OpenCode vs Cursor
Choose Cursor if inline editing and an integrated editor workflow are your main needs. Choose OpenCode if keeping your current editor and choosing your own model providers matter more. If you already use Cursor but want OpenCode’s model configuration, run OpenCode in Cursor’s terminal; there is no need to replace your editor first.
The tradeoff is integration versus configuration responsibility: Cursor organizes the editor experience, while an OpenCode setup lets you manage provider credentials and model choices separately. Neither choice establishes a speed or code-quality advantage.
Compare current workflows
Cursor's documentation (opens in a new tab) covers the editor, agent and CLI. Describing it only as an editor with no terminal option would omit part of the product. OpenCode also has multiple interfaces, including editor integration; it is not limited to a detached terminal window.
| Decision | What to inspect in OpenCode | What to inspect in Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| Daily editing | How the agent and your editor exchange context | Editor experience, completion and agent review flow |
| Terminal work | CLI and TUI behavior on your operating system | Current CLI support and its account requirements |
| Model access | Provider credentials, compatible protocol and model ID | Models and features available to your account |
| Team adoption | Rules, permissions, integrations and deployment requirements | Organization policies, supported clients and plan features |
| Cost | Provider inference charges and any selected service plan | Included usage, additional usage and account terms |
For OpenCode in an existing editor, continue with the IDE setup instructions.
Use OpenCode inside Cursor
Install OpenCode using the getting-started guide, open a repository in Cursor, and run opencode from its integrated terminal. Follow the IDE instructions for extension setup. Test with a small question about the active file, then review a single-file edit before relying on shared editor context for a larger task.
Connect a provider and choose a model for OpenCode independently of Cursor's account settings. Using the same editor does not mean that both agents share a key, model or billing allowance.
Decide which part of the workflow to compare
For completion while typing, evaluate the editor experience directly. For a bounded agent task, compare the accepted patch and review effort. For scripted work, inspect OpenCode's CLI and the current Cursor CLI documentation. These are related workflows, but one result does not stand in for all three.
If you keep both tools, avoid asking them to edit the same working files concurrently. Use separate tasks or checkouts, review each diff, and run the project checks after combining changes. The AI coding workflow describes how to size and review those tasks.
Bring project conventions across
Move repository instructions into OpenCode's rules, then verify permissions and any MCP connections. Keep credentials separate from the shared instructions. The configuration reference explains project settings; do not copy an editor's JSON keys into it unchanged.
For model costs, consult Zen's pricing and free models if you use Zen, or the connected provider's rates. The free-tools guide explains the distinction between a free client and free inference. For a Claude-focused client comparison, see OpenCode vs Claude Code.
Try them on the same task
Choose a small task with explicit acceptance checks and start from the same repository commit. Record the tool and model versions. Evaluate the final diff, test result, manual corrections and actual usage charge. If you change both the client and model, make that limitation clear in your conclusion.
For OpenCode inside Cursor, follow the IDE setup instructions and confirm that the integration is available in your environment. The terminal opening successfully does not prove that editor selection or file context is being shared.
Your next step
For an OpenCode trial, install the client, connect your provider, then follow the editor steps above. Use connection troubleshooting if a request fails. Keep your editor and model fixed during the first trial so you can judge the client change itself.
Billing and data handling
A free client does not make hosted inference free. A subscription may include limits or additional usage fees. There is no general basis here to claim that one tool is cheaper for all users. Check current provider or product billing for your own workload.
Model locality, client telemetry, extensions and external tools are separate data paths. Review the relevant settings before sending private code. Do not treat either an open-source license or a paid plan as a blanket privacy guarantee.
For setup errors, use the connection checklist. For a broader comparison, see the agent shortlist. For a gateway configuration example, see third-party API setup.