Update script for Cursor AI IDE on linux

update_cursor.md

Cursor IDE Update Script

This Python script automates the process of downloading, installing, and updating the Cursor IDE on Linux. It checks if a new version is available, updates the AppImage, and refreshes the desktop entry and icon.

Prerequisites

• Python 3.x
• urllib and hashlib modules (standard with Python 3)

Usage

1. download the script:

wget https://gist.githubusercontent.com/MohamedElashri/b8dabacb67d56f158dd043d5718d83fd/raw/77f134ecf31fda96d4874458cc9c99ff5d15e1e1/update_cursor_linux.py

2. Run the script with sudo to allow installation into /opt and update the system-wide .desktop entry:

   sudo python3 update_cursor_linux.py

The script will check for the latest version of Cursor IDE and update it if necessary.

update_cursor_linux.py

#!/usr/bin/env python3
# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-

import os
import sys
import json
import hashlib
import urllib.request
import urllib.error

# --- Configuration ---
API_URL = "https://www.cursor.com/api/download?platform=linux-x64&releaseTrack=stable"
ICON_URL = "https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/126759922?v=4"
TARGET_DIR = "/opt/cursor"
APPIMAGE_NAME = "cursor.AppImage"
DESKTOP_FILE = "/usr/share/applications/cursor.desktop"
ICON_NAME = "cursor.png"
# ----------------------

def calculate_file_hash(path, algo="sha256"):
    h = hashlib.new(algo)
    with open(path, "rb") as f:
        while chunk := f.read(8192):
            h.update(chunk)
    return h.hexdigest()

def download_file(url, dest, headers=None):
    req = urllib.request.Request(url, headers=headers or {})
    with urllib.request.urlopen(req) as resp:
        total = int(resp.info().get("Content-Length", -1))
        downloaded = 0
        with open(dest, "wb") as out:
            while chunk := resp.read(8192):
                downloaded += len(chunk)
                out.write(chunk)
                if total > 0:
                    print(f"\rDownloading… {downloaded*100/total:5.1f}%", end="", flush=True)
    print("\nDone")

def fetch_download_url():
    try:
        with urllib.request.urlopen(API_URL) as r:
            data = json.load(r)
        url = data.get("downloadUrl")
        if not url:
            print("API response missing downloadUrl:", data, file=sys.stderr)
            sys.exit(1)
        return url
    except (urllib.error.URLError, json.JSONDecodeError) as e:
        print("Failed to fetch download info:", e, file=sys.stderr)
        sys.exit(1)

os.makedirs(TARGET_DIR, exist_ok=True)
current_path = os.path.join(TARGET_DIR, APPIMAGE_NAME)

if os.path.isfile(current_path):
    print("Checking for updates…")
    current_hash = calculate_file_hash(current_path)
else:
    print("First-time install…")
    current_hash = None

print("Retrieving latest Cursor download URL…")
download_url = fetch_download_url()
print("Download URL:", download_url)

new_path = os.path.join(TARGET_DIR, "cursor_new.AppImage")
download_file(download_url, new_path, headers={"User-Agent":"Mozilla/5.0"})

new_hash = calculate_file_hash(new_path)
if new_hash == current_hash:
    print("Already up to date.")
    os.remove(new_path)
    sys.exit(0)

print("Installing new version…")
os.chmod(new_path, 0o755)
if os.path.isfile(current_path):
    os.remove(current_path)
os.rename(new_path, current_path)

icon_path = os.path.join(TARGET_DIR, ICON_NAME)
try:
    download_file(ICON_URL, icon_path)
    print("Icon saved to", icon_path)
except Exception:
    print("Icon download failed, continuing…")

desktop_contents = f"""[Desktop Entry]
Name=Cursor AI IDE
Exec={current_path} --no-sandbox
Icon={icon_path}
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Development;Utility;
Comment=AI‑powered code editor
"""
with open(DESKTOP_FILE, "w") as f:
    f.write(desktop_contents)
os.chmod(DESKTOP_FILE, 0o644)

print("Cursor installation/update complete.")

update_cursor_linux.sh

#!/usr/bin/env bash
set -euo pipefail

# Configuration
API_URL="https://www.cursor.com/api/download?platform=linux-x64&releaseTrack=stable"
ICON_URL="https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/126759922?v=4"
TARGET_DIR="/opt/cursor"
APPIMAGE_NAME="cursor.AppImage"
NEW_APPIMAGE_NAME="cursor_new.AppImage"
ICON_NAME="cursor.jpg"
ICON_PATH="$TARGET_DIR/$ICON_NAME"
DESKTOP_FILE="/usr/share/applications/cursor.desktop"
DESKTOP_SYMLINK="$TARGET_DIR/cursor.desktop"

# Ensure target directory exists
sudo mkdir -p "$TARGET_DIR"

# Paths
CURRENT_PATH="$TARGET_DIR/$APPIMAGE_NAME"
NEW_PATH="$TARGET_DIR/$NEW_APPIMAGE_NAME"

# Calculate hash if file exists
if [[ -f "$CURRENT_PATH" ]]; then
    echo "Checking for Cursor updates..."
    CURRENT_HASH=$(sha256sum "$CURRENT_PATH" | awk '{print $1}')
else
    echo "Installing Cursor for the first time..."
    CURRENT_HASH=""
fi

# Fetch download URL from API
echo "Fetching latest download URL..."
DOWNLOAD_URL=$(curl -fsSL "$API_URL" | jq -r '.downloadUrl')
if [[ -z "$DOWNLOAD_URL" || "$DOWNLOAD_URL" == "null" ]]; then
    echo "Failed to get download URL from API response." >&2
    exit 1
fi
echo "Download URL: $DOWNLOAD_URL"

# Download new AppImage
echo "Downloading Cursor AppImage..."
curl -L --progress-bar "$DOWNLOAD_URL" -o "$NEW_PATH"

# Calculate new hash
NEW_HASH=$(sha256sum "$NEW_PATH" | awk '{print $1}')

# Compare hashes
if [[ "$CURRENT_HASH" == "$NEW_HASH" ]]; then
    echo "You are already using the latest version. No update necessary."
    rm -f "$NEW_PATH"
    exit 0
fi

# Install new version
echo "Updating Cursor..."
sudo chmod +x "$NEW_PATH"
if [[ -f "$CURRENT_PATH" ]]; then
    sudo rm -f "$CURRENT_PATH"
fi
sudo mv "$NEW_PATH" "$CURRENT_PATH"

# Download and install icon
echo "Downloading icon..."
if curl -fsSL "$ICON_URL" -o "/tmp/$ICON_NAME"; then
    sudo mv "/tmp/$ICON_NAME" "$ICON_PATH"
    echo "Icon saved to $ICON_PATH"
else
    echo "Failed to download icon; continuing without updating icon."
fi

# Create or update .desktop file
echo "Creating .desktop entry..."
sudo tee "$DESKTOP_FILE" > /dev/null <<EOF
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Cursor AI IDE
Exec=$CURRENT_PATH --no-sandbox
Icon=$ICON_PATH
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Development;Utility;
Comment=AI‑powered code editor
EOF
sudo chmod 644 "$DESKTOP_FILE"

# Create symlink to .desktop in target dir
if [[ -L "$DESKTOP_SYMLINK" || -e "$DESKTOP_SYMLINK" ]]; then
    sudo rm -f "$DESKTOP_SYMLINK"
fi
sudo ln -s "$DESKTOP_FILE" "$DESKTOP_SYMLINK"

echo "Cursor installation/update complete."

https://downloader.cursor.sh/linux/appImage/x64 is not working anymore
Use this script instead

#!/bin/bash

installCursor() {
    local DOWNLOAD_API_URL="https://www.cursor.com/api/download?platform=linux-x64&releaseTrack=stable"
    local ICON_URL="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:700/1*YLg8VpqXaTyRHJoStnMuog.png"
    local APPIMAGE_PATH="/opt/cursor.appimage"
    local ICON_PATH="/opt/cursor.png"
    local DESKTOP_ENTRY_PATH="/usr/share/applications/cursor.desktop"

    echo "Checking for existing Cursor installation..."

    # Detect the user's shell
    local SHELL_NAME=$(basename "$SHELL")
    local RC_FILE=""

    case "$SHELL_NAME" in
        bash)
            RC_FILE="$HOME/.bashrc"
            ;;
        zsh)
            RC_FILE="$HOME/.zshrc"
            ;;
        fish)
            RC_FILE="$HOME/.config/fish/config.fish"
            ;;
        *)
            echo "Unsupported shell: $SHELL_NAME"
            echo "Please manually add the alias to your shell configuration file."
            return 1
            ;;
    esac

    # Notify if updating an existing installation
    if [ -f "$APPIMAGE_PATH" ]; then
        echo "Cursor AI IDE is already installed. Updating existing installation..."
    else
        echo "Performing a fresh installation of Cursor AI IDE..."
    fi

    # Install required packages if not installed
    if ! command -v curl &> /dev/null; then
        echo "curl is not installed. Installing..."
        sudo apt-get update
        sudo apt-get install -y curl || { echo "Failed to install curl."; exit 1; }
    fi
    
    if ! command -v jq &> /dev/null; then
        echo "jq is not installed. Installing..."
        sudo apt-get update
        sudo apt-get install -y jq || { echo "Failed to install jq."; exit 1; }
    fi

    # Get download URL from API
    echo "Fetching download information from Cursor API..."
    local DOWNLOAD_INFO=$(curl -s "$DOWNLOAD_API_URL")
    if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
        echo "Failed to fetch download information from Cursor API."
        exit 1
    fi
    
    # Extract download URL from JSON response using jq
    local CURSOR_URL=$(echo "$DOWNLOAD_INFO" | jq -r '.downloadUrl')
    if [ -z "$CURSOR_URL" ] || [ "$CURSOR_URL" = "null" ]; then
        echo "Failed to extract download URL from API response."
        echo "API Response: $DOWNLOAD_INFO"
        exit 1
    fi
    
    echo "Download URL: $CURSOR_URL"

    # Download AppImage and Icon
    echo "Downloading Cursor AppImage..."
    curl -L "$CURSOR_URL" -o /tmp/cursor.appimage || { echo "Failed to download AppImage."; exit 1; }

    echo "Downloading Cursor icon..."
    curl -L "$ICON_URL" -o /tmp/cursor.png || { echo "Failed to download icon."; exit 1; }

    # Move to final destination
    echo "Installing Cursor files..."
    sudo mv /tmp/cursor.appimage "$APPIMAGE_PATH"
    sudo chmod +x "$APPIMAGE_PATH"
    sudo mv /tmp/cursor.png "$ICON_PATH"

    # Create a .desktop entry
    echo "Creating .desktop entry..."
    sudo bash -c "cat > $DESKTOP_ENTRY_PATH" <<EOL
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Cursor AI IDE
Exec=$APPIMAGE_PATH --no-sandbox
Icon=$ICON_PATH
Type=Application
Categories=Development;
EOL

    # Add alias to the appropriate RC file
    echo "Adding cursor alias to $RC_FILE..."
    if [ "$SHELL_NAME" = "fish" ]; then
        # Fish shell uses a different syntax for functions
        if ! grep -q "function cursor" "$RC_FILE"; then
            echo "function cursor" >> "$RC_FILE"
            echo "    /opt/cursor.appimage --no-sandbox \$argv > /dev/null 2>&1 & disown" >> "$RC_FILE"
            echo "end" >> "$RC_FILE"
        else
            echo "Alias already exists in $RC_FILE."
        fi
    else
        if ! grep -q "function cursor" "$RC_FILE"; then
            cat >> "$RC_FILE" <<EOL
# Cursor alias
function cursor() {
    /opt/cursor.appimage --no-sandbox "\${@}" > /dev/null 2>&1 & disown
}
EOL
        else
            echo "Alias already exists in $RC_FILE."
        fi
    fi

    # Inform the user to reload the shell
    echo "To apply changes, please restart your terminal or run the following command:"
    echo "    source $RC_FILE"

    echo "Cursor AI IDE installation or update complete. You can find it in your application menu."
}

installCursor

downloader.cursor.sh/linux/appImage/x64 is not working anymore Use this script instead

#!/bin/bash

installCursor() {
    local DOWNLOAD_API_URL="https://www.cursor.com/api/download?platform=linux-x64&releaseTrack=stable"
    local ICON_URL="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:700/1*YLg8VpqXaTyRHJoStnMuog.png"
    local APPIMAGE_PATH="/opt/cursor.appimage"
    local ICON_PATH="/opt/cursor.png"
    local DESKTOP_ENTRY_PATH="/usr/share/applications/cursor.desktop"

    echo "Checking for existing Cursor installation..."

