SOP-005: Inline Edit (Cmd+K)

Document Control

Field	Value
SOP ID	SOP-005
Version	1.0
Status	Active
Last Updated	2024-12

Purpose

This SOP covers using Cursor's Inline Edit feature (Cmd+K) to edit code directly in your editor using natural language.

Scope

• Selection editing
• Code generation
• Quick questions
• Full file edits

Prerequisites

• Cursor installed and configured
• Active code file open

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Procedure

Inline Edit Overview

Two Starting Points:

Mode	When to Use
Edit Selection	Code is selected → modify it
Generate	No selection → create new code at cursor

Shortcut: Cmd+K / Ctrl+K opens the input bar

Three Actions:

Shortcut	Action
Enter	Apply changes
Alt+Enter	Quick Question (no changes)
Cmd+Shift+Enter	Full File Edit

Step 1: Edit Selected Code

Shortcut: Cmd+K / Ctrl+K

1. Select the code you want to modify
2. Press Cmd+K / Ctrl+K
3. Type your instruction (e.g., "add error handling")
4. Press Enter to apply

Example:

// Select this function:
function divide(a, b) {
  return a / b;
}

// Press Cmd+K, type: "add error handling for division by zero"
// Result:
function divide(a, b) {
  if (b === 0) {
    throw new Error('Cannot divide by zero');
  }
  return a / b;
}

Step 2: Generate New Code

Without any selection, Cmd+K generates code at your cursor position:

1. Place cursor where you want new code
2. Press Cmd+K / Ctrl+K
3. Type what you want to create
4. Press Enter

Example