"Open agents windows on startup" option ignored

Where does the bug appear (feature/product)?

Cursor IDE

Describe the Bug

In recent versions, clicking Cursor shortcut started launching agent window instead of the IDE window. So I went into the settings and set “Open agents windows on startup” to off. But looks like Cursor completely ignores that and still launches in agent mode - every time!

No “switch back using Ctrl+Shift+N, or Command Palette Ctrl+Shift+P > Open Editor Window.” is NOT a solution, as recommended in this post → Cursor starting in agent mode instead of editor mode

Steps to Reproduce

  • Be on Cursor v3.11.x
  • Launch Cursor
  • It opens in Agent mode, not IDE mode

Expected Behavior

Launch in IDE mode. Don’t make me jump through THREE hoops to get to my workspace.

Operating System

Windows 10/11

Version Information

Version: 3.11.19 (user setup)
VS Code Extension API: 1.125.0
Commit: bf249e6efb5b097f23d7e21d7283429f0760b740
Date: 2026-07-12T21:39:24.175Z
Layout: IDE
Build Type: Stable
Release Track: Default
Electron: 40.10.3
Chromium: 144.0.7559.236
Node.js: 24.15.0
V8: 14.4.258.32-electron.0
xterm.js: 6.1.0-beta.256
OS: Windows_NT x64 10.0.26200

Does this stop you from using Cursor

No - Cursor works, but with this issue

Hey there, right now Open Agents Window on Startup = Off doesn’t force the editor on launch. It falls back to restoring your last-used windows, so if the Agents Window was open or focused when you last closed Cursor, it reopens on the next launch no matter what that setting says. This is a known one we’re tracking, and we’re working on clearer labeling so the setting stops implying more than it does.

This is different from the “switch back on every launch” step you didn’t want. You only need to do it once and it sticks: close the Agents Window so only your editor window is open, then fully quit Cursor from that editor window. That drops the Agents Window from the saved session, so Cursor opens straight into the IDE on every launch afterward, as long as you keep closing from the editor window.

If it still reopens into the Agents Window after that, share your exact steps and I’ll dig in further.

I never, ever, ever, want Cursor to open in agent mode, no matter what windows were active or open. This is a common complaint on my team, and why several of us have switched to windsurf. This needs to be fixed.

There are many ongoing threads about this. I suggest we consolidate them into the following!