As a developer who's spent years working with both JetBrains IDEA and Cursor, I've had the unique opportunity to experience firsthand how these two powerful IDEs shape the development workflow. The decision between a traditional powerhouse like JetBrains IDEA and an AI-first editor like Cursor isn't just about features - it's about how you and your team want to approach software development in an AI-driven world.

Understanding Both IDEs

When I first encountered Cursor after years of using JetBrains IDEA, I was skeptical. Like many developers, I had invested countless hours mastering IDEA's extensive feature set and countless keyboard shortcuts. The thought of switching to a new IDE seemed daunting. However, as I began exploring Cursor, I realized these tools represent two fundamentally different approaches to modern development.

JetBrains IDEA has earned its reputation through years of refinement. It's like a Swiss Army knife that's been carefully crafted over decades. Every feature, from its powerful debugger to its comprehensive refactoring tools, feels polished and reliable. The extensive plugin ecosystem means you can find a tool for almost any development need.

Cursor, on the other hand, takes a fresh approach. Instead of trying to match IDEA feature-for-feature, it focuses on revolutionizing how we write code through AI integration. The difference became clear during my first week with Cursor - it wasn't just about code completion; it was about having an intelligent coding companion.

Development Experience

The daily development experience between these IDEs differs significantly. In IDEA, you're working with a mature, predictable environment. The indexing system, while sometimes resource-intensive, provides incredibly accurate code navigation and refactoring capabilities. The debugger is particularly impressive - I've yet to find a debugging scenario it couldn't handle.

Cursor shines in different ways. Its AI-powered features feel like having a senior developer looking over your shoulder, ready to help. The code suggestions are contextually aware and often surprisingly accurate. While it might not match IDEA's debugging capabilities, it excels at helping you write better code in the first place.

Let me share a recent experience. I was working on a complex API integration:

In IDEA, I relied on:

Comprehensive documentation lookup
Type-aware code completion
Database tools integration
Built-in HTTP client

With Cursor, the process was different but equally effective:

AI-powered code generation
Context-aware suggestions
Natural language code explanations
Intelligent error detection

AI Capabilities

This is where the real differentiation becomes apparent. While JetBrains has been adding AI features through plugins and updates, Cursor was built with AI at its core. The difference is like comparing a car that's been retrofitted with modern features to one designed for the electric age.

In my daily work, I've noticed that Cursor's AI capabilities particularly shine when:

Starting new projects
Learning new frameworks
Writing boilerplate code
Debugging complex issues
Documenting code

However, the effectiveness of these AI features heavily depends on the quality of your project's documentation and context. This is where I discovered a game-changing combination: using PromptKit to enhance Cursor's AI capabilities.

Team Collaboration

One of the most significant challenges in modern development is maintaining consistent documentation and knowledge sharing across the team. JetBrains IDEA handles this through its robust plugin ecosystem and integration with documentation tools.

Cursor takes a different approach, leveraging AI to make documentation and knowledge sharing more intuitive. However, I found that combining Cursor with PromptKit created an even more powerful solution. PromptKit's ability to generate comprehensive project documentation significantly enhances Cursor's AI understanding of your codebase.

Here's how this combination has improved our team's workflow:

Better Context Understanding
- PromptKit generates detailed project documentation
- Cursor's AI better understands the codebase
- More accurate code suggestions
- Improved team consistency
Enhanced Collaboration
- Standardized documentation practices
- Clearer code explanations
- Easier onboarding process
- Better knowledge transfer

Migration Considerations

If you're considering switching from JetBrains IDEA to Cursor, here are some practical considerations based on my experience:

Learning Curve

The transition period varies depending on your team's experience. I found that developers who embrace AI tools adapt more quickly. The key is to:

Start with small projects
Use both IDEs initially
Focus on learning AI-driven workflows
Leverage existing documentation

Cost Analysis

While JetBrains IDEA's pricing is well-established, Cursor's offering often proves more cost-effective, especially when considering the productivity gains from AI features. However, the real value comes from proper implementation and usage of these tools.

Team Adoption

Success in adopting any new IDE depends heavily on team buy-in. I've found that the most successful transitions occur when:

Teams understand the benefits
There's proper documentation in place
Training resources are available
The migration is gradual

Making the Right Choice

After months of using both IDEs, I've concluded that the choice isn't always binary. Some teams effectively use both: JetBrains IDEA for specific tasks where its mature features are invaluable, and Cursor for projects that benefit from AI-driven development.

However, if you're leaning toward Cursor, I strongly recommend incorporating PromptKit into your workflow. The combination of Cursor's AI capabilities and PromptKit's documentation generation creates a powerful development environment that can significantly boost your team's productivity.

PromptKit helps by:

Generating comprehensive project documentation
Providing better context for AI suggestions
Standardizing development practices
Improving team collaboration
Enhancing code quality through better understanding

Looking Ahead

The IDE landscape continues to evolve, with AI playing an increasingly important role. While JetBrains IDEA represents the pinnacle of traditional IDE design, Cursor shows us a glimpse of the AI-first future of development.

For teams looking to embrace this future while maintaining high development standards, I recommend:

Evaluating your specific needs
Considering your team's adaptability
Planning for proper documentation
Investing in the right tools

The combination of Cursor and PromptKit has proven particularly effective in my experience. PromptKit's ability to generate high-quality project documentation enhances Cursor's AI capabilities, creating a more intelligent and productive development environment.

Remember, the goal isn't just to switch tools - it's to improve your development workflow. Whether you choose JetBrains IDEA, Cursor, or a combination of both, ensure your choice aligns with your team's needs and future direction.

Have you made the switch from JetBrains IDEA to Cursor? Or are you using both? Share your experiences in the comments below - I'd love to hear about your journey and any tips you've discovered along the way.

JetBrains IDEA vs Cursor: A Developer's Guide to Choosing the Right IDE