Detailed explanation of IDE-like tools
Gain a deep understanding of the core features of mainstream AI IDE tools, including Cursor, Windsurf, GitHub Copilot, and others, and learn advanced features such as the Skill system, Agent mode, and MCP configuration.
Cursor: the benchmark for AI-first IDEs
Cursor is an IDE designed for AI programming, integrating the Skill system, Agent mode, and MCP support, making it the preferred tool for enterprise AI development.
Skill system
Skill is a core feature of Cursor, allowing you to create reusable AI assistant capabilities.
- • Create Skill: Use Markdown format to define the Skill's capabilities and context
- • Skill library: Import ready-made Skills from the community or team Skill library
- • Meta-skills: An advanced Skill used to generate other Skills
- • Version control: Skills can be version-controlled like code
Agent mode
Agent mode enables AI to autonomously execute complex tasks, not just code completion.
- • Plan System: AI automatically creates an execution plan and completes tasks step by step
- • Multi-file editing: Agent can modify multiple related files at the same time
- • Context understanding: Understand the architecture and code relationships of the entire project
- • Autonomous decision-making: Automatically adjust according to code style and best practices
MCP configuration
Model Context Protocol (MCP) enables Cursor to connect to external services and data sources.
- • MCP Servers: Connect to file systems, GitHub, databases, etc.
- • Custom Server: Create your own MCP Server extension capabilities
- • Enterprise integration: Connect internal enterprise systems and knowledge bases
Windsurf: Fast Context technology
Windsurf uses Fast Context technology, enabling rapid understanding of large codebases and making it suitable for enterprise-level project development.
Fast Context
- • Quickly index large codebases
- • Intelligent code search
- • Context window optimization
- • Reduce token consumption
Cascade Agent
- • Multi-Agent collaboration
- • Task decomposition and execution
- • Codebase analysis
- • Architecture understanding
Large codebase analysis
Windsurf is especially suitable for analyzing large Monorepo projects:
- • Automatically detect project structure
- • Understand module dependencies
- • Cross-file code refactoring
- • Architecture document generation
GitHub Copilot: The art of code completion
GitHub Copilot is one of the earliest AI programming assistants, focusing on code completion and rapid development.
Code completion tips
- • Comment-driven: describe requirements through comments, and Copilot automatically generates code
- • Context awareness: Copilot understands the code style and patterns of the current file
- • Multiline completion: complete an entire function or code block at once
- • Accept with Tab：Use the Tab key to quickly accept suggestions
Related file context
- • Automatically identify: Copilot automatically identifies relevant imports and dependencies
- • Project Understanding: Understand the code structure and patterns of the entire project
- • Type inference: infer types and interfaces based on context
Team collaboration
- • Enterprise edition: Supports team management and usage statistics
- • Code review: Code generated by Copilot can be incorporated into the code review process
- • Best practices: Teams can share Copilot best practices
Kiro & Antigravity: emerging IDE tools
Kiro and Antigravity are emerging AI IDE tools that offer unique configuration and usage methods.
Kiro in Practice
- • Steering Files: configuration file-driven AI behavior
- • Claude Opus 4.5: Use Claude Opus 4.5 for free
- • CLI integration: Seamless collaboration between CLI and IDE
- • Workflow optimization: Improve efficiency with custom workflows
Antigravity in Practice
- • Google Agentic Coding: Google's agentic programming environment
- • Hybrid invocation: Use Claude Opus 4.5 + Gemini together
- • Task view: Visual task management
- • Artifacts: Management of code-generated artifacts
Comparison with other IDE tools
Learn about the AI enhancement capabilities of other mainstream IDE tools.
Zed
High-performance editor with AI completion support
Devin
AI software engineer, autonomous programming capability
LazyVim + AI
Neovim configuration, integrated AI plugins
Neovim + Copilot
Traditional editor + AI completion
Tool selection recommendations
- • Enterprise-level project: Cursor, Windsurf (fully featured, enterprise support)
- • Rapid prototyping: GitHub Copilot (easy to use, quick to get started)
- • Vim users：LazyVim + AI、Neovim + Copilot
- • Performance first: Zed (extreme performance, AI-enhanced)
Learning outcomes
After completing this chapter, you will:
- 1Master the core features of mainstream IDE tools (Cursor, Windsurf, GitHub Copilot)
- 2Able to configure and use advanced features such as the Skill system, Agent mode, MCP, and more
- 3Understand the use cases for different tools and be able to choose the right IDE according to project requirements
- 4Master how to use emerging tools such as Kiro and Antigravity