Pathwise

Manuals / AI Coding with Cursor / Chapter 1

Start · beginner · ~25 min · Chapter 1 of 11

Cursor mental model: chat vs agent vs inline

Cursor is an IDE with LLM superpowers. Chat for questions. Agent for multi-file tasks. Inline (Tab/Cmd+K) for local edits. Pick the right mode or waste tokens.

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Three modes, three tasks

Chat: "Explain this function." Inline: rename a variable across a file. Agent: "Add a login test."

Three modes, three tasksDrag stickies · tap for tips
Study mapDrag stickies · tap for tipsKeep it shortdrag · tap →Name the waitdrag · tap →Scope locatorsdrag · tap →Trace when stuckdrag · tap →One browser firstdrag · tap →Isolate statedrag · tap →Assert the UIdrag · tap →Retry wiselydrag · tap →Seed datadrag · tap →Close the loopdrag · tap →Keep it shortdrag · tap →Name the waitdrag · tap →Scope locatorsdrag · tap →Trace when stuckdrag · tap →One browser firstdrag · tap →Isolate statedrag · tap →Pathwise hackdrag · tap →Three modes, threedrag · tap →Try thisdrag · tap →Follow the dashed drag · tap →

Do this now

Do one task in each mode. Note which felt fastest and safest.

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Chapter learning outcomes
  • Chat vs Agent vs Inline
  • Context awareness
  • @ references

Clear these before you leave

Side quest

Mode cheat sheet

Write a personal rule: when to use chat vs agent vs inline.