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How to Configure GitHub Copilot in Cursor: A Complete Guide

GitHub Copilot and Cursor's built-in AI (Claude) are powerful coding assistants that can significantly improve your development workflow. This guide explains how to configure and use GitHub Copilot in Cursor, and how to switch between different AI assistants.

Initial Setup​

When you first install Cursor, you'll be presented with a choice between:

  • Cursor's default AI (Claude)
  • GitHub Copilot

If you didn't choose Copilot during initial setup, you can still configure it later.

Configuring GitHub Copilot​

Prerequisites​

  1. Active GitHub Copilot subscription
  2. GitHub account logged in
  3. Cursor IDE installed

Installation Steps​

  1. Open Cursor IDE
  2. Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (macOS)
  3. Type "GitHub Copilot" in the command palette
  4. Select "GitHub Copilot: Sign In"
  5. Follow the authentication process

Using GitHub Copilot with Cursor​

Best Practices​

  1. Avoid Conflicts

    • Disable Cursor's autocomplete when using Copilot
    • Don't enable both AI assistants simultaneously

  2. Version Compatibility

    • Cursor runs on VSCode version 1.93
    • Some newer Copilot features may require latest VSCode
    • Check version compatibility before enabling features

Known Limitations​

  1. Feature Availability

    • Copilot Chat may not be fully supported
    • Some newer Copilot features might be unavailable
    • VSCode-specific Copilot features may work differently

  2. Integration Constraints

    • Cannot use Copilot account for Cursor AI features
    • Separate subscriptions needed for both services

Switching Between AI Assistants​

From Claude to Copilot​

  1. Open Cursor Settings
  2. Navigate to AI Assistant section
  3. Select GitHub Copilot
  4. Restart Cursor if prompted

From Copilot to Claude​

  1. Open Cursor Settings
  2. Navigate to AI Assistant section
  3. Select Claude
  4. Restart Cursor if prompted

Troubleshooting​

Common Issues​

  1. Copilot Not Responding

    • Check GitHub authentication
    • Verify subscription status
    • Restart Cursor

  2. Conflicts with Claude

    • Ensure only one AI assistant is active
    • Clear AI cache if needed
    • Reset settings if problems persist

  3. Authentication Issues

    • Re-login to GitHub
    • Check network connection
    • Verify firewall settings

Tips for Optimal Use​

  1. Choose the Right Tool

    • Use Copilot for code completion
    • Use Claude for complex queries
    • Combine both for maximum productivity

  2. Performance Optimization

    • Disable unused features
    • Monitor resource usage
    • Keep both tools updated

Conclusion​

While Cursor and GitHub Copilot can work together, they are separate services with different capabilities. Choose the one that best fits your needs, or use them complementarily for different tasks.

For additional support:

Last updated: February 2025 - This guide covers Cursor version 0.43 and GitHub Copilot's latest version.