PlanToCode vsCursor Agents

Architectural planning vs editor-first AI

Feature Comparison

FeaturePlanToCodeCursor Agents
Context AwarenessFull project architecture mappingIndexed codebase context (Codebase Indexing), multi-file edits, Agent Terminal and Shell Mode with approvals/allowlists.
Execution ControlPlan review and approval workflowAutonomous edits and terminal execution with review/diff flow and optional approvals/allowlists.
Plan ReviewMulti-step plan generation and reviewReview/diff UI, checkpoints, and apply workflow for multi-file changes
Cross-File ChangesCoordinated multi-file planningAgent/tool-driven multi-file edits
Terminal IntegrationNative terminal with AI plansShared agent terminal and Shell/Agent modes; background agents can run in remote environments (tmux). Persistence behavior depends on agent/editor context.

Key Pain Points Solved

Problem: Cursor agents work file-by-file without architectural view

Solution: Full project context with dependency mapping

Problem: No review process before changes are made

Solution: Generate, review, approve, then execute plans

Problem: Limited to editor context and workflows

Solution: Terminal-native with broader system integration

Comparison Workflow

  1. 1. Compare architectural vs editor-first approach
  2. 2. Show cross-file coordination benefits
  3. 3. Demonstrate plan review workflow
  4. 4. Highlight terminal integration

Why Choose PlanToCode?

PlanToCode takes a planning-first approach to AI-assisted development. Instead of generating code immediately, we help you create detailed implementation plans that you can review, edit, and approve before execution.

The Planning-First Workflow

  1. 1. Describe your goal - Use natural language or voice input
  2. 2. AI generates implementation plan - File-by-file breakdown with exact paths
  3. 3. Review and refine - Edit the plan, catch issues early
  4. 4. Execute with confidence - Hand off to your preferred tool (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.)

When to Use Each Tool

Use PlanToCode When:

  • • Working in large/complex codebases
  • • Need to review changes before execution
  • • Want to prevent duplicate files and wrong paths
  • • Require approval workflows for teams
  • • Working across multiple AI models

Use Cursor Agents When:

  • • Need immediate code generation
  • • Working on smaller projects
  • • Comfortable with direct execution
  • • Prefer integrated development environment

Try Architectural Planning

Experience the planning-first approach to AI-assisted development

Last updated: November 2025. This comparison is based on publicly available information and hands-on testing. Both tools serve different purposes and can complement each other in a comprehensive development workflow.

vsCursor Agents - AI Planning Tool Comparison | PlanToCode