Install the Cursor AI Code Editor on Ubuntu

What Cursor is

Cursor is a code editor built on the base of Visual Studio Code, with AI features such as code suggestions, chat and edits by prompt.

Requirements

At least 4 GB of RAM and 2 GB of free disk space. More RAM helps with large projects.
An Ubuntu desktop (not a server without a screen).
A stable internet connection, because the AI features use online services.

Step 1: Download the AppImage

Open the Cursor website and download the Linux (x64) AppImage.

Step 2: Make it executable

Go to the folder of the download and set the execute bit (use the real file name of your download):

cd ~/Downloads
chmod a+x Cursor-*.AppImage

AppImages may need the FUSE library. On Ubuntu 22.04 and later install it with:

sudo apt install libfuse2

Move the file to a fixed place:

sudo mv Cursor-*.AppImage /opt/cursor.AppImage

Create a desktop file:

sudo nano /usr/share/applications/cursor.desktop

Add:

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Cursor
Comment=AI Code Editor
Exec=/opt/cursor.AppImage --no-sandbox
Icon=code
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Development;

Update the desktop database:

sudo update-desktop-database

Step 4: Start and set up Cursor

Start it from the applications menu, or from a terminal:

/opt/cursor.AppImage --no-sandbox

The --no-sandbox flag is needed on some Ubuntu versions where the sandbox of the AppImage is blocked. Use it only if Cursor does not start without it.

On the first start: