# Cursor CLI

> Cursor CLI reference. Use when running Cursor in interactive_shell overlay or when user asks about Cursor CLI options.

- Skill: `nicobailon/cursor-cli` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add nicobailon/cursor-cli`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/nicobailon/cursor-cli/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: nicobailon (https://skillmd.com/u/nicobailon)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/nicobailon/cursor-cli

---


# Cursor CLI

## Commands

| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `agent` | Start interactive Cursor session |
| `agent "prompt"` | Interactive session with initial prompt |
| `agent -p "prompt"` | Non-interactive print mode |
| `agent ls` | List previous chats |
| `agent resume` | Resume latest chat |
| `agent --continue` | Continue previous session |
| `agent --resume "chat-id"` | Resume a specific chat |

## Key Flags

| Flag | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `--mode plan` / `--plan` | Plan mode (clarify before coding) |
| `--mode ask` | Ask mode (read-only exploration) |
| `--model <model>` | Model override |
| `--sandbox <enabled|disabled>` | Toggle sandbox behavior |
| `--output-format text` | Output format for print mode workflows |

## Mode Notes

- **Interactive mode** (`agent`, `agent "prompt"`) is the right fit for `interactive_shell` overlays.
- **Print mode** (`agent -p`) is non-interactive and better suited to direct shell/batch usage.

## In interactive_shell

Use structured spawn when you want the extension's shared spawn resolver/defaults/worktree support:

```typescript
interactive_shell({ spawn: { agent: "cursor" }, mode: "interactive" })
interactive_shell({ spawn: { agent: "cursor", prompt: "Review the diffs" }, mode: "dispatch" })
interactive_shell({ spawn: { agent: "cursor", worktree: true }, mode: "hands-free" })
```

Structured spawn launches Cursor via the configured `spawn.commands.cursor` executable (default: `agent`) and appends prompt text as Cursor's native interactive startup form (`agent "prompt"`). By default, spawn args include `--model composer-2-fast`, which selects Cursor's Composer 2 Fast model explicitly.

Cursor remains **fresh/worktree only** in structured spawn. `fork` is Pi-only.

For non-interactive print-mode tasks, prefer direct shell usage:

```typescript
bash({ command: 'agent -p "review these changes for security issues" --output-format text' })
```