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Installing VSIX Extensions in Cursor After Marketplace Changes

Cursor VSIX Extensions

Microsoft recently removed the direct VSIX download option from the VS Code Marketplace website. This change affects Cursor users who need to install extensions manually. This guide shows you the current workarounds to get any VS Code extension into Cursor.

Why Install VSIX Files?​

You might need manual VSIX installation when:

  • An extension isn't available in Cursor's built-in marketplace
  • You need a specific version of an extension
  • You're working offline or behind a corporate firewall
  • An extension was removed from the marketplace
  • You want to install a pre-release or beta version

The easiest way to get VSIX files is through VS Code itself.

Step 1: Install VS Code (if not already installed)​

Download from code.visualstudio.com

Step 2: Download the Extension​

  1. Open VS Code
  2. Go to Extensions view (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + X)
  3. Search for the extension you need
  4. Click the gear icon (⚙️) next to the extension
  5. Select "Download VSIX"

VS Code Download VSIX

Step 3: Install in Cursor​

  1. Open Cursor
  2. Go to Extensions view (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + X)
  3. Click the ... menu (More Actions)
  4. Select "Install from VSIX"
  5. Choose the downloaded .vsix file
  6. Restart Cursor if prompted

Method 2: Using the Command Line​

For power users, use the command line to download and install.

Download via VS Code CLI​

# List available versions
vscode --list-extensions --show-versions

# Download specific extension
# (Use VS Code GUI method above for reliable downloads)

Install via Cursor CLI​

# Open Cursor from terminal
cursor --install-extension /path/to/extension.vsix

# Or using the full path
"/Applications/Cursor.app/Contents/MacOS/Cursor" --install-extension extension.vsix

Method 3: Direct Marketplace API (Advanced)​

For automated downloads, use the VS Code Marketplace API directly.

Using curl​

# Get extension details
EXTENSION="publisher.extension-name"
curl -s "https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/_apis/public/gallery/publishers/${EXTENSION%%.*}/vsextensions/${EXTENSION#*.}/latest/vspackage" \
  -H "Accept: application/json;api-version=7.2-preview.1" \
  -o extension.vsix

Using PowerShell​

$Publisher = "esbenp"
$Name = "prettier-vscode"
$Url = "https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/_apis/public/gallery/publishers/$Publisher/vsextensions/$Name/latest/vspackage"
Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $Url -OutFile "$Name.vsix"

Using Python Script​

import requests

def download_vsix(publisher, name, version="latest"):
    url = f"https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/_apis/public/gallery/publishers/{publisher}/vsextensions/{name}/{version}/vspackage"
    response = requests.get(url)
    if response.status_code == 200:
        with open(f"{name}.vsix", "wb") as f:
            f.write(response.content)
        print(f"Downloaded {name}.vsix")
    else:
        print(f"Failed: {response.status_code}")

download_vsix("esbenp", "prettier-vscode")

Method 4: From Open VSX Registry​

Open VSX is an open-source alternative to the VS Code Marketplace.

Website Download​

  1. Visit open-vsx.org
  2. Search for your extension
  3. Click "Download"
  4. Install the VSIX in Cursor

Using the Open VSX CLI​

# Install ovsx
npm install -g ovsx

# Search for extensions
ovsx search prettier

# Download (if supported by the registry)
# Most extensions need manual download from the website

Method 5: Building from Source​

For open-source extensions, build the VSIX yourself.

Clone and Build​

# Clone the extension repository
git clone https://github.com/publisher/extension-name.git
cd extension-name

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Build the extension
npm run compile

# Package as VSIX
npx vsce package

# The .vsix file will be in the current directory

Install in Cursor​

cursor --install-extension ./extension-name-1.0.0.vsix
ExtensionPublisherAlternative Source
PrettieresbenpOpen VSX, VS Code GUI
ESLintMicrosoftVS Code GUI only
GitLenseamodioOpen VSX, VS Code GUI
DockerMicrosoftVS Code GUI only
PythonMicrosoftVS Code GUI only
Live ShareMicrosoftVS Code GUI only

Troubleshooting Installation Issues​

"Corrupt ZIP" Error​

Cause: Incomplete download

Fix:

# Verify the VSIX file
unzip -t extension.vsix

# Re-download if corrupted

"Extension Not Compatible" Error​

Cause: Version mismatch between VS Code and Cursor

Fix:

  1. Check Cursor's VS Code version in Help > About
  2. Download a compatible extension version
  3. Or modify the engines.vscode field in the VSIX

Extensions Not Showing in Cursor​

Fix:

# List installed extensions
cursor --list-extensions

# Check for errors
cursor --verbose --install-extension extension.vsix

Best Practices​

Version Management​

Keep track of your VSIX files:

extensions/
  prettier-vscode-10.1.0.vsix
  eslint-2.4.4.vsix
  gitlens-14.4.1.vsix

Automated Setup​

Create a setup script for new machines:

#!/bin/bash
# setup-cursor-extensions.sh

EXTENSIONS=(
  "./extensions/prettier-vscode.vsix"
  "./extensions/eslint.vsix"
  "./extensions/gitlens.vsix"
)

for ext in "${EXTENSIONS[@]}"; do
  if [ -f "$ext" ]; then
    cursor --install-extension "$ext"
  else
    echo "Missing: $ext"
  fi
done

Backup Strategy​

Regularly export your extension list:

# Save installed extensions
cursor --list-extensions > extensions.txt

# Later, reinstall
cat extensions.txt | xargs -L1 cursor --install-extension

Quick Reference​

TaskCommand
Install VSIXcursor --install-extension file.vsix
List extensionscursor --list-extensions
Uninstall extensioncursor --uninstall-extension publisher.name
Disable extensioncursor --disable-extension publisher.name
Enable extensioncursor --enable-extension publisher.name