Remote SSH `cursor PATH` opens Agents Window; remote-cli doesn't support `--classic`

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Where does the bug appear (feature/product)?

Cursor CLI

Describe the Bug

I have a Remote SSH Cursor connection to an Ubuntu workstation. On that workstation, I would often “cd PATH && cursor .” to open a new Remote Cursor window targeting that path.

As of yesterday, this stopped working, and is instead launching an “Agents” view.

I have tried:

  • Adding the “–classic” flag when invoking the cursor CLI, but I get “Ignoring option ‘classic’: not supported for cursor”
  • Attempt update, but I get “no updates available”
  • Setting the “Open Agents Window on Startup” Cursor option to “Off”

Steps to Reproduce

  • Connect to remote server with “Remote-SSH: Connect to host”
  • On that server, type “cursor .”
  • A new Cursor window will open, but not the IDE view.

Expected Behavior

Cursor should open in IDE instead of Agents view. If not by default, then at least using a flag.

Operating System

Linux

Version Information

IDE: 3.10.20
CLI: 3.10.20

Additional Information

There are several other similar issues, but they don’t seem to cover the remote scenario, where --classic does not work.

Related reports:

Does this stop you from using Cursor

No - Cursor works, but with this issue

6

Hey!
This is expected as of 3.10, though I get why it’s surprising. cursor <folder> now opens in whichever window type you last had focused, so if your last-active window was the Agents Window, it opens the folder as an agent there instead of a classic Editor.

To force a classic Editor straight from your Remote SSH terminal, add a window flag:

  • cursor -n . — opens the folder in a new window
  • cursor -r . — opens it in an already-open window

Both are supported over Remote SSH and both bypass the Agents-Window routing. --classic is a desktop-only flag that isn’t wired into the remote CLI, which is why you got “not supported for cursor.” And Open Agents Window on startup only controls the window shown when the app launches, not what cursor <folder> opens, so toggling it off wouldn’t change this.

If you’d rather not change the command, making a classic Editor window your last-active one (open one on the desktop side) will send plain cursor . back there too.

I’ve noted the missing classic flag on the remote CLI as feedback. Let me know if -n/-r sorts it for you!