V2.5.17 - Interface issues when changing between Editor and Agent

[Mihai_Cracan]

Where does the bug appear (feature/product)?

Cursor IDE

Describe the Bug

Interface resets when changing between Editor and Agent.

I expected at one point the views for Editor and Agent will be unified into the new “layout engine” (instead classic editor from before).

I appreciate that CMD+E still works for switching, and I hope there are no plans to remove it.

However, what happens now is that when switching between Editor and Agent, the side panels are always reset to their default visibility.

For example:

• Editor → I hide the right bar → as I don’t want to see the Chat in this mode
• Agent → I hide the agents side bar

Before:

• when switching between views with CMD+E my above changes were kept (sidebar remains shown/hidden just as I did them)

Now (version 2.5.17):

• when switching between views, everything from the view, including sidebars visibility is reset to their initial defaults

The idea is that most probably someone else mentioned this as well, we are using Cursor to work on real projects for real clients, where we have real deadlines.

I am happy to spend $200 / month, even more.

The basics of the UI, the ones we get used to, should remain as stable as possible. If every version, every update, introduces flows changes, UI bugs, it makes everything far less usable for real world work.

I think there was a mega-thread on this issue, and for some time there were no more changes with the views, which was something great, something that needs to be kept.

I was expecting at some point to remove the classic editor and integrate the Agents and Editor into the same “new” layout engine.

Let’s please fix this issue, makes everything work as before → I mean the sidebars visibility should be kept as shown/hidden by the user, and not reset when switching between Agent and Editor.

Then, please let’s try to keep the core functionality as stable as possible:

• CMD+E changes between Agent and Editor
• Editor → keeps sidebars visibility changes
• Agent → keeps sidebar visibility changes

I am sure there are improvements to be made in other parts, but the core physics of the layout, in my opinion should remain as stable as possible.

I reached a point where I am really afraid to update Cursor in the middle of the work, due to its layout instability between updates.

Steps to Reproduce

Version 2.5.17

• switch between Agent and View
• show/hide sidebars
• swtich again
• sidebars are always reset to be shown/visible

Expected Behavior

When switching between Agent and Editor:

• Agent Mode → if I hide Agent Sidebar → it should always should stay like this
• Editor Mode → if I hide right sidebar (chats) → it should always stay like this

This is how it already worked before and it was perfect.

P.S. I love Cursor, but please let me use it without any layout bugs / breaking UI changes

Screenshots / Screen Recordings

Operating System

MacOS

Version Information

IDE 2.5.17

Does this stop you from using Cursor

No - Cursor works, but with this issue

[Mihai_Cracan]

Further clarifications.

I left everything open over night, and now in the morning CMD+E:

• this morning - now changes between Classic Editor and new layout engine (Agent or Editor - based on what was last selected)
• yesterday night - CMD+E was changing between Agent and Editor within the new layout, as shown in my screenshot

Is this a known behaviour? Was something updated on the fly over night on Cursor side?

Version is still 2.5.17.

Thank you!

[deanrie]

Hey, thanks for the detailed report. From your screenshot, I can see you’re using the new Agent layout with the Agent/Editor toggle, so that confirms everything is set up correctly.

There are two separate issues here:

1. Sidebar visibility resets on CMD+E
   This is a regression. The sidebar state used to stay the same when switching between Agent and Editor, and it should keep doing that. I’ll flag this to the team.

2. CMD+E switches to Classic Editor instead of switching inside the Agent layout
   If this happens again, check the layout dropdown (top right). If it says “Agent/Editor” like in your screenshot, CMD+E should switch between them.

Quick workaround: if CMD+E sends you to Classic Editor, click the layout switcher and manually select Agent or Editor again, or use the Cmd+Opt+Tab shortcut to switch modes.

[Mihai_Cracan]

Thank you, Dean!

Somehow now randomly when using CMD+E it switches between Classic Editor and Agent.

In this scenario somehow I get what I need:

• Classic Editor → simply file explorer on the left
• Agent → only Chats on the left
• Classic Editor to Agent switch - somehow does not reset the sidebars

I mean, New Editor → Agent switch could be fine too, only to not reset the sidebars.

The main thing I literally did nothing, over night CMD+E started to switch between Classic Editor and Agent (this works too, as this behaves fine).

Glad to hear it is something Cursor team is aware of.