Cursor is an AI-enhanced code editor built on VS Code. It offers smarter suggestions, faster development, and multi-language flexibility — including full support for R. If you're transitioning from RStudio, Cursor can dramatically improve your workflow with real-time coding help and seamless extension support.
While there are some resources that explain how to set up Cursor for Python, I couldn't find any resources that explain how to set up Cursor for R especially with Jupyter Notebook. This guide walks you through all the steps necessary.
This guide is the first part of a two-part series. In the second part, we'll take it even further by integrating R into Jupyter Notebooks — all inside Cursor.
Why I Switched to Cursor
- ⚡ Real-time AI suggestions boost coding speed.
- 🔁 Easy switching between R, Python, and more.
- 🔧 Built-in support for extensions without extra plugins.
Prerequisites
Make sure your system meets these basic requirements:
- Operating System: Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu Linux
- Internet Connection: Required for download and setup
- RAM: 4GB minimum (8GB recommended)
- Disk Space: At least 1GB free
First, download Cursor from the official site:
Installing Cursor
Download the installer for your system and follow the installation steps. Once installed, open Cursor to ensure it launches properly.
Setting Up R Integration
If you haven't installed R yet, grab it from CRAN. Recommended version: R ≥ 4.2.
Check your R version by typing:
R.version.stringInside Cursor, create a new file ending with .R. Cursor should prompt you to install the R extension automatically.
If no prompt appears, open the Marketplace (Cmd + B on Mac / Ctrl + B on Windows), search for "R Extension", and install the extension manually.
After installing the extension, reopen your .R file. You're now ready to code in R inside Cursor — similar to RStudio but with smarter AI assistance.
"Cursor can predict the next line of code before you even know what you're about to type."
What's Next?
Next up: We'll take it even further by integrating R into Jupyter Notebooks — all inside Cursor. Stay tuned for Part 2!
If you run into any issues or have suggestions for improving this guide, feel free to reach out! Your feedback is always welcome. 😊
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