Cursor adds side chats, conversation search, and redesigned pickers
TL;DR
Cursor adds side chats that run alongside main chats. It also adds local search of agent transcripts with Cmd+K and redesigned project and repo pickers.
What changed
Cursor added side chats that operate next to the main chat window. Basic Users and Developers can run local searches on agent transcripts with the Cmd+K shortcut. Vibe Builders gain access to updated project and repo pickers that streamline selection flows.
Why it matters
Developers maintain continuous coding sessions without losing thread context during multi-chat work. This setup supports specific use cases such as reviewing long agent transcripts in one place, similar to how VS Code extensions manage parallel views. Vibe Builders and Basic Users experience fewer interruptions when switching between projects.
What to watch for
Test the new side chats against the tabbed layout in VS Code with Copilot to see workflow differences. Open Cursor after the update and run Cmd+K on a recent agent transcript to confirm local search works as described.
Who this matters for
- Vibe Builders: Use the redesigned project and repo pickers to quickly switch contexts without breaking your flow.
Harsh’s take
Cursor continues to dominate the developer environment by polishing the micro-interactions that keep builders in flow. Adding side chats and local transcript search directly addresses the cognitive load of managing complex, multi-step agent prompts. It is a direct play to keep users inside their ecosystem instead of jumping back to browser-based LLM interfaces.
For teams building at speed, these UX refinements are more than just cosmetic updates. They reduce the friction of context switching during rapid prototyping. If you are still relying on stock VS Code with basic extensions, Cursor is widening the productivity gap with these workflow-centric features.
by Harsh Desai
About Cursor
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