pages/cli/overview.txt

route: /docs/cli/overview
title: Cursor CLI
description: Get started with Cursor CLI to code in your terminal

Cursor CLI
Cursor CLI lets you interact with AI agents directly from your terminal to write, review, and modify code. Whether you prefer an interactive terminal interface or print automation for scripts and CI pipelines, the CLI provides powerful coding assistance right where you work.
Getting started
# Install (macOS, Linux, WSL)
curl https://cursor.com/install -fsS | bash
# Install (Windows PowerShell)
irm 'https://cursor.com/install?win32=true' | iex
# Run interactive session
agent
Interactive mode
Start a conversational session with the agent to describe your goals, review proposed changes, and approve commands:
# Start interactive session
agent
# Start with initial prompt
agent "refactor the auth module to use JWT tokens"
Modes
The CLI supports the same modes as the editor. Switch between modes using slash commands, keyboard shortcuts, or the --mode flag.
Mode
Description
Shortcut
Agent
Full access to all tools for complex coding tasks
Default (no --mode value needed)
Plan
Design your approach before coding with clarifying questions
Shift+Tab, /plan, --plan, --mode=plan
Ask
Read-only exploration without making changes
/ask, --mode=ask
Non-interactive mode
Use print mode for non-interactive scenarios like scripts, CI pipelines, or automation:
# Run with specific prompt and model
agent -p "find and fix performance issues" --model "gpt-5"
# Use with git changes included for review
agent -p "review these changes for security issues" --output-format text
Cloud Agent handoff
Push your conversation to a Cloud Agent to continue running while you're away. Prepend & to any message:
# Send a task to Cloud Agent mid-conversation
& refactor the auth module and add comprehensive tests
Pick up your Cloud Agent tasks on web or mobile at cursor.com/agents.
Sessions
Resume previous conversations to maintain context across multiple interactions:
# Open previous chats and resume one
agent ls
# Resume latest conversation
agent resume
# Continue the previous session
agent --continue
# Resume specific conversation
agent --resume="chat-id-here"
Sandbox controls
Configure command execution settings with /sandbox or the --sandbox <mode> flag (enabled or disabled). Toggle sandbox mode on or off and control network access through an interactive menu. Settings persist across sessions.
Max mode
Toggle Max Mode on models that support it using /max-mode.
Sudo password prompting
Run commands requiring elevated privileges without leaving the CLI. When a command needs sudo, Cursor displays a secure, masked password prompt. Your password flows directly to sudo via a secure IPC channel; the AI model never sees it.