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slug title author status priority created source
cursor-ide-setup-guide Cursor IDE: The AI Code Editor That Actually Gets It Right (Setup + First Impressions) josh-mercer inbox MEDIUM 2026-01-10 seo-research-josh-mara-warmup

Idea

Discovery

Source: SEO Research for Josh & Mara warmup articles — 2026-01-10 Evidence:

  • "cursor ide" = 18,100 monthly searches (!!)
  • KD: 35 (MEDIUM — competitive but achievable for quality content)
  • Search intent: Informational/Navigational
  • Target audience: Developers curious about AI-native code editors, VS Code users considering switching, freelancers evaluating productivity tools

Why This Matters

Highest volume in Josh's keyword set:

  • 18,100 searches = massive interest
  • KD 35 = competitive but achievable
  • Cursor = trending AI code editor
  • Many developers exploring but haven't tried yet
  • Josh can share real client project experience

Content Angle

Title: "Cursor IDE: The AI Code Editor That Actually Gets It Right (Setup + First Impressions)"

Josh's Approach:

  • Practical first-time setup guide
  • Honest review after real usage
  • Cover installation, initial configuration, first week experience
  • Focus on what worked and what frustrated him
  • From perspective of fullstack developer on real client projects
  • "I tried this so you don't have to" vibe

Structure:

  1. Opening: "I spent last weekend trying Cursor. Everyone's talking about it. Here's what actually happened..."
  2. What is Cursor (brief overview)
  3. Installation walkthrough (Mac/Linux/Windows)
  4. Initial configuration that matters
  5. First project: what surprised me
  6. What works well (specific examples)
  7. What frustrated me (honest critique)
  8. VS Code comparison (readers want this)
  9. Is it worth switching? (practical answer)
  10. Closing: "Your mileage may vary, but here's what I found..."

Why This Works for Josh

Perfect fit for his voice:

  • "I tried X so you don't have to" format
  • Practical, no-BS evaluation
  • Real project usage (not just demo)
  • Startup background = productivity focus
  • Honest about frustrations
  • Helps readers decide without hype

Keywords Cluster

Keyword Vol KD Priority
cursor ide 18,100 35 PRIMARY
cursor ide review 880 — Include
cursor ide free 1,300 — FAQ
cursor ai code editor 1,000 — Synonym

Secondary Keywords

  • "cursor ide setup"
  • "how to install cursor"
  • "cursor vs vs code"
  • "is cursor ide worth it"

Key Points to Cover

Installation:

  • Platform-specific steps
  • Common errors Josh encountered
  • Dependencies needed
  • Initial setup time

Configuration:

  • Settings that matter from day 1
  • API key setup (if applicable)
  • Theme/extension migration from VS Code
  • Keyboard shortcuts

First Impressions:

  • What works immediately
  • Learning curve reality
  • Where it struggled on real code
  • Performance vs VS Code

Honest Assessment:

  • When Cursor shines
  • When it's frustrating
  • Who should switch
  • Who should wait

Content Format

Josh's Style:

  • Tutorial + honest review hybrid
  • Step-by-step with commentary
  • Include screenshots of actual usage
  • Real project examples
  • No overselling
  • "Three rabbit holes later..." honesty

Differentiation

Most Cursor content:

  • Overly promotional
  • Or generic feature lists
  • No sustained usage

Josh's angle:

  • "I used it on client work for a week"
  • Shows the gotchas and solutions
  • Practical productivity assessment
  • Honest about frustrations
  • Helps readers make informed decision

Strategic Value

Why This Article Matters:

  • Highest volume keyword in Josh's set (18.1k)
  • Establishes him as AI coding tool expert
  • Cursor is trending NOW — timely
  • Can reference in future tool comparisons
  • Builds authority through practical experience

Notes

  • KD 35 = competitive but Josh's authentic voice is differentiator
  • Cursor is hot right now — good timing
  • Many developers curious but haven't tried
  • "Is it worth switching from VS Code?" = key question
  • Setup guide + review = comprehensive value
  • Josh's startup experience = understands productivity tradeoffs

Related Content Opportunities

This can lead to:

  • "Cursor vs GitHub Copilot" (already in plan)
  • "Cursor vs Claude Code" comparison
  • "Best Cursor extensions"
  • Advanced Cursor workflows

Publication Priority

MEDIUM PRIORITY — Highest volume (18.1k) but medium KD (35). Should come after easier wins (Cursor vs Copilot) to build momentum, but before general listicles. Establishes Josh as Cursor expert for future comparison content.