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Flywrite

Flywrite vs Cursor for writing

Pick Flywrite if you write more than you code: your articles, specs, plans and reports get a Markdown writing app you can style your way, your agent (Cursor Agent included) runs in a terminal that knows the file and text you're working on, and backup to your own GitHub repo is built in. Keep Cursor for your code, where its built-in Agent and bundled AI usage fit.

Published by Flywrite. We make Flywrite, one of the options compared here. Facts are from each product's own pages, checked . · Updated

Pick Flywrite if

  • You write articles, specs, plans, reports or a journal
  • You already run a CLI agent, or want to bring Cursor Agent along
  • You'd rather draft on a page styled for prose than in a code editor

Keep Cursor if

  • You write code more than prose
  • You're happy writing your drafts in a code editor
  • You want AI included in one plan

Facts side by side

Facts checked October 9, 2026
FactFlywriteCursor
What it is A Mac writing app for Markdown with a terminal built in, right below your writingA code editor based on VS Code, with its own Agent built in
Price to start $99 a year, every feature, GitHub backup includedFree Hobby plan with limited Agent requests; paid plans (current pricing)
AI No AI included and no Flywrite AI fee; your agent's provider bills youPaid plans include model usage; on-demand usage is billed after that
Platforms MacMac, Windows and Linux
Agents Launchers for Claude Code, Codex and Cursor Agent, or any CLI agent that runs in your terminal, such as Gemini CLI or OpenCodeCursor Agent in the editor; Cursor's CLI runs its agent in any terminal
What the agent works on Your project's files, plus the file you're in, the line you're on and the text you've highlighted: automatic for Claude Code, after a one-time setup for Cursor AgentSearches, reads and edits your files and runs terminal commands
Undoing agent edits A checkpoint of the whole project when Claude Code or Cursor Agent starts; restore the project or one fileCheckpoints before significant Agent changes, stored apart from Git; restoring reverts files, not the conversation
Your files and setup Any folder opens as a project: ordinary files, no vault, database or importImports your VS Code extensions, themes, settings and keybindings; extensions come from Open VSX
Backup and sync Built in and included: one Sync button backs up to your own GitHub repository, with no Git commands; GitHub's free plan includes private repositoriesUse Git; Cursor recommends it for permanent version control

Sources: Flywrite pricing, Flywrite terminal, Writing with Cursor, Checkpoints & versions, GitHub backup & sync, Cursor pricing, Cursor Agent, Cursor download, Cursor VS Code migration. Full list with dates under Sources and limits.

Flywrite is $99 a year for Mac, with no AI fee. Buy Flywrite for Mac

Where each one wins

Where Flywrite wins

  • Built for prose, and yours to style. A Rendered view that reads like the finished piece, with Source one keystroke away. Pick your theme, colors, fonts and page width, app-wide, per project or per file.
  • Your agent, not ours. Run Claude Code, Codex or Cursor Agent from launchers, or any CLI agent that runs in your terminal, such as Gemini CLI or OpenCode. Cursor Agent runs inside Flywrite after a one-time setup, and Flywrite never charges for AI, so you use the plan you already have with your agent's provider.
  • The terminal knows what you're writing. Claude Code sees the file you're in, the line you're on and the text you've highlighted, automatically; Cursor Agent does too after its setup.
  • One checkpoint for the whole project. When Claude Code or Cursor Agent starts, Flywrite checkpoints the whole project as a Git commit you can restore by project or by file. Cursor's checkpoints are local snapshots kept separate from Git.
  • Free backup and sync to your own GitHub. One Sync button backs up the project and keeps your Macs in step, with no Git commands. It's included in Flywrite, and GitHub's free plan includes private repositories.

Where Cursor wins

  • Free to start. Cursor's Hobby plan is free, with limited Agent requests. Flywrite is $99 a year.
  • Every desktop platform. Mac, Windows and Linux; Flywrite is Mac only.
  • AI built in, one bill. Cursor's Agent edits files and runs commands, and paid plans include model usage. With Flywrite you pay your agent's provider separately.
  • One app for code and prose. If you also ship software, there's nothing new to learn; Cursor even imports your VS Code setup.
  • Its agent keeps checkpoints too. Cursor snapshots files before significant Agent changes.

Agent edit and undo, step by step

Documented behavior from each product's docs, checked October 9, 2026
StepFlywriteCursor
Start the agent Open a terminal launcher for Claude Code or Cursor Agent, right under the draftOpen Agent in the side pane (Cmd+I)
Point it at your text Select text: Claude Code sees the file, the line and your selection automatically; Cursor Agent does after its one-time setupAgent searches for and reads the files it needs
See the change The agent edits your files and the editor updates liveAgent applies its edits to your files
Undo it Restore the project, or one file, from the checkpoint taken when the agent startedRestore a checkpoint from the chat; files revert, the conversation stays
Keep long-term history Checkpoints are Git commits on your Mac, with optional GitHub backup and syncCursor recommends Git; its checkpoints are for undoing Agent changes

Write in Flywrite, keep coding in Cursor

  1. Open your drafts folder in Flywrite with Open Folder. There's nothing to import and no vault: your files stay ordinary files. If the folder is already a Git repository, checkpoints stay on for it.
  2. Start your agent from a terminal launcher. Claude Code sees your selection with no setup, and Flywrite checkpoints the project as it starts.
  3. Bring Cursor Agent along. Install Cursor's CLI, then run the one-time setup in Settings → Agents. Cursor asks you to approve Flywrite's server the first time. How Cursor Agent works in Flywrite
  4. Connect GitHub for free backup. One Sync action backs up your drafts to your own GitHub repository; GitHub's free plan includes private repositories.
  5. Keep Cursor for code. Your drafts stay ordinary files that both apps can open. Still weighing Cursor against VS Code? Compare them for writing.

Questions

Can I use Cursor Agent inside Flywrite?

Yes. Install Cursor's CLI, then run the one-time setup in Settings → Agents, and approve Flywrite's server when Cursor asks. After that, Cursor Agent sees your selection and open file, and Flywrite checkpoints the project each time a Cursor Agent session connects.

Does Flywrite include AI like Cursor's plans?

No. Flywrite has no built-in AI and charges no AI fee; you run your own agent on the subscription you already have, whether that's Claude Code, Codex, Cursor Agent or another CLI agent such as Gemini CLI or OpenCode. Cursor's plans include model usage, with on-demand usage billed after that.

Will Flywrite open my existing project folder?

Yes. Open Folder turns any folder into a project, and your files stay ordinary files. If the folder is already a Git repository, checkpoints stay on for it.

Do Cursor's checkpoints work like Flywrite's?

Both undo agent edits. Cursor snapshots the files Agent changes before significant edits and keeps them apart from Git; restoring reverts files, not the conversation. Flywrite checkpoints the whole project as a Git commit when Claude Code or Cursor Agent starts, and you can restore the project or one file.

Do backup and sync cost extra?

No. GitHub backup and sync are included in Flywrite: one Sync button backs up your project to your own GitHub repository and keeps your Macs in step. GitHub's free plan includes private repositories.

Is Flywrite available for Windows or Linux?

No. Flywrite is a Mac app. Cursor runs on Mac, Windows and Linux.

Bring your agent to Flywrite

$99 a year · Mac · every feature

Buy Flywrite for Mac See how the terminal works

Sources and limits

Plans and features change, so check each product's current pricing before you buy.