Does GitHub Copilot Agent Mode Replace the Cursor?

In the rapidly evolving realm of AI-powered coding, two tools are frequently the subject of intense discussions: GitHub Copilot Agent Mode and Cursor’s Agent Mode.

Both strive to accomplish the same goals: transforming development processes into something faster, more intelligent, and more streamlined, while minimizing repetition by using plain language to serve instructions to generate code of a proper standard. But are the goals of both tools so similar that GitHub Copilot Agent Mode is a complete substitute for Cursor? In short, no, not completely.

The full answer: It relies completely on your preferences, your coding regimen, and your workflow. Let’s go through this step-by-step.

What is GitHub Copilot Agent Mode?

GitHub Copilot Agent Mode is like having a developer who is always ready to respond to instructions, frequently take automatable steps, and make changes on your IDE with minimal babysitting.
Agent Mode, which is built in Visual Studio Code, is an upgrade of GitHub's older AI-powered pair programmer. It is no longer an autocomplete tool for lines of code; now, it can execute plans for multi-step tasks, issue commands, and operate in a detached mode.

With Agent Mode, you can:

Gain insights from your entire project: Agent Mode goes beyond looking at a single file; it comprehends your repository’s structure, dependencies, and coding style.
Develop multi-step plans: Want a function changed in several files? Copilot can draft all the necessary modifications before executing any code.
Execute terminal commands: From the shell, it can perform commands such as installing dependencies and executing test suites.
Write and execute code: Alterations can be made, relevant tests can be executed, and functionality can be verified all without terminal intervention.
Fix problems and iterate until results are positive: If there are issues, it can save you from fixing and rerunning loops by debugging and retrying until the desired result is achieved.
Transparency: Transparency is a highlighted feature; users are able to view the logic steps Copilot is taking as it works. This is crucial for developers who need AI assistance while maintaining oversight and governance.

Another significant innovation is a result of asynchronous automation. Copilot can:

Draft pull requests
Make modifications to the codebase
Send the changes for evaluation
Complete all the above without continuous oversight from humans

Deeply integrated teams in the GitHub environment will find this refreshing. Your AI copilot is now situated precisely at the epicenter of code management, review, and deployment.

Introducing Cursor’s Agent Mode

Like other products of Redis, Cursor takes a different approach – it is an AI-first code editor built on top of VS Code, but redesigned with deep AI integration from the ground up.

Cursor’s Agent Mode is not as simple as running a command once. It’s about integrating AI into the heart of your development process and every phase of it.

Make context-aware, multi-file edits: Agent Mode can scan, comprehend, and alter code throughout an entire repository, making edits with a deep understanding of the entire codebase’s architecture and how the changes impact it.
Run intelligent terminal commands: Unlike other basic automation, Agent Mode understands the underlying objective behind terminal commands and can alter its approach if conditions vary.
Refactor large sections of code: In case you want to shift from one framework to the other, Agent Mode can always systematically modify sections of the codebase to achieve your desired result.
Respond to chat-based prompts instantaneously: In its chat, you can message a senior developer on the topics you want to. You can request explanations, changes and optimizations using really simple terms and receive detailed responses.
Index your repository for a deeper understanding: It builds a kind of internal geography of your project such that it can parse contextual responses and thus respond faster and more accurately to context-specific requests.

Whereas GitHub Copilot Agent Mode seems to center around integrating AI into the GitHub + VS Code ecosystem, Cursor seems more preoccupied with being the best AI-powered coding environment, period.

GitHub Copilot Agent Mode vs. Cursor Agent Mode – Side by Side

Real-World Scenarios: Which One Fits Best?

To make this comparison less abstract, let’s put these tools into actual developer scenarios

Scenario 1 – GitHub-Centric Workflow

In the case where you are in a big team and GitHub serves as the central repository for pull requests, code reviews and CI/CD pipelines, Copilot Agent Mode works exceptionally well. Consider the following:

Set it to create drafts for pull requests for any bugs that have been fixed
Allow it to take care of monotonous and mindless code that needs to be subjected to repetitive refactoring changes
Pass CI tests for which the only possible response is “yes” and “yes” all the time, which you only need to verify the code in the latter stage

Cursor can do a few of these, Copilot allows much more seamless operations.

Scenario 2 – Solo Developer, AI as a Coding Sidekick

Cursor feels super for you if you are working alone as a solo developer, or if your organization is small and you quickly need to “drill” the code. You could

Rewrite entire parts of the code with only a single prompt
Switch very quickly to and fro explaining the code, editing it and even running the tests
Employ custom artificial intelligence structures for very particular programming for particular programming requirements

Copilot can perform as well, but in this case, everything is under Cursor’s AI and as a result, everything is more grab-and-go and intuitive

Scenario 3 – Refactoring a Legacy Codebase

Where different tools can be useful in different ways, this is all the more true for this case.

Copilot will think of changes to be made, tell the changes in a cohesive story, and then make all the changes and updates to the corresponding GitHub pull requests. This avoids the need for a lot of team visibility.
Cursor will let you see and edit the refactor live in a more interactive way, often completing big changes in fewer steps.

So… Does Copilot Agent Mode Replace Cursor?

Not exactly.

Different strengths, different goals:

Copilot Agent Mode is perfect for GitHub-focused workflows, especially if you want both real-time help and background PR automation.
Cursor is AI-first from the ground up—the whole editor is designed for AI-enhanced coding, making it ideal if you want deep, fast, interactive AI help while you work.

In short, Copilot Agent Mode redefines what’s possible inside GitHub and VS Code, but Cursor is still unmatched for a fully AI-driven coding environment.

Also, read

Why Quantum IT Innovation Recommends Both

At Quantum IT Innovation, we don’t believe in “one size fits all.” Instead, we help you:

Select the most suitable tool for your workflow: Automations for GitHub, or the power of AI-rich editors. We ensure your team gets what they need.
Use as many tools as you want: Some developers use Cursor as a day-to-day coding tool while using Copilot for GitHub automations, and that works.
Make AI work for your team: With your team's requirements in mind, we adjust the prompts, memories, and rules so that AI aligns precisely with your team's workflow.
Increase AI use: Solo developers and corporate-level teams are all supported with streamlined roll-out, training, and ROI.

Conclusion

Both GitHub Copilot Agent Mode and Cursor's Agent Mode are revolutionary in their ways, but they cater to different types of developers. For workflows that primarily revolve around GitHub, Copilot's Agent Mode will seamlessly integrate if your preference is for deep AI integration and a need for high coding velocity. At the same time, in the editor, Cursor will be a superpower.
The amazing thing is, you are not forced to select one. Many developers use both automations with Copilot and Cursor for daily coding.
At Quantum IT Innovation, we assist teams in integrating, adopting, and optimizing these tools, enabling developers to shift from monotonous tasks to the creation of world-class software.
Also, we specialize in Business optimization solutions, Web & App Development, Digital Marketing & AI for B2B and B2C agencies and companies across the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the Middle East.