---
title: Codex CLI vs Cursor
slug: codex-vs-cursor
type: agent-comparison
a: codex
b: cursor
canonical: https://top-agent-skills.com/compare/codex-vs-cursor
rubric: 1.0
---

# Codex CLI vs Cursor

Side-by-side for SKILL.md agent Skills: install model, shell access, native support, and how many Skills are verified on each.

## At a glance

| | Codex | Cursor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Vendor | OpenAI | Cursor |
| Native SKILL.md support | Yes | Via compatibility layer |
| Verified skills indexed | 55 | 79 |
| Install model | Local folder | Local folder |
| Shell / Bash access | Yes | Yes |
| Tagline | OpenAI's coding agent CLI. Adopted the SKILL.md spec verbatim in Dec 2025. | AI-first IDE. SKILL.md works via the Cursor plugin layer; per-skill compatibility verified here. |

## Overlap

- Verified on both: 48
- Only Codex: 7
- Only Cursor: 31

## Which should you pick?

Codex CLI is the deeper SKILL.md target — native support, the broadest verified skill ecosystem, and the closest fit for skill-driven workflows. Cursor works well when you are already invested in the Cursor ecosystem or need its specific integrations.

Many teams use both — Skills with the SKILL.md spec are portable, and 48 of the skills indexed here are verified on both agents.

Per-agent rankings: https://top-agent-skills.com/skills-for-codex · https://top-agent-skills.com/skills-for-cursor

## Common questions

**Which is better for SKILL.md skills, Codex CLI or Cursor?**

Codex CLI has native SKILL.md support; Cursor uses a compatibility layer. Codex CLI has 55 verified skills indexed here; Cursor has 79. 48 skills work on both.

**Can I use the same Skill on Codex CLI and Cursor?**

48 of the skills indexed here work on both. The SKILL.md spec is shared, so most skills run cleanly on both — the exceptions are skills that depend on agent-specific tools (Bash, Workflows, MCP patterns).

**How do I install a Skill on Codex CLI?**

Drop the Skill folder under ~/.codex/skills/ for user-wide or .codex/skills/ for project-scoped. Codex loads SKILL.md the same way Claude Code does.

**How do I install a Skill on Cursor?**

Drop the folder under .cursor/skills/ for project-scoped, or the global Cursor config dir for user-wide. The marketplace gives one-click install for popular Skills.

**Which agent should I pick for cross-platform skill use?**

If native SKILL.md support and the broadest skill ecosystem matter most, pick Codex CLI. Cursor works for teams already invested in that platform.

---

_Top Agent Skills. Machine-readable twin of https://top-agent-skills.com/compare/codex-vs-cursor._