How to Use MCP with Cursor AI?

AI is altering how we construct software program. Instruments like MCP(Mannequin Context Protocol) and Cursor AI are main this shift. Cursor AI helps you to write code utilizing pure language, whereas MCP provides sensible processing and automation on high. Collectively, they make growth quicker and simpler. With Cursor AI MCP servers, you possibly can hook up with exterior instruments for duties like reasoning or net search. The MCP with Cursor AI integration makes use of the Mannequin Context Protocol to energy this connection.

On this article, you’ll discover ways to join Cursor AI with MCP to unlock smarter, extra automated growth workflows. We’ll begin by breaking down what Cursor AI and the Mannequin Context Protocol really are, why they matter, and the way they work collectively. Then, we’ll information you thru the steps to put in each instruments and arrange your setting.

What’s Cursor AI?

Cursor AI is a contemporary AI-powered code editor that enables builders to focus extra on logic and design relatively than syntax. It accepts pure language directions and generates high-quality, context-aware code. Cursor additionally contains options like Pure language-based, codingAI-assisted, debuggingIntelligent documentation lookup and Integration with model management.

Easy methods to Set up Cursor AI?

Earlier than diving into vibe coding, you’ll want to put in Cursor AI. Right here’s a step-by-step information to get you began:

1. Obtain Cursor AI

Go to the official web site cursor.com and click on the Obtain button. The web site ought to mechanically detect your working system and supply the proper set up file.

2. Run the Installer

For Home windows and macOS:

Merely run the downloaded installer file and comply with the on-screen directions, simply as you’d with some other utility.

For Linux (Ubuntu): 

1. Obtain the AppImage file supplied for Linux. 
2. Open a terminal and transfer the AppImage to a everlasting location (e.g., the /choose listing) by operating:

sudo mv [name-of-file] /choose/cursor.appimage

3. Make the AppImage executable with:

chmod +x /choose/cursor.appimage

3. Launch Cursor AI

For Home windows and macOS:

After set up, launch Cursor AI from the desktop shortcut or your purposes menu.

For Linux (Ubuntu):

1. Create a desktop entry by opening a terminal and executing:

sudo nano /usr/share/purposes/cursor.desktop

2. Insert the next content material into the file:

[Desktop Entry]
Identify=Cursor
Exec=/choose/cursor.appimage
Icon=/choose/cursor.png
Sort=Software
Classes=Improvement;

3. Save the file (press Ctrl+X, then Y, then Enter).
4. (Elective) To set an utility icon, Place a PNG picture named cursor.png within the /choose listing. You may have to log off and log again in for the adjustments to take impact.

4. Preliminary Setup and Configuration

On the primary launch, you’ll be prompted to configure important settings corresponding to keyboard shortcuts, the language for AI interactions, and whether or not to allow codebase-wide indexing.

It’s also possible to select to put in further instructions that allow you to launch Cursor AI immediately from the terminal.

5. Import VS Code Settings (Elective)

For those who use Visible Studio Code, it’s possible you’ll be prompted to import your VS Code settings. This step imports your extensions, themes, person settings, and keyboard shortcuts to offer a well-known growth setting.

6. Signal Up / Login

Create an account utilizing your e mail, Google, or GitHub credentials. Upon registration, new customers typically obtain a free trial of Cursor Professional.

You may seek advice from this weblog for extra data on Cursor AI.

What’s MCP?

Mannequin Code Processing (MCP) is a modular backend that leverages pre-trained AI fashions for code understanding, technology, and transformation. It’s designed to automate repetitive duties, refactor giant codebases, and combine sensible mannequin workflows into growth environments.

When used alongside Cursor AI, MCP acts as a backend intelligence layer, enhancing the event expertise.

For extra data on MCP, refer to those articles: 

1. What’s MCP
2. Easy methods to use MCP

Now that Cursor AI is within the earlier step. We will begin integrating MCP.

Setting-up MCP Servers in Cursor AI

Cursor AI means that you can lengthen its performance utilizing MCP (Modular Command Protocol) servers. On this information, we’ll stroll by organising two completely different MCP servers:

1. Sequential Pondering MCP – for structured, reflective problem-solving
2. DuckDuckGo Internet Search MCP – for real-time net knowledge and search capabilities.

Sequential Pondering MCP Server Setup

This server helps you break down advanced duties right into a structured, step-by-step course of, excellent for planning, technique, or modular growth workflows.

