Hey everyone,
Like many of you, I believe Cursor is an amazing tool that has recently lost its way with confusing pricing and a cluttered experience. The goal isn’t just to complain, but to offer a clear, actionable solution.
Here’s a simple, first-principles plan to fix the core problems, restore user trust, and make Cursor the undisputed best AI coding tool.
1. The Pricing Problem: It’s Unpredictable and Feels Unfair.
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Current Issue: “MAX mode” and compute-based limits are confusing. We’re constantly worried about how much a single question will cost, which makes us not want to use the tool.
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The “Back to Basics” Fix:
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Bring back a simple $20/month plan with a high number of requests (500-1000).
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Instead of complex modes, just have transparent request tiers.
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A simple chat = 1 request.
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A chat with lots of files/long context = 3-5 requests.
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Using an expensive model like Opus = costs more requests.
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Why it’s better: This puts us, the users, in control. A simple UI warning (“This message will use 3 requests. Send?”) lets us make smart choices. It removes all the anxiety and aligns our goals (saving requests) with Cursor’s goals (saving costs). It will also reduce cost since users will not send many requests that fail over and over, and instead use a good model once, then be naturally pushed to use the cheaper models to continue the conversation and preserve requests.
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2. The User Experience Problem: It’s Getting Complicated.
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Current Issue: Between “Auto mode,” “MAX mode,” and different model settings, the simple, intuitive feel of Cursor is gone.
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The “Back to Basics” Fix:
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Remove “MAX mode” and “Auto mode.” Let the transparent request cost (from point #1) guide our model choices naturally.
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Simplify the interface back to its roots: a clean chat, a clear model selector, and your code.
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Why it’s better: It reduces our cognitive load. We can focus on programming, not on figuring out how to use the tool. A great tool should be simple and get out of your way.
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3. The Trust Problem: The “Cursor Redemption Arc.”
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Current Issue: The community feels ignored, and the recent changes have damaged the brand’s reputation.
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The “Back to Basics” Fix:
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Launch a “Cursor 2.0” campaign. Be honest and open about the missteps. A humorous ad like, “Sorry, we used Cursor to code itself… it went badly, so we’re going back to basics,” would be perfect.
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Announce the new fair pricing and show verifiable proof of the improved AI performance.
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Why it’s better: Honesty and a commitment to user value will rebuild trust instantly. It creates a positive story that will bring back old users and attract new ones, securing Cursor’s future.
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This “Back to Basics” approach makes Cursor predictable, powerful, and a pleasure to use again. What do you all think?