Project HQComparison
Cursor vs Claude Code (and Codex): how they differ
Cursor is a code editor with an AI agent built in. Claude Code and Codex are agents you can run in a terminal, in an editor or in their own apps. You can also use them together.
Dennis runs several projects at once with Claude Code and Codex. He built Project HQ to see them all on one screen.
The short answer
Cursor is a code editor. It is built on the code of VS Code, and it has an AI agent in a side panel. Claude Code (from Anthropic) and Codex (from OpenAI) are coding agents: AI tools that read and change your code. You can run them in a terminal, inside an editor such as VS Code or Cursor, or in their own desktop and web apps.
So you don't always have to pick one. You can run Claude Code or Codex inside Cursor. The real questions are two. Which editor do you want to work in? And which company's plan pays for the agent?
Side by side
| Cursor | Claude Code | Codex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | AI code editor with a built-in agent | Coding agent from Anthropic | Coding agent from OpenAI |
| Main place you use it | The Cursor editor; also a CLI | Terminal, VS Code, JetBrains, desktop app, web | CLI, IDE extension, ChatGPT apps, web |
| Models | Several providers, including Anthropic and OpenAI | Anthropic's Claude | OpenAI's models |
| Project instructions | .cursor/rules and AGENTS.md | CLAUDE.md, or AGENTS.md | AGENTS.md |
| Free option (26 Oct 2026) | Free plan with limited agent requests | No; needs a paid Claude plan or Console account | Included in ChatGPT Free and Go |
Cursor in brief
Cursor's VS Code migration page says it "is based upon the VS Code codebase". You can bring over your VS Code extensions, themes, settings and keyboard shortcuts in one click.
Its Agent works from a side panel. The Cursor Agent page says it can do coding tasks on its own, run terminal commands and edit code. Per the Cursor docs, you can pick models from several makers, including Anthropic and OpenAI.
Your project rules live in .cursor/rules, as .mdc files. Cursor also reads plain AGENTS.md files, at the top of the project and in subfolders. Both are described on the Cursor rules page.
There is a terminal version too: the Cursor CLI. A CLI is a tool you run by typing commands. It installs on macOS, Linux, WSL and Windows (PowerShell). You start it with the agent command. It has three modes: Agent, Plan and Ask.
The Cursor pricing page lists a Free plan with a limited number of agent requests. Paid plans for one person start at $8 a month, as of 26 October 2026.
Claude Code in brief
Claude Code reads your code, edits files and runs commands. It works in the terminal, in VS Code and JetBrains, in the Claude desktop app and on the web. Anthropic's overview has an install link for Cursor next to the one for VS Code. So you can run Claude Code inside Cursor.
It needs a Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise or Console account. The free Claude plan does not include it, says the setup page.
Codex vs Cursor
Codex has an extension for VS Code and editors like it. OpenAI's Codex IDE page names Cursor and Windsurf among them. Codex comes with ChatGPT plans, from Free upwards, as of 26 October 2026 (Codex pricing).
So "Codex vs Cursor" is mostly about which plan pays for the agent. Is it your ChatGPT plan, or your Cursor plan?
How to choose
- You want one editor where everything happens, with a choice of models: Cursor.
- You live in the terminal, or want several sessions side by side outside an editor: Claude Code or Codex. Both also have their own desktop app.
- You already pay for Claude Pro or Max: Claude Code is included. You can still use Cursor as your editor and run Claude Code inside it.
- You already pay for ChatGPT: Codex is included. Its extension works in Cursor too.
- You use more than one: put the rules they share in
AGENTS.md. Cursor and Codex read it. Claude Code reads it when there's noCLAUDE.md. The AGENTS.md guide has a template.
Prices, plan names and limits change often, Cursor's most of all. Check the pricing pages before you decide. The numbers here are from 26 October 2026.
My experience
I used Cursor, then I cancelled it. I already plan my projects in the Claude chat, so Claude Code fits right in. Cursor is great when the plan is clear and you just want to build it.
What they have in common
All three work on the files in your project folder. All three read a project instructions file and can run commands. And all three can plan before they edit. Cursor and its CLI have a Plan mode. Claude Code has plan mode too. The best-practices guide shows how to use it.
None of them is built to show the status of all your projects in one place. That means the goal, how far along each one is, and what's waiting on you. They show sessions and code. The guide to Claude Code's interfaces covers that gap.
Common questions
Is Cursor a fork of VS Code?
Cursor's own docs say it's "based upon the VS Code codebase". It can bring over your VS Code setup in one click.
Can I use Claude Code in Cursor?
Yes. Anthropic offers the Claude Code extension for Cursor as well as for VS Code.
Does Cursor read AGENTS.md?
Yes, at the top of the project and in subfolders. The more specific file wins.
Where Project HQ fits
Whichever tool writes the code, your projects still live in folders on your PC. Project HQ reads those folders. It shows each project's progress, next step and open decisions on one screen. It makes no AI calls of its own and runs on Windows only.
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