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

# Cursor vs Codex CLI

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

| | Cursor | Codex |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Vendor | Cursor | OpenAI |
| Native SKILL.md support | Via compatibility layer | Yes |
| Verified skills indexed | 79 | 55 |
| 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. | OpenAI's coding agent CLI. Adopted the SKILL.md spec verbatim in Dec 2025. |

## Overlap

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

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

## Common questions

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

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

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

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 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 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.

**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/cursor-vs-codex._