How to master Peek and Edit on Cursor

intermediate 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Peek and Edit in Cursor allows you to view and modify code definitions without leaving your current context. This feature enables efficient code navigation and editing by opening inline windows that display referenced code.

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Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of code editors
Familiarity with Cursor interface
Understanding of code navigation concepts
Knowledge of keyboard shortcuts

Step-by-Step Instructions

Enable Peek and Edit functionality

Open Cursor and navigate to Settings > Features. Ensure Peek Definition and Peek References are enabled. You can also access settings via Ctrl+, on Windows/Linux or Cmd+, on Mac.

Consider customizing keyboard shortcuts for peek commands in the Keyboard Shortcuts section for faster access.

Use Peek Definition to view code

Place your cursor on any function, variable, or class name in your code. Press Alt+F12 (Windows/Linux) or Option+F12 (Mac) to open the peek definition window. The definition will appear in an inline editor below your current line without navigating away from your current file.

You can also right-click and select 'Peek Definition' from the context menu.

Navigate within the peek window

Once the peek window is open, use the navigation controls at the top. Click the breadcrumb trail to see the file path, use arrow buttons to navigate between multiple definitions, or press F12 to go to the actual definition file. The peek window shows line numbers and syntax highlighting.

Use Ctrl+Click (Cmd+Click on Mac) on other symbols within the peek window to peek into their definitions recursively.

Edit code directly in peek window

Click inside the peek window to start editing the code directly. All changes are automatically saved to the original file. You can use standard editing shortcuts like Ctrl+Z for undo, Ctrl+C/V for copy/paste, and Ctrl+F for find within the peek window.

Changes made in peek windows are immediately reflected in the original file and any other open instances.

Use Peek References to see usage

Position your cursor on a function or variable and press Shift+F12 to open peek references. This shows all locations where the symbol is used across your project. Navigate between references using the reference list on the left side of the peek window.

The reference count is displayed at the top of the window - useful for understanding code impact before making changes.

Master peek window management

Close peek windows by pressing Escape or clicking the X button. Resize peek windows by dragging the borders. You can have multiple peek windows open simultaneously by using peek commands on different symbols. Switch between peek windows using Tab when focused in a peek window.

Use Ctrl+Shift+P (Cmd+Shift+P on Mac) and type 'peek' to see all available peek commands.

Customize peek behavior and appearance

Go to Settings > Editor > Peek Editor to customize peek window behavior. Adjust peek window height, enable/disable auto-focus, and configure peek border styles. You can also set whether peek windows should close automatically when clicking outside them.

Enable 'Editor: Peek Widget Default Focus' to automatically focus the peek editor for immediate typing.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Peek definition shows 'No definition found'

Ensure your language server is running properly. Check the Language Server Status in the status bar. Try restarting Cursor or running Developer: Reload Window from the command palette.

Peek window appears too small or cut off

Drag the peek window borders to resize, or go to Settings > Editor > Peek Editor and adjust the Default Height value. Try values between 12-20 for optimal viewing.

Keyboard shortcuts not working for peek commands

Check File > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts and search for 'peek'. Verify the shortcuts aren't conflicting with other extensions. Reset to default if needed.

Changes in peek window not saving

Ensure the file isn't read-only and you have write permissions. Check if the file is part of a version control system with locks. Try manually saving with Ctrl+S while focused in the peek window.

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