I can no longer code without Cursor. I mean, I can, but I simply don't want to.

For the last 20+ years, I’ve been balls-deep in code. Front-end, back-end, full-stack - you name it, I’ve probably wrestled with it. From the wild-west days of Backbone and jQuery to the modern landscapes of Angular 1&2, React (next, native and create), Vue, Svelte, and even a sprinkling of Rust, I’ve built apps that would make even the most seasoned developer groan at their complexity. These weren’t just toy "Hello World" projects or half-assed Todo apps. I’m talking full-blown, overbuilt monstrosities packed with features no one asked for but some stakeholder insisted on.

I’ve paid my dues. I’ve struggled through Perl scripts that felt like a personal insult, wrestled with PHP spaghetti, and chased down bugs that made me question my life choices. And for the most part, I loved it - except when I didn’t.

But last month, I started paying for Cursor - and holy shit, it’s like I’ve stepped into a cheat code for coding.

Why Cursor Changed Everything

Cursor isn’t just another code editor. It’s not just a glorified VS Code Plugin. It’s a game-changer, a secret weapon, a damn lifesaver for someone like me who’s battled dyslexia, ADHD, and a million tabs of Stack Overflow open at once.

Here’s what Cursor has done for me:

1. I’m Not Afraid Anymore

For years, there were parts of coding that intimidated the hell out of me. Not because I didn’t know how to learn them, but because the learning curve felt like staring up at Everest. Writing complex Rust tools? A pipe dream. Debugging some cryptic error that’s been staring me in the face for days? Pure hell.

But with Cursor, I’m not just "capable" - I’m fearless. It helps me break down problems, suggests solutions, and keeps me moving forward. There’s no more getting stuck in the weeds for days because my dyslexic brain couldn’t parse something obvious.

2. Bugs Don’t Stand a Chance

You know those bugs that make you want to throw your shit out the window? The ones where your code should work, but it doesn’t? And after hours of Googling, it turns out you missed a semicolon or used a single equals instead of a double? Yeah, those don’t stand a chance with Cursor.

It’s like having pair programmer who's WAY more observant than you. Cursor spots the shit I miss and even explains why it’s wrong. It’s like having an insanely smart buddy (albeit a bit socially awkward) who doesn’t judge you for stupid mistakes.

3. It Makes Me Faster

I’ve always prided myself on being a fast coder. But Cursor? Cursor makes me feel like I’m in goddamn super hero. Need to spin up a new feature? Done. Need to refactor a gnarly section of legacy code? No problem. Need to write unit tests (because, yes, I actually write those now)? Cursor’s got me covered.

It’s not just about speed, though. It’s about quality. I’m producing better code in less time because I’m not bogged down by minutiae or paralyzed by analysis paralysis. All this said, a non-coder would be fucked in this world. They'd never know how to get out of the loops, or help Cursor identify what's actually going on - which in some ways is even more frustrating than that phantom bug you've been hunting for months.

Superpowers for Developers

Let me be clear: tools like Cursor aren’t here to replace developers. If you’re worried about that, stop. Take a deep breath. These tools aren’t coming for your job - they’re giving you superpowers.

Think about what this means for the future:

• Creativity unlocked: We’ll be able to build things faster and better than ever before. That side project you’ve been dreaming about? It’s now a weekend project, not a year-long grind.
• Barriers obliterated: Complex languages like Rust or obscure frameworks won’t scare you anymore. The learning curve is still there, but you’ve got a jetpack strapped to your back.
• Collaboration elevated: Less time wasted on bullshit bugs means more time spent on innovation and problem-solving.

This isn’t about replacing devs; it’s about empowering us to do the work we’re passionate about without the tedious roadblocks.

The Reality Check

Let’s not sugarcoat it: if you’re a junior developer, these tools won’t make up for a lack of foundational knowledge. You still need to understand how code works, why design patterns matter, and how to think critically about solving problems. But once you’ve got those basics down, tools like Cursor are like giving a marathon runner a jetpack.

For those of us who’ve been in the game for years? It’s like seeing color for the first time.

My Prediction

The amount of stuff we’re going to be able to crank out in the next five years is going to be insane. Products that once took entire teams months to build will now take a single dev a few weeks. The landscape is shifting, and if you’re not using tools like Cursor, you’re going to get left behind.

But the best part? It’s not just about efficiency - it’s about joy. For the first time in a long time, I’m excited about coding again. Cursor has reminded me why I fell in love with this work in the first place.

So yeah, I can no longer code without Cursor - and honestly, I’m cool with that.

What about you? Have you tried Cursor or another AI-powered coding tool? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment or hit me up on BlueSky.