Is there a fully local alternative to Cursor?

Yes. OpenJet runs the model and agent loop on your machine rather than routing AI requests through a hosted editor backend.

Does OpenJet replace VS Code?

No. OpenJet is terminal-native and can run beside VS Code, Cursor, or another editor. It replaces the hosted coding-agent path, not your editor.

Can OpenJet run without an API key?

Yes. Once setup downloads and configures the local model, the coding agent does not need a model-provider API key.

local Cursor alternative

A local Cursor alternative that keeps inference on your machine

OpenJet is for developers who want an agent working across a repository without sending AI requests through an editor vendor's backend. It configures a model for your hardware and runs the coding loop locally in the terminal.

Install OpenJet Compare the workflows

What Cursor already does well

Cursor is an AI-first code editor with hosted model integrations and privacy controls. Its documentation says AI requests are routed through Cursor's backend, including when custom API keys are used.

Product capabilities change, so verify the current details in the Cursor privacy documentation.

OpenJet vs Cursor

Area	OpenJet	Cursor
Inference path	Open model runs on your machine through a local runtime.	AI requests route through Cursor's backend and hosted model infrastructure.
Interface	Terminal-native agent that works inside any repository.	AI-first graphical editor based on the VS Code workflow.
Setup	Profiles RAM and GPU memory, selects a fitting model, and configures the runtime.	Editor onboarding plus selection of Cursor-hosted or supported API models.
Cost model	Open source with no per-token hosted-model requirement.	Free and paid plans with model usage governed by the selected plan.

Which should you choose?

Choose OpenJet when you need

Code that must not be sent to an AI backend
Offline or air-gapped development
Developers who prefer a terminal agent
Using Qwen3.8-27B on owned hardware

Choose Cursor when you need

Developers who want AI deeply integrated into a graphical editor
Hosted frontier-model access
Inline completion and editor-native UX

Try the local-first path

OpenJet setup detects the machine, selects a model profile that fits, downloads the model, and configures the runtime. Start it inside any repository.

bash

pipx install open-jet
openjet setup
cd /path/to/your/repo
openjet

Cursor alternative FAQ

Is there a fully local alternative to Cursor?: Yes. OpenJet runs the model and agent loop on your machine rather than routing AI requests through a hosted editor backend.
Does OpenJet replace VS Code?: No. OpenJet is terminal-native and can run beside VS Code, Cursor, or another editor. It replaces the hosted coding-agent path, not your editor.
Can OpenJet run without an API key?: Yes. Once setup downloads and configures the local model, the coding agent does not need a model-provider API key.

Compare more local coding-agent paths

Browse all OpenJet comparisons, run Qwen3.8-27B locally, or read the installation docs.