Cursor vs Claude Code
Cursor is an AI code editor. Claude Code is Anthropic's coding agent that runs in your terminal. Both can use SKILL.md skills.
Side by side
| Cursor | Claude Code | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A code editor with AI built in | A coding agent you run from the command line |
| Made by | Anysphere (Cursor) | Anthropic |
| Where you work | Inside the editor window | In a terminal, next to any editor |
| Skills folder | .cursor/skills/ | ~/.claude/skills/ or .claude/skills/ |
| Project guidance | Cursor rules | CLAUDE.md file |
Pick Cursor if
You want AI inside a visual editor. You like to see and accept each change in place.
Pick Claude Code if
You live in the terminal. You want an agent that plans and runs multi-step tasks for you.
Use both
Many developers do. The same SKILL.md skill can sit in both folders. Find skills for Cursor and Claude Code.
Questions
Can Cursor and Claude Code share skills?
Yes, in most cases. Copy the same skill folder into each tool's skills folder.
Is Claude Code an editor?
No. It is an agent you run in a terminal. You keep your own editor.