Provider
Cursor CLI GUI: Run the Cursor Agent in Node
Node runs the Cursor agent outside the Cursor editor, on macOS, Windows or Linux, with your Cursor plan or a Cursor API key. You get shared channels with agents on other providers, and an app on your phone.
How to set it up
Download Node
For macOS 13 or later on Apple silicon or Intel, Windows 10 or later on x64, or x64 or arm64 Linux.
Connect Cursor
Choose Cursor, and Node downloads and pins its own copy of the Cursor CLI, or uses the one you installed. Then sign in with Cursor in the browser, or set
CURSOR_API_KEY.Give your agent a job
Create an agent on Cursor, choose its model, and give it a task. Node makes a workspace folder for it. When the work grows, add agents on other providers to the same channel.
What Node adds
The Cursor agent without the editor
The Cursor CLI runs in the terminal. Node gives it a desktop app with threads and files, so you can use Cursor's models without the editor open.
A team, not one chat
Each agent has its own job and workspace. A lead agent gives parts of a task to other agents in a shared channel, and you step in when a decision needs you.
Your agents on your phone
The Node apps for iPhone and Android connect to the computer that runs your agents, over an encrypted connection, with no VPN. Remote access needs an Node account.
Change the provider, keep the work
Move an agent to a different provider and it keeps its role, workspace and conversation. Agents on different providers work in the same channel. When a plan reaches its limit, an agent can move to a backup model.
Your data on your computer
Workspaces, chats and files stay on the computer that runs Node. The provider you choose gets the requests you send.
Use your AI plans
Node is free for noncommercial use. Your agents use the plans you already pay for.
Official apps
The apps from Cursor, and where they run. Node runs the same agent, so you can use both.
| App | Runs on | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Cursor editor | macOS, Windows, Linux, on x64 and arm64 | An editor built from VS Code, with agents built in. |
| Cursor CLI | macOS, Linux, Windows, WSL | The agent in the terminal, as agent. It also speaks the Agent Client Protocol. |
Every plan an agent can use
Cursor is one of them. Choose a provider for each agent, and change it later: the agent keeps its role, workspace and conversation.
- CursorYour Cursor plan, or a Cursor API key.
- ChatGPTYour ChatGPT plan, through Codex.
- ClaudeYour Claude plan, through Claude Code.
- GeminiYour Google AI Pro or Ultra plan.
- GrokYour Grok account or an xAI API key.
- OpenCodeFree models, or an OpenCode Go key.
- ClineYour Cline account, or a Cline API key.
- Muse CodeYour Meta account, or a Meta API key.
- PiIncluded with Node. Sign in to a provider with /login in Pi.
- InceptionMercury models, with an Inception API key.
- Custom agentAny ACP agent, such as Goose, Qwen Code or GitHub Copilot.
- Your own modelAny OpenAI-compatible server, also one on your computer.
Questions
Is there a GUI for the Cursor CLI?
The Cursor editor is Cursor's own graphical app. The Cursor CLI also runs in editors that speak the Agent Client Protocol, such as Zed and JetBrains IDEs. Node is a desktop app that runs it as one agent of a team.
Which Cursor plan does Node need?
Your Cursor plan, or a Cursor API key from the Cursor dashboard. Hobby is free; Pro is $20 a month, Pro Plus $60 and Ultra $200. Use beyond the plan is billed at API prices.
Do I need the Cursor editor to use Cursor in Node?
No. Node runs the Cursor CLI, which is a separate program. The editor does not have to be installed or open.
Can Cursor and Claude Code work together in Node?
Yes. Each agent has its own provider. A Cursor agent and a Claude Code agent can work in the same channel and give tasks to each other.
Sources
Every statement about Cursor comes from the pages below, checked on . They can change after that date.