Workaround for installing Claude Code extension in Cursor IDE when the official documentation method fails. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to manually install the extension using the VSIX file from the local Claude Code installation, addressing the issue where Claude Code doesn't automatically detect Cursor as a compatible IDE.

Installing_Claude_Code_Ext_in_Cursor.md

Warning

This was created around 2025-05-20, so the information may be out of date. Please refer to the official documentation first. Claude Code IDE integrations (Official Docs)

Installing Claude Code Extension in Cursor IDE

Since the official documentation method doesn't work for Cursor IDE, here's a working solution.

Note: This workaround likely works for other Visual Studio Code forks (including popular forks like Cursor and Windsurf) that support VSIX extensions but aren't automatically detected by Claude Code.

Prerequisites

• Claude Code must be installed locally on your system
• Cursor IDE must be installed

Step 1: Verify Claude Code Installation

First, confirm that Claude Code is installed locally and find its installation path.

Where to run: Your system's terminal/command prompt

claude

Expected result: Claude Code interactive session starts

Next, check the installation location:

Where to run: Inside the Claude Code session (after running claude)

/doctor

Expected result: You should see output similar to:

You are running Claude Code from your local installation (~/.claude/local).

This confirms Claude Code is installed at ~/.claude/local

Step 2: Install Extension to Cursor

Now install the Claude Code extension manually using the VSIX file from your local installation.

Where to run: Your system's terminal/command prompt (exit Claude Code first if still in session)

cursor --install-extension ~/.claude/local/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/vendor/claude-code.vsix

Expected result:

• Terminal output: "Extension 'claude-code.vsix' was successfully installed."
• The Claude Code extension will now be available in Cursor IDE

Step 3: Verify Installation

1. Open Cursor IDE
2. Check the Extensions panel (View → Extensions)
3. You should see "Claude Code" in your installed extensions list

Step 4: Confirm IDE Detection

Run Claude Code again to verify it now detects Cursor:

Where to run: Your system's terminal/command prompt

claude

Then run: Inside the Claude Code session

/ide

Expected result: You should now see Cursor as an available IDE option:

╭─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
│                                                                                                                                                                                         │
│  Select IDE                                                                                                                                                                             │
│  Connect to an IDE for integrated development features.                                                                                                                                 │
│                                                                                                                                                                                         │
│     1. Cursor                                                                                                                                                                           │
│   ❯ 2. None✔                                                                                                                                                                            │
│                                                                                                                                                                                         │
╰─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
 Enter to confirm · Esc to exit

This confirms that Claude Code now successfully detects Cursor IDE!

Why This Workaround?

The official detection doesn't recognize Cursor as a compatible IDE, even though Cursor is VSCode-based and supports VSIX extensions.

References

• Claude Code IDE integrations (Official Docs)
• GitHub Issue: Claude Code doesn't detect that the IDE is cursor #1279

I encountered the same issue where Cursor IDE wasn’t recognized by Claude Code, despite successful installation attempts via CLI. None of the provided solutions fully resolved my issue. However, I discovered a straightforward workaround that resolved it:
1. Manually located the Claude Code extension .vsix file within my local Claude installation directory.
2. Dragged this .vsix file directly into the Cursor Extensions panel.

The extension installed successfully and immediately became operational within Cursor.

This approach bypassed the issues I encountered with automatic detection and CLI-based installation methods.

I hope this helps others experiencing similar issues!

the suggestion from @AojdevStudio worked for me. Thanks!

I can confirm this works. Some key things:

• If running /doctor shows a global installation, you must run /migrate-installer to reinstall locally
• The cursor --install-extensions command will install the extension to the default profile; append --profile "<profile_name>" to the end of that command to install the extension to a specific profile

this doesnt work for me. terminal says vsix installs but it actually hasnt. Im over cursor.

@john-savepoint drag & drop the vsix file directly into the extensions UI

Any suggestions for this ?

My cursor is running on Windows 11, my Claude code is running in a virtual Ubuntu environment (WLS).
I followed your instructions and managed to download the Claude code extension, but the actual installation failed, I guess because cursor is installed on Windows, not in Ubuntu. Any workaround for that?

This works. Thanks!

Same here. Looking to find a way to make CC detecting Cursor. I'm under Windows running CC in WSL

This is the final method that works.

• first step: install Claude code
• run: npm list -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
• Copy the Claude code extension to a folder u can easily access
• cp /use your path/.nvm/versions/node/v22.12.0/lib/node_modules/@anthropic-ai/claude-code/vendor/claude-code.vsix ~/Downloads/
• Open cursor and Ctrl+Shift+p
• Type: "Extensions: Install from VSIX...
• Locate the claude-code.vsix select it, and after installation, close and reopenthe cursor: open your terminal and enjoy using claude

Any suggestions for this ?

i'm hving the same issue, after successfully intalled the extension. anyone help?

Any suggestions for this ?

i'm hving the same issue, after successfully intalled the extension. anyone help?

https://kcpele.medium.com/how-to-install-claude-code-extension-in-cursor-the-complete-guide-8006dacba8fe

@fightbulc the tutorial didn't work for me, but drag&drop .vsix file to the extensions UI worked immediately - thanks!

@commons3nse yes, works all the time like a charm

It works