Where does the bug appear (feature/product)?
Somewhere else…
Describe the Bug
I’m a non-developer using Cursor for a data/automation project (Python scripts, APIs, Supabase). I need the coding/agent ability but I don’t want to live in the code editor.
Problem: When Agent runs (edits files, shows diffs, explores the repo), the UI jumps away from chat so I often can’t read the assistant’s reply. Ask mode helps for Q&A but I still need Agent to run commands and apply changes.
What I want (product options):
Chat-first layout — conversation stays in front
Setting: “Never auto-focus editor when agent works”
Setting: “Report command/output results in chat only”
Optional “Review changes” button instead of auto-opening diffs
Clear Talk vs Do modes where Talk never touches the editor
Why it matters: Cursor works for coders who want the IDE front and center. For normal users who want an assistant that can code in the background, the current behavior is unusable.
I’d continue to pay for Cursor if this were configurable. Without it I’m looking at alternatives.
Steps to Reproduce
Environment
Windows 10/11
Cursor (recent build; include your version from Help → About)
Project: local folder open (e.g. Dropbox synced repo with Python/scripts)
Mode: Agent (not Ask)
Settings already tried (issue still happens)
workbench.editor.autoReveal: false
review.enableAutoOpen: false
explorer.autoReveal: false
Steps
Open Cursor with a project folder (any repo with files; a data/scripts project is enough).
Open Chat / Composer and set mode to Agent.
Maximize or widen the chat panel so you’re trying to read there (editor can be visible on the side).
Send a message that triggers file work, for example:
“Search the project for X and summarize,” or
“Run this script and tell me the result,” or
“Fix / update a file and apply.”
Stay on the chat panel and try to read the assistant’s reply while the agent is working (reading files, editing, running terminal).
Observe: the UI switches focus to the editor, a file tab, or a diff/review view while the agent runs—not only when you click a link.
Optional: repeat in Ask mode with a read-only question; note that focus stealing is less or absent. Repeat in Agent with a simple one-file edit; note focus stealing returns.
Expected Behavior
Expected
Chat stays in front while the agent works in the background.
Results and summaries appear in chat.
Editor/diffs open only if the user chooses (e.g. “Review changes” or “Open file”).
Actual
Chat loses focus; editor or another panel comes to the front.
User cannot read the in-progress reply without repeatedly switching back to chat.
Worse on tasks that edit multiple files or run long commands.
Frequency
Every Agent session that touches files or runs terminal (not occasional).
User impact
Non-coder / chat-first workflow: product feels unusable for conversation + delegated work.
Operating System
Windows 10/11
Version Information
Version: 3.5.38 (user setup)
VSCode Version: 1.105.1
Commit: 009bb5a3600dd98fe1c1f25798f767f686e14750
Date: 2026-05-26T21:32:06.537Z
Layout: glass
Build Type: Stable
Release Track: Default
Electron: 39.8.1
Chromium: 142.0.7444.265
Node.js: 22.22.1
V8: 14.2.231.22-electron.0
OS: Windows_NT x64 10.0.26200
Does this stop you from using Cursor
Sometimes - I can sometimes use Cursor