying solely on large, general-purpose foundation models. This approach allows for optimized performance and cost-effectiveness. Foundation Models: Large, pre-trained AI models like GPT-4 that can be adapted for various tasks. Cursor uses these models in conjunction with its custom models. Moat: In business, a moat refers to a sustainable competitive advantage that protects a company from competitors. For Cursor, custom models and a focus on user experience are key elements of their moat. VI. User Experience and Best Practices with Cursor - Chopping Things Up: A strategy for using AI-powered tools like Cursor, where large tasks are broken down into smaller, more manageable sub-tasks. This approach helps to manage the complexity of AI-assisted development. Taste for Models: Developing an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of AI models to effectively use them in software development. This involves learning how to effectively specify tasks and interpret the results. VII. Hiring and Company Culture at Cursor - Two-Day Work Test: A unique hiring process used by Cursor where candidates are given a real-world project to work on for two days. This allows the company to assess the candidate's skills and cultural fit. Glossary-Style Summary Term Definition Cursor AI-powered code editor aiming to revolutionize software development. World After Code A vision of software development where interaction shifts from code to higher-level intent specifications. AI-assisted Code Generation Using AI to automatically generate code based on user input. EPO Next-generation AB testing and feature management platform for accelerating experimentation velocity. Experimentation Velocity The speed at which companies can design, run, and analyze experiments. Logic Designer A new role focusing on specifying software logic and intent, rather than writing code directly. Taste The ability to make informed decisions about the design and user experience of a software product. Git Copilot An early AI product that demonstrated the potential of AI in software development. Building in Public A development strategy involving open, transparent development and early user feedback. ARR Annual Recurring Revenue, a metric for subscription-based products. Custom Models Specialized AI models trained for specific tasks within Cursor. Foundation Models Large, pre-trained AI models like GPT-4. Moat A sustainable competitive advantage. Chopping Things Up Breaking down large tasks into smaller, more manageable sub-tasks when using AI tools. Taste for Models Understanding the capabilities and limitations of AI models for effective use. Two-Day Work Test A unique hiring process involving a real-world two-day project for candidates. The rise of Cursor: The Key takeaway: Cursor aims to revolutionize software development by moving away from traditional coding towards a higher-level, more intuitive approach. The Vision: A World After Code - Goal: To invent a new paradigm of programming, building software in a fundamentally different way. Concept: Shifting from writing code (JavaScript, Python) to specifying intent in a more human-readable, pseudo-code like language. This involves abstracting away the complexities of underlying code. Cursor's role: Cursor is an AI-powered code editor at the forefront of this change, aiming to make software development easier and more accessible. Cursor's Growth and EPO - Rapid Growth: Cursor achieved ">(300M ARR AI tool that engineers can’t stop using | Michael Truell Cursor: Inventing a New Way to Build Software Key takeaway: Cursor aims to revolutionize software development by moving away from traditional coding towards a higher-level, more intuitive approach. The Vision: A World After Code - Goal: To invent a new paradigm of programming, building software in a fundamentally different way. Concept: Shifting from writing code (JavaScript, Python) to specifying intent in a more human-readable, pseudo-code like language. This involves abstracting away the complexities of underlying code. Cursor's role: Cursor is an AI-powered code editor at the forefront of this change, aiming to make software development easier and more accessible. Cursor's Growth and EPO - Rapid Growth: Cursor achieved )100 million ARR in 18 months and $300 million ARR in 2 years. EPO (Experimentation Platform): A platform for A/B testing and feature management used by companies like Airbnb, Snowflake, and Twitch. It accelerates experimentation velocity and provides deep analysis capabilities. Rethinking Software Development - The Shift: Moving beyond code to a higher-level representation of software logic. The focus shifts from writing code to specifying the desired outcome. Human-Centric Approach: Maintaining human control over the software development process, but leveraging AI to automate tedious tasks. Importance of "Taste": In the "world after code," the ability to envision and design the user experience (UI/UX) becomes increasingly crucial, alongside the logic of the software. This encompasses visual design, smooth animations, and overall user experience. Defining "Taste" in Software Development - Taste: Not just aesthetics, but the ability to effortlessly translate a vision into a working software product. It involves understanding what needs to be built and how it should function. Cursor's Origin Story: Started as a solution to a problem, leveraging the power of AI to improve software development. The initial inspiration came from the usefulness of AI tools like GitHub Copilot. AI's Role: Cursor uses AI to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of software development, but it doesn't aim to replace human developers. The Cursor Approach: IDE vs. Plugin - Two Paths to AI-Powered Development: Building an AI-powered IDE (Cursor's approach) versus creating a plugin for existing IDEs. Cursor's Choice: Cursor chose to build its own IDE to have more control over the entire development workflow and user experience. This allows for greater flexibility and integration of AI features. Rapid Development: Cursor's initial version was developed in just three months, leveraging existing tools like VS Code. Success Factors and Challenges - Secret to Success: Sustained paranoia about improvement, continuously striving to make the tool better. This involved rapid iteration and responsiveness to user feedback. Initial Growth: Experienced a period of slow growth initially, followed by a rapid acceleration after three months. Continuous Evolution: Cursor is constantly evolving, aiming to achieve its ultimate goal of inventing a new form of programming. Custom Models and Their Role - Counterintuitive Approach: Cursor uses custom models alongside large language models (LLMs) rather than relying solely on LLMs. This allows for optimization for specific use cases (e.g., code completion). Focus on Weaknesses: Cursor's custom models address the weaknesses of existing foundation models, complementing their strengths. Moat in the Market: Custom models provide a competitive advantage, creating a barrier to entry for competitors. The market is characterized by high ceilings and the potential for leapfrogging. User Tips and Best Practices - Two Key Tips for Cursor Users: Chop tasks into smaller parts: Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks to improve the efficiency of the AI. Develop a "taste" for the model's capabilities: Understand the model's strengths and limitations to effectively utilize its features. Benefits for All Skill Levels: Both junior and senior engineers benefit from Cursor, though they may use it in different ways. Hiring and Company Culture - Two-Day Work Test: A unique hiring process that involves having candidates work on a real-world project for two days. This allows for a more realistic assessment of their skills and abilities. Company Growth: Cursor is scaling rapidly, with a focus on hiring excellent engineers, designers, and researchers. The Future of Software Engineering: The demand for software continues to grow, and AI tools like Cursor aim to make software development more efficient and accessible. The rise of Cursor: The This blog post summarizes key insights from a podcast interview with Michael Tru, co-founder and CEO of AnySphere, the company behind Cursor, a leading AI code editor. The conversation explores Cursor's rapid growth, its vision for a "world after code," and the future of software engineering. Cursor's Vision: Beyond Code Goal: To invent a new way of programming, moving beyond traditional coding. The aim is to build software through specifying intent, rather than writing lines of code. Counterintuitive aspect: Cursor's development involved building custom models, a decision not initially anticipated. Rapid Growth: Cursor achieved ">(300M ARR AI tool that engineers can’t stop using | Michael Truell Cursor: Reimagining Software Development in a Post-Code World This blog post summarizes key insights from a podcast interview with Michael Tru, co-founder and CEO of AnySphere, the company behind Cursor, a leading AI code editor. The conversation explores Cursor's rapid growth, its vision for a "world after code," and the future of software engineering. Cursor's Vision: Beyond Code Goal: To invent a new way of programming, moving beyond traditional coding. The aim is to build software through specifying intent, rather than writing lines of code. Counterintuitive aspect: Cursor's development involved building custom models, a decision not initially anticipated. Rapid Growth: Cursor achieved )100 million ARR in 18 months and $300 million ARR in 2 years. This exponential growth is attributed to a focus on product quality and continuous improvement. Michael Tru's Background: Michael brings extensive experience in AI, computer science, and business, shaping Cursor's vision and strategy. EPO: Revolutionizing Experimentation EPO (Experimentation Platform): A next-generation AB testing and feature management platform used by companies like Airbnb, Snowflake, and Twitch. Key Features: Increased experimentation velocity, deep analysis capabilities, advanced statistical methods, and an accessible UI. Benefits: Reduces experiment time, improves performance analysis, and facilitates the sharing of insights. The World After Code Shifting Paradigm: The future of software development involves moving away from traditional coding towards higher-level abstractions, more like pseudo-code or even natural language. Human-Centric Approach: While AI assists, humans remain in control, making quick changes and iterations. The Role of "Taste": In the world after code, "taste" – the ability to define the desired look, feel, and functionality of software – becomes increasingly valuable alongside technical skills. This involves visual design (UI/UX) and the logical design of software functionality. The Increasing Importance of "Taste" Beyond Technical Skills: The ability to translate a vision into functional software is crucial. It's less about the technical implementation details and more about specifying the desired outcome. Efficient Translation: The ideal is effortless translation of intent into working software, minimizing the translation layer between the team's vision and the computer's execution. Cursor's Origin Story: Cursor's development started as a solution to a problem, driven by the desire to create a more efficient and intuitive way to build software. The initial inspiration came from the usefulness of AI tools like GitHub Copilot. The Evolution of AI and its Impact on Work Maturing Technology: The early stages of AI development focused on scaling existing models. Now, the focus is shifting towards understanding how AI can fundamentally change how we work. Cursor's Approach: Cursor focuses on building an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) for engineers, rather than creating a fully autonomous AI agent. Human Control: Maintaining human control over the software development process is paramount. AI is a tool to enhance human capabilities, not replace them. The Future of IDEs and AI-Assisted Development Changing IDEs: The form factor of programming will change significantly. The traditional IDE will evolve to integrate seamlessly with other tools and platforms. AI Agents in the Background: AI will handle background tasks, allowing developers to focus on higher-level design and decision-making. Successful Cursor Usage Patterns: Most successful users employ a hybrid approach: chopping tasks into smaller parts, specifying the desired outcome to the AI, and reviewing the AI's work. Cursor's Development and Rapid Growth Rapid Prototyping: Cursor was initially built quickly, with a focus on getting a working product into users' hands. The team later transitioned to using VS Code as a base, improving development speed. Building in Public: The team iterated on the product based on user feedback, leading to rapid improvement and adoption. Key to Success: Sustained paranoia about improvement, focusing on making the tool consistently better, even after initial success. OneSchema: Automating Data Integration OneSchema's Solution: Automates the often tedious and error-prone process of importing and integrating data from various sources (CSV, Excel, etc.). AI-Powered Enhancements: The latest version leverages AI to simplify data transformation, even for non-technical users. Benefits: Reduces manual work, prevents data errors, and improves data quality. Cursor's Custom Models: A Strategic Advantage Counterintuitive Approach: Cursor uses custom models for specific tasks, rather than relying solely on large foundation models. Strategic Focus: This approach allows Cursor to optimize for speed, cost, and specific use cases where foundation models might fall short. Defensibility in the AI Market: Custom models provide a competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving market. The high ceiling of the market and the potential for continuous improvement make it a long-term defensible space. User Tips and Future Outlook Successful Cursor Usage: Breaking down complex tasks into smaller, manageable parts, and iteratively refining the AI's output, leads to better results. Benefits for All Skill Levels: While Cursor benefits both junior and senior engineers, the impact varies depending on usage patterns and experience. Hiring and Scaling: Cursor is actively hiring engineers, designers, and researchers to continue its rapid growth. The future will likely see a blend of human and AI-driven development, with humans retaining ultimate control. Key Takeaways Cursor represents a significant shift in how software is developed. By focusing on specifying intent rather than writing code, and by leveraging AI strategically, Cursor aims to dramatically increase developer productivity and efficiency. The company’s rapid growth highlights the market demand for such tools and its custom model approach offers a compelling competitive advantage in the long term. The future of software development will likely involve a close collaboration between humans and AI, with humans remaining in the driver's seat.