Compare
Cursor vs Claude Code
Side-by-side comparison of Cursor and Claude Code for SKILL.md agent skills — install model, shell access, native support, skill count and best use cases.
Comparison
At a glance
| Dimension | Cursor | Claude Code |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Cursor | Anthropic |
| Native SKILL.md support | Via compatibility layer | Yes |
| Verified skills indexed | 73 | 124 |
| Install model | Local folder | Local folder |
| Shell / Bash access | Yes | Yes |
| Tagline | AI-first IDE. SKILL.md works via the Cursor plugin layer; per-skill compatibility verified here. | Anthropic's terminal CLI for coding agents. Filesystem skills, plugin marketplace, subagents. |
Both
73
Skills verified to work on both Cursor and Claude Code.
Only Cursor
0
Indexed for Cursor but not yet verified on Claude Code.
Only Claude Code
51
Indexed for Claude Code but not yet verified on Cursor.
Verdict
Which should you pick?
Claude Code 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 73 of the skills indexed here are verified on both agents. Browse the per-agent rankings to see which Skills lead on each platform: Skills for Cursor · Skills for Claude Code.
FAQ
Common questions
Which is better for SKILL.md skills, Cursor or Claude Code?
Claude Code has native SKILL.md support; Cursor uses a compatibility layer. Cursor has 73 verified skills indexed here; Claude Code has 124. 73 skills work on both.
Can I use the same Skill on Cursor and Claude Code?
73 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 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.
How do I install a Skill on Claude Code?
Drop the Skill folder into `~/.claude/skills/` (user-wide) or `.claude/skills/` (project-scoped), or run the plugin install command. The agent picks up new Skills on next session start.
Which agent should I pick for cross-platform skill use?
If native SKILL.md support and the broadest skill ecosystem matter most, pick Claude Code. Cursor works for teams already invested in that platform.
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