I stopped using Cursor to write code, and that's when it actually became useful

At a glance:

• Author Yash realized Cursor's true value lies in code comprehension, not generation.
• Shifting from asking Cursor to write code to using it for explanations cut down debugging time.
• Cursor acts as an AI-powered IDE that complements VS Code and Codex in navigating complex projects.

Background and early expectations

Published Jun 14, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT, the piece reflects on Yash’s journey. Beginning his professional journey in the tech industry in 2018, Yash spent over three years as a Software Engineer. After that, he shifted his focus to empowering readers through informative and engaging content on his tech blog – DiGiTAL BiRYANi. He has also published tech articles for MakeTechEasier. He loves to explore new tech gadgets and platforms. When he is not writing, you’ll find him exploring food. He is known as Digital Chef Yash among his readers because of his love for Technology and Food.

When he first started using Cursor, Yash treated it like an AI developer that would write most of his code for him. He would describe a feature, wait for the generated code, review it, fix a few things, and move on. At least, that was the expectation. Sometimes the results were impressive, as Cursor could generate boilerplate, suggest implementations, and speed up repetitive work. However, the experience was not as smooth as the demos suggested, and larger tasks required more time reviewing, correcting, and ensuring the generated code fit the project. He initially blamed his prompts or lack of context, not realizing the tool’s strengths lay elsewhere.

Changing the approach: from generation to explanation

The turning point came when Yash stopped treating Cursor as a tool that should write complete features for him. Instead of starting every task with “build this,” he began asking questions about the codebase. He would ask Cursor to explain unfamiliar parts, trace where a piece of logic originated, or point him to the files relevant to a bug. He also used it to understand code written by other developers before making changes himself. This shift was small but fundamental to his workflow.

What surprised him was how much more useful Cursor became when its answers were grounded in the project’s context rather than generating large amounts of code from scratch. The responses were often faster and more reliable because they drew on existing files, dependencies, and historical decisions. Once he changed his approach, he spent less time fighting the tool and more time benefiting from it. That's when Cursor finally started living up to the hype for him.

Where Cursor delivers real time savings

The biggest surprise for Yash was that Cursor saves him the most time in places where he is not writing code at all. When working in an unfamiliar codebase, he can ask Cursor where a particular API is being used, how a feature connects across multiple files, or what happens when a specific button is clicked. Instead of manually searching through dozens of files, he usually gets pointed in the right direction within seconds. He also uses it heavily for debugging, tracing the flow of data, identifying related files, and understanding potential causes much faster than he could on his own.

Another area where it helps is refactoring; before making changes, Yash often asks Cursor to explain dependencies, highlight affected components, or summarize how a piece of functionality works. The result is not that Cursor writes all his code, but that he spends far less time searching, tracing, and trying to understand existing code. This reduction in friction adds up quickly, and it's where he has seen the biggest productivity gains. Cursor is an AI-powered IDE that rivals VS Code and Codex, reinforcing its role as a navigational aid rather than a code generator.