How to Switch from Cursor to Visual Studio Code

The migration, step by step

1. 1
   Prepare

   Audit how you actually use it

   List the Cursor features your team touches weekly. Most teams use 20% of features for 80% of the work — those are the only ones the free alternative must cover.

2. 2
   Prepare

   Export your data first

   Before anything else, export everything from Cursor. Keep the export in its original format plus any open standard offered (CSV, JSON, SVG, Markdown). Do not cancel yet.

3. 3
   Pilot

   Set up the free alternative

   Install or open Visual Studio Code and recreate one small, real project from scratch — not a toy file. This surfaces gaps while switching is still cheap.

4. 4
   Pilot

   Run a two-week pilot in parallel

   Do live work in Visual Studio Code while keeping Cursor read-only. Note every friction point; most disappear after the first week as muscle memory adjusts.

5. 5
   Migrate

   Migrate your assets

   Move your exported files into Visual Studio Code. Where direct import is unsupported, use the open-standard export (CSV/SVG/Markdown) or a one-time conversion — then keep the originals archived.

6. 6
   Cut the cost

   Cut the subscription

   Cancel Cursor at the end of the billing cycle (avoid losing access mid-cycle). Check the cancellation date against your renewal to dodge the next price increase.

Your destination: Visual Studio Code

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