Linux `.deb` / `apt` installs get a non-actionable update popup before the package exists

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1

Where does the bug appear (feature/product)?

Cursor IDE

Describe the Bug

Cursor shows an update popup on startup before the new version is available in the apt repo.

I install updates through apt, so this popup is not actionable. It shows up repeatedly, is distracting, and interrupts startup even though there is nothing to do yet.

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Install Cursor on Linux using the official .deb, with the Cursor apt repository configured.
  2. Wait for Cursor to announce a new release.
  3. Open Cursor before that version is available in the apt repo.
  4. See the “update available” popup on startup.
  5. Run apt update and check apt-cache policy cursor; no newer package is available yet.
  6. Reopen Cursor and get the same popup again until the repo catches up.

Expected Behavior

Do not show this popup until the update is actually available through apt.

If that is not possible, add a setting to disable these update popups completely.

Operating System

Linux

Version Information

cursor --version
2.6.19
224838f96445be37e3db643a163a817c15b36060
x64

apt-cache policy cursor
Installed: 2.6.19-1773294744
Candidate: 2.6.19-1773294744

uname -a
Linux x86_64 6.17.0-108014-tuxedo

/etc/os-release
TUXEDO OS 24.04.4 LTS

Additional Information

There are already other tickets for this, but I am still seeing it on Linux:

Related closed threads that appear to describe the same or very similar issue:

Those threads are closed, but the issue still appears to be happening.

Does this stop you from using Cursor

No - Cursor works, but with this issue

4

Hey, thanks for the detailed report and the links to the previous threads.

This is a known issue. The update check API and the apt repo aren’t in sync, so the popup shows up before the package is actually available via apt. The team is aware, but there’s no ETA for a fix yet.

For now, the workaround is to set Update: Mode to none in VS Code settings. The downside is that this disables all update notifications, including real ones.

Let me know if you have any questions.