Default Location: Editor Setting Not Working for Agent Sessions

[tcm5025 (Tristan Maschke)]

Describe the Bug

Summary

The “Default Location” setting in Cursor’s Agent settings (set to “Editor”) does not work. Agent sessions still open in the Agent Pane instead of editor tabs, despite the setting being configured correctly in the UI.

Environment

• OS: Windows 10 (Build 26200)
• Cursor Version: [Please fill in your version - Help > About]
• Settings Location: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Cursor\User\settings.json

Additional Issues

• The manual “Open in Editor” option (three-dot menu) also does not work
• This worked previously (user could manually move chats to editor pane), but no longer functions

Workaround

The Ctrl+L command (aichat.newchataction) does work to move agent sessions to editor tabs:

• Start agent session normally
• Press Ctrl+L
• Session moves to editor tab and continues working normally

This confirms the underlying functionality exists, but the default behavior and UI menu options are broken.

Settings Attempted

Tried multiple setting variations in settings.json (none work):

• cursor.agent.defaultLocation: "Editor"
• cursor.agent.location: "editor"
• cursor.chat.defaultLocation: "Editor"
• cursor.agent.openInEditorTab: true

Impact

• Users cannot set agent sessions to open in editor tabs by default
• Manual workaround required (Ctrl+L) for each session
• Degrades user experience and workflow efficiency

Related

• Similar issue reported: “Cursor: Open Chat” command not working (forum posts from 2024)
• This appears to be a regression or related bug affecting the same functionality

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open Cursor Settings (Ctrl+Shift+J or Cursor > Settings > Cursor Settings)
2. Navigate to Agents section
3. Set Default Location dropdown to “Editor”
4. Start a new agent session (via any method: Ctrl+I, Command Palette, etc.)
5. Observed: Agent session opens in the Agent Pane (right sidebar)
6. Expected: Agent session should open in an editor tab

Operating System

Windows 10/11

Version Information

Version: 2.4.21 (user setup)
VSCode Version: 1.105.1
Commit: dc8361355d709f306d5159635a677a571b277bc0
Date: 2026-01-22T16:57:59.675Z
Build Type: Stable
Release Track: Default
Electron: 39.2.7
Chromium: 142.0.7444.235
Node.js: 22.21.1
V8: 14.2.231.21-electron.0
OS: Windows_NT x64 10.0.26200

Does this stop you from using Cursor

No - Cursor works, but with this issue

[deanrie]

Hey, thanks for the report.

This is a known issue on Windows. The Default Location setting and the “Open in Editor” option aren’t working right now. The team is aware and is looking into it.

Good catch on the Ctrl+L workaround. For now, it’s the most reliable way to open agent sessions in editor tabs.

Another option, if needed: try dragging the chat tab from the panel directly into the editor area (drag and drop).

Let me know if you hit any critical issues with the current workaround.