Step 1: Generate a Smithery API Key

To attach any MCP server hosted on Smithery AI, you want an API key:

1. Go to Smithery AI and log in.
2. Navigate to your Dashboard and discover the API Key part.
3. Click on on Generate API Key.

 This key will permit Cursor AI to authenticate and join with the MCP server.

Step 2: Copy the Set up Command

Subsequent, seize the command wanted to attach Cursor AI to the server:

1. Open the Sequential Pondering MCP Server web page on Smithery.
2. Navigate to the Overview part.
3. Click on on the Cursor tab.
4. Copy the supplied set up command; we’ll use this so as to add the server in Cursor.

Step 3: Join the MCP Server in Cursor

Now let’s join it inside Cursor AI:

1. Open Cursor IDE and go to Settings.

2. Navigate to the MCP Servers part.

3. Click on on Create New MCP Server.
4. Enter a reputation like Sequential Pondering.
5. Paste the copied command from Smithery.
6. Click on Add to avoid wasting and join the server.

As soon as added, the server will seem in your listing of configured MCPs prepared for use in your prompts.

Step 4: Check the Server with a Immediate

Let’s run a check in Cursor that requires sequential reasoning. Sort the next immediate: “I need you to construct a sport and let’s do it utilizing sequential pondering don’t give me any code.”

As proven within the earlier video, once we run the immediate, the Sequential Pondering MCP server will get triggered and gives a transparent, considerate response confirming that all the pieces is working accurately.

DuckDuckGo Internet Search MCP Server Setup

After integrating the Sequential Pondering MCP server, we’re now transferring on to arrange the DuckDuckGo Internet Search MCP, a server that allows real-time net looking capabilities immediately from inside Cursor AI.

That is particularly useful while you’re engaged on prompts that want dwell knowledge, present information, or any web-based reference.

Step 1: Finding the DuckDuckGo MCP on Smithery

Similar to we did for the Sequential Pondering server, navigate to Smithery AI and comply with these fast steps:

1. Use the search bar or discover the listing of servers.
2. Choose DuckDuckGo Internet Search MCP.
3. As soon as on the server web page, swap to the Overview tab.
4. Open the Cursor part and replica the combination command.

Observe: For those who haven’t generated a Smithery API Key but, seek advice from the earlier steps the place we defined tips on how to generate and use it.

Step 2: Connecting DuckDuckGo Server to Cursor AI

Since we’ve already walked by tips on how to join an MCP server in Cursor IDE, comply with the identical circulate right here:

1. Open Cursor IDE Settings.
2. Go to the MCP Servers part.
3. Click on Create New MCP Server.
4. Identify it one thing like DuckDuckGo search.
5. Paste the command you simply copied.
6. Hit Add to finalize.

As soon as added, this server can be listed alongside Sequential Pondering. Each at the moment are prepared to be used.

Step 3: Check the Server with a Immediate

Let’s run a check in Cursor. Sort a immediate that requires the online search MCP server.

Instance: “Can you discover the highest three outcomes for LangChain vs LlamaIndex”

As proven within the earlier video, once we run the immediate, the DuckDuckGo MCP server is triggered and gives the service.

Cool Options to Attempt: 3D Modeling with MCP and Cursor

Past producing code and performing net searches, MCP can even step into the world of 3D modeling. With Cursor AI and Blender, you possibly can create and manipulate 3D scenes utilizing simply pure language. Think about typing, “Generate a 3D metropolis with neon lights” or “Scale the dice by 150% on the X-axis”, and watching Blender deliver your imaginative and prescient to life through Python scripts triggered behind the scenes. Setting it up is simple: configure the MCP server (e.g., utilizing uvx blender-mcp), set up the Blender add-on, and join it to Cursor AI. This opens up a fluid, AI-assisted design workflow excellent for fast prototyping, architectural visualization, sport environments, or simply experimenting with inventive 3D artwork with no tedious scripting required.

Conclusion

Utilizing MCP with Cursor AI makes coding not simply quicker however quite a bit smarter. Cursor AI helps you to write code utilizing plain English, and while you pair it with MCP servers, issues actually degree up. For instance, Sequential Pondering helps you break down advanced issues into clear, logical steps. DuckDuckGo helps you to search the online proper out of your editor without having to modify tabs or open a browser. You simply sort, construct, and see outcomes immediately. This integration between Cursor AI and MCP doesn’t simply streamline your workflow; it really adjustments the way you method coding. And the very best half? You may plug in different MCP servers primarily based on what you want. It’s an easy solution to deliver AI help into your on a regular basis growth.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions