When using Ask mode, and the model generates code, there only is the option to copy the code. Applying it to a script is not possible anymore.
Steps to Reproduce
Provide a script to the chat and ask any LLM to produce code (I used claude-4.5-sonnet) in Ask mode. Look for the option to apply the code. It’s missing.
Expected Behavior
Usually, you’d be able to apply the changes to your code.
Operating System
MacOS
Current Cursor Version (Menu → About Cursor → Copy)
Not the OP, but I noticed that if I use my custom Manual mode to generate responses, the code blocks are wrapped in backticks with the language:path/to/file convention, and the “Apply” button is not present (though there is a copy button). If I switch the mode to “Ask” in the followup chat box, then the previously generated block gets a new “Apply to ” button which works as I expect.
However if I ask the chat (in Ask mode) for a code suggestion then it wraps the code blocks only in backticks with just the language, not the filename. (EDIT: it’s inconsistent. sometimes it includes the file name, in which case Apply is present, and sometimes just the language, in which case Apply is not present.)
I’m on the same version as OP.
I’d love the “Apply” button to be present in other modes too, having it only in Ask mode breaks my workflow. I know it’s not the same issue as OP’s though. As a workaround I can temporarily switch to Ask mode just to click “Apply” but that’s super annoying.
I primarily use cursor in Ask mode. This allows me to have chats and read changes before I actually apply them to my code because often I need to iterate in a chat before a suggestion is quite right.
Up until recently when a suggestion would appear in the chat it would always have the apply button and that button when the code was actually applied only diffed the part of the file that needed to be changed. Now, when applying those changes it diffs the entire file in the chat which drastically increases the size of that window and also takes a long time on my slightly older machine. I have talked with the models about what tools are available to them and found that the language:filepath format consistently brings up the apply button, but the apply functionality still has significantly regressed.
This has been extremely disruptive to my workflow as doing all of this at once has caused my computer to lag. Especially when this was not an issue prior.
I am on the most recent version of cursor on Windows. Any direction and guidance would be helpful. I appreciate the attention.
Steps to Reproduce
Apply the code suggestion in the ask chat and the full version of the file will appear in the window.
Expected Behavior
Only the portion of the file that was diffed would show in the chat UI.
Operating System
Windows 10/11
Current Cursor Version (Menu → About Cursor → Copy)
hey folks, to test whether it’s a Cursor code issue vs system prompt issue, click the “Copy message” button to copy the raw markdown for the chat message where the apply button is missing. if the code block is missing a file name, like:
```python
this code doesn't have a file name or an apply button
```
then it’s a system prompt issue, maybe you used a different mode earlier which had different instructions and then chat mode omitted the file name. if the code block (without the apply button) does have a file name:
```python:correct/path/to/file.py
this code has a correct file name but no apply button
```
then it’s more likely to be a cursor bug.
For me, when my apply button was missing in Ask mode, it was the first issue (no file name; some issue with system prompt).
unfortunately I’ve found that Cursor has disabled “Apply” for every mode other than Ask. if you’re willing to hack around in the Cursor internals, the following worked for me (but at your own risk): find the file workbench.desktop.main.js in Cursor resources (I’m on macos, for me it’s in /Applications/Cursor.app/Contents/Resources/app/out/vs/workbench/workbench.desktop.main.js) and find/replace h()?.id!==“chat” with false. (Should be three occurrences.) SUPER hacky at-your-own-risk. Cursor forum mods, please let me know if this is out of line.
As of two days ago I am fairly confident it was working on occasion in my custom mode. You’re right now though as of this morning it seems to no longer work.
That is a good workaround to be aware of. I am worried that this is being caused by intentional design choices and that is rather frustrating. I like using the ask window because I can compare the dif and read it before it asks me to apply it in the file. This tends to work a lot better since it only shows the snippets that are changing rather than me having to scroll the entire file again.
My biggest issue remains though. The codeblock apply button diffs the whole file causing significant lag when files are sufficiently large. Here is an example of it happening for a 3 line change.
Latest Cursor update does not show ‘apply’ most of the time, which force me to read and copy segments of code manually, this contradicts the whole point of AI IDE, and yes I’m using ‘Ask’ mode and not ‘Agent’ on purpose cause I still don’t trust it enough.
I’m on Pro plan and this feature used to work flawlessly in the past, I also have a general rule to inform the AI to show ‘Apply’ button in case its being generated by the model.
PS: this happens with all models.
Steps to Reproduce
start a new chat, reference the files needed in context, submit
Expected Behavior
‘Apply’, ‘Copy’ buttons both need to be present and the ide should apply a diff operation to my code.
Operating System
Windows 10/11
MacOS
Linux
Current Cursor Version (Menu → About Cursor → Copy)
it should be basic functionality since it worked before but it has been like this for the past 2 months and it hasnt been fixed i hope someone can enlighten us about the situation
hey folks I’m not on the cursor team or anything but see my message earlier about codeblocks including vs not including the file name. “copy message” then check for the filename at the top of the codeblock. include that in your report here because it’ll help the team debug whether it’s a Cursor app issue vs prompt/model issue.
I have reverted to the last stable version of 1.6 and now to 1.5.11. It seems like the apply button was diffing successfully after version 1.5.11 and before the last 1.6.
I might stay on this version if there is no progress as this feature is my most used in Cursor. I have been trying other workflows recently, but this one by far is the most impactful for me.
I did add this user rule to have it show up “Format all code blocks as language:filepath to enable the Apply button (e.g., tsx:src/App.tsx).” This pretty consistently lets Claude and the other tools able to access the apply button but they are constantly telling me “In apply I can’t make changes directly”.. Well duh
I mostly want to know if this is on the roadmap at all. I am willing to wait for it if there are other team priorities, but it ■■■■■ to feel abandoned after using it for so long
