Skip to main content

How to Add DeepSeek Models to Cursor

DeepSeek models offer powerful AI capabilities for code completion and generation. This guide will show you how to integrate DeepSeek models into your Cursor editor for enhanced development experience.

Prerequisites​

Before you begin, make sure you have:

  • A Cursor editor installation (version 0.45 or later)
  • A DeepSeek account with API access
  • API credits in your DeepSeek account

Available Models​

Cursor supports several DeepSeek models:

  • DeepSeek Chat: General-purpose chat model
  • DeepSeek Coder: Specialized for code generation
  • DeepSeek R1: Advanced reasoning model
  • DeepSeek V3: Latest version with improved performance

Step-by-Step Configuration​

1. Get Your DeepSeek API Key​

  1. Sign up on the DeepSeek website
  2. Top up your balance (required before API usage)
  3. Generate your API key from the dashboard

2. Configure Cursor Settings​

  1. Open Cursor Settings
  2. Navigate to the Models section
  3. Add a new model configuration:
    • Model Name: deepseek-chat or deepseek-coder
    • API Key: Your DeepSeek API key
    • Enable "Override OpenAI Base URL"
    • Set Base URL to: https://api.deepseek.com/v1

Usage Tips​

  • You can use DeepSeek models for both chat and code completion
  • The models are compatible with Cursor's standard features
  • Response speed varies by model:
    • DeepSeek V3: ~60 tokens/second (3x faster than V2)
    • Other models: Performance varies by complexity

Troubleshooting​

Common issues and solutions:

Invalid Model ID Error​

If you see: "error":{"message":"deepseek-chat is not a valid model ID","code":400}

  • Verify the model name is correct
  • Check if the model is available in your region
  • Ensure your API key has access to the requested model

API Connection Issues​

  • Verify your API key is correct
  • Check your internet connection
  • Ensure the base URL is correctly formatted

Limitations​

  • Composer currently doesn't support external models
  • DeepThink function is not available via API
  • Some advanced features may require a Pro subscription

Cost Considerations​

DeepSeek models can be more cost-effective than alternatives:

  • Pay-as-you-go pricing
  • Lower per-token costs
  • No mandatory subscription fees
  • Settings Guide
  • AI Models
  • Model Configuration

Conclusion​

DeepSeek models provide a powerful alternative for AI-assisted coding in Cursor. By following this guide, you can enhance your development workflow while potentially reducing costs.

  • Cursor vs Other AI Code Editors
  • Advanced Model Configuration
  • Optimizing AI Performance