Cursor CLI (Tested) + Unlimited Free GPT-5: This is A Really GOOD & FULLY FREE CLI AI Coder!

Key Concepts:

• Cursor CLI: A terminal coder by Cursor, currently free to use with GPT5.
• GPT5: A language model by OpenAI, offered for free with Cursor CLI.
• Claude Code: A similar terminal coder, used for comparison.
• Ninja Chat: An all-in-one AI platform offering access to multiple AI models.
• King Bench: A benchmark used to test the coding capabilities of AI models.
• TMDB API: The Movie Database API, used for fetching movie data.
• Expo Project: A framework for building React Native applications.

1. Introduction to Cursor CLI

• Cursor has launched a CLI (Command Line Interface) that is free to use with the GPT5 model, even without a premium Cursor plan.
• The Cursor CLI is designed as a terminal coder, representing Cursor's first non-forked product.
• It shares similarities with Claude Code in terms of UI and functionality.
• The CLI includes features like edits and rule setup, and supports all Cursor models.
• Currently in beta, it lacks some features found in Claude Code, such as hooks, sub-agents, and custom slash commands.

2. Ninja Chat Advertisement

• Ninja Chat is an all-in-one AI platform that provides access to AI models like GPT40, Claude 4, Sonnet, and Gemini 2.5 Pro for $11 per month.
• Features include an AI playground for comparing model responses and a mind map generator.
• The basic plan includes 1,000 messages, 30 images, and five videos monthly.
• Discount codes "king25" (25% off any plan) and "king40yearly" (40% off annual subscriptions) are provided.

3. Installation and Setup of Cursor CLI

• Installation is done via a command-line command.
• After installation, the cursor agent command is used to start the CLI.
• Users are required to sign in with their Cursor account.
• The interface is similar to Claude Code, with a prompt box and slash commands.

4. Slash Commands and Functionality

• /mod ls: Lists available models (GPT5, Sonnet 4.1, and Opus 4.1). GPT5 is currently free.
• auto run: Manages auto-approval of commands (on, off, toggle, check status).
• new chat: Creates a new chat session.
• clear: Clears the current session messages.
• vim: Enables Vim keybinds.
• help: Provides information about commands.
• feedback: Submits feedback.
• resume: Resumes a previous chat.
• copy request ID: Copies the request ID.
• logout: Logs out of the Cursor account.

5. Demonstration: Minesweeper Game

• The CLI is used to create a Minesweeper game using HTML, CSS, and JS.
• GPT5 processes the request and generates the code.
• The generated code works without issues.
• The response is not streamed, unlike Claude.

6. King Bench Results and GPT5 Performance

• The King Bench question was tested, revealing that GPT5 does not use import maps, preventing it from rendering 3JS.
• Other issues include incorrect dimensions.
• GPT5 is considered fine for coding but not as good as Sonnet or Opus.
• GPT5 is compared to GPT 4.1 in terms of performance and is noted to be slow.

7. Movie Tracker App with Expo Project

• The CLI was used in an Expo project to create a movie tracker app using the TMDB API.
• The task was part of the Agentic benchmark.
• GPT5 was used as the recommended model.
• The process was slow due to GPT5.
• The CLI is effective for long-running tasks with complex prompts.
• It checks for linter errors, edits code, and commits changes.

8. Code Quality and Comparison with Claude Code

• The code quality is considered lacking, potentially due to GPT5's limitations.
• The resulting app is basic.
• Claude Code produces a significantly better app with smooth scrolling, multiple sections, and a functional profile page.

9. Overall Assessment of Cursor CLI

• Cursor CLI is considered good, especially given that GPT5 is currently free.
• It lacks some features like MCP servers.
• Recommended for users with a Cursor subscription or those seeking a free option while GPT5 is free.

10. Conclusion

• Cursor CLI is a promising tool, particularly for its free access to GPT5. While it has limitations and may not match the code quality of alternatives like Claude Code, its ability to handle long-running tasks and its integration with GPT5 make it a worthwhile option for certain users. The future development and potential feature additions will determine its long-term value.