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How to configure AI models on Cursor

intermediate 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18
Quick Answer

Configure AI models in Cursor by accessing Settings, navigating to AI Models, adding your API keys for providers like OpenAI or Anthropic, and selecting your preferred model. You can customize model parameters and set different models for chat vs autocomplete features.

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Prerequisites

  • Cursor IDE installed
  • Valid API key for your preferred AI provider
  • Basic understanding of AI coding assistants
  • Active internet connection

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Open Cursor Settings

Launch Cursor IDE and access settings by pressing Ctrl+, (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+, (Mac). Alternatively, click the gear icon in the bottom left corner and select Settings from the menu.
You can also access settings through the top menu: File > Preferences > Settings
2

Navigate to AI Models Section

In the settings panel, look for the AI Models or Copilot++ section in the left sidebar. Click on it to expand the AI configuration options. This section contains all model-related settings including provider configuration and model selection.
3

Add API Keys for AI Providers

Click Add API Key and select your preferred provider from the dropdown menu (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google AI, etc.). Paste your API key in the text field and click Save. For OpenAI, enter your key in format sk-.... For Anthropic, use your Claude API key format sk-ant-....
Store API keys securely and never share them. Generate keys from your provider's dashboard.
4

Select Your Primary Model

In the Model Selection dropdown, choose your preferred model for code completion. Options typically include:
  • GPT-4 Turbo for advanced reasoning
  • GPT-3.5 Turbo for faster responses
  • Claude 3 for balanced performance
  • Codestral for specialized coding tasks
Different models excel at different tasks - experiment to find what works best for your coding style
5

Configure Chat vs Autocomplete Models

Set separate models for different features by expanding Advanced Settings. Configure:
  • Chat Model: For conversational coding help
  • Autocomplete Model: For inline code suggestions
  • Command Model: For specific code generation commands
Click Apply to save your selections.
Use faster models for autocomplete and more powerful models for complex chat interactions
6

Adjust Model Parameters

Fine-tune model behavior in the Parameters section:
  • Temperature: Set between 0-1 for creativity vs consistency
  • Max Tokens: Limit response length (typically 1000-4000)
  • Context Length: Adjust how much code context to include
Lower temperature (0.2-0.4) works better for code generation, higher values for creative tasks
7

Test and Verify Configuration

Test your setup by opening a code file and trying:
  • Type Ctrl+K (Cmd+K on Mac) to open the AI command palette
  • Press Tab to accept autocomplete suggestions
  • Use Ctrl+L (Cmd+L on Mac) to start an AI chat session
Verify that responses are generated using your configured model.
Check the status bar at the bottom of Cursor to see which model is currently active

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

API key authentication failed

Verify your API key is correct and has sufficient credits/quota. Check the key format matches your provider's requirements and ensure it has the necessary permissions for code generation.

Model responses are too slow

Switch to a faster model like GPT-3.5 Turbo for autocomplete, reduce the context length in parameters, or check your internet connection speed. Consider using local models if available.

Autocomplete suggestions not appearing

Check that autocomplete is enabled in Settings > AI Models > Autocomplete. Verify your model selection and ensure the file type is supported. Try restarting Cursor if the issue persists.

Model configuration not saving

Ensure Cursor has write permissions to its configuration directory. Try running Cursor as administrator (Windows) or with appropriate permissions. Clear Cursor cache and restart the application.

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