    # Detect the user's shell
    local SHELL_NAME=$(basename "$SHELL")
    local RC_FILE=""

    case "$SHELL_NAME" in
        bash)
            RC_FILE="$HOME/.bashrc"
            ;;
        zsh)
            RC_FILE="$HOME/.zshrc"
            ;;
        fish)
            RC_FILE="$HOME/.config/fish/config.fish"
            ;;
        *)
            echo "Unsupported shell: $SHELL_NAME"
            echo "Please manually add the alias to your shell configuration file."
            return 1
            ;;
    esac

    # Notify if updating an existing installation
    if [ -f "$APPIMAGE_PATH" ]; then
        echo "Cursor AI IDE is already installed. Updating existing installation..."
    else
        echo "Performing a fresh installation of Cursor AI IDE..."
    fi

    # Install required packages if not installed
    if ! command -v curl &> /dev/null; then
        echo "curl is not installed. Installing..."
        sudo apt-get update
        sudo apt-get install -y curl || { echo "Failed to install curl."; exit 1; }
    fi
    
    if ! command -v jq &> /dev/null; then
        echo "jq is not installed. Installing..."
        sudo apt-get update
        sudo apt-get install -y jq || { echo "Failed to install jq."; exit 1; }
    fi

    # Get download URL from API
    echo "Fetching download information from Cursor API..."
    local DOWNLOAD_INFO=$(curl -s "$DOWNLOAD_API_URL")
    if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
        echo "Failed to fetch download information from Cursor API."
        exit 1
    fi
    
    # Extract download URL from JSON response using jq
    local CURSOR_URL=$(echo "$DOWNLOAD_INFO" | jq -r '.downloadUrl')
    if [ -z "$CURSOR_URL" ] || [ "$CURSOR_URL" = "null" ]; then
        echo "Failed to extract download URL from API response."
        echo "API Response: $DOWNLOAD_INFO"
        exit 1
    fi
    
    echo "Download URL: $CURSOR_URL"

    # Download AppImage and Icon
    echo "Downloading Cursor AppImage..."
    curl -L "$CURSOR_URL" -o /tmp/cursor.appimage || { echo "Failed to download AppImage."; exit 1; }

    echo "Downloading Cursor icon..."
    curl -L "$ICON_URL" -o /tmp/cursor.png || { echo "Failed to download icon."; exit 1; }

    # Move to final destination
    echo "Installing Cursor files..."
    sudo mv /tmp/cursor.appimage "$APPIMAGE_PATH"
    sudo chmod +x "$APPIMAGE_PATH"
    sudo mv /tmp/cursor.png "$ICON_PATH"

    # Create a .desktop entry
    echo "Creating .desktop entry..."
    sudo bash -c "cat > $DESKTOP_ENTRY_PATH" <<EOL
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Cursor AI IDE
Exec=$APPIMAGE_PATH --no-sandbox
Icon=$ICON_PATH
Type=Application
Categories=Development;
EOL

    # Add alias to the appropriate RC file
    echo "Adding cursor alias to $RC_FILE..."
    if [ "$SHELL_NAME" = "fish" ]; then
        # Fish shell uses a different syntax for functions
        if ! grep -q "function cursor" "$RC_FILE"; then
            echo "function cursor" >> "$RC_FILE"
            echo "    /opt/cursor.appimage --no-sandbox \$argv > /dev/null 2>&1 & disown" >> "$RC_FILE"
            echo "end" >> "$RC_FILE"
        else
            echo "Alias already exists in $RC_FILE."
        fi
    else
        if ! grep -q "function cursor" "$RC_FILE"; then
            cat >> "$RC_FILE" <<EOL
# Cursor alias
function cursor() {
    /opt/cursor.appimage --no-sandbox "\${@}" > /dev/null 2>&1 & disown
}
EOL
        else
            echo "Alias already exists in $RC_FILE."
        fi
    fi

    # Inform the user to reload the shell
    echo "To apply changes, please restart your terminal or run the following command:"
    echo "    source $RC_FILE"

    echo "Cursor AI IDE installation or update complete. You can find it in your application menu."
}

installCursor

Thanks, I updated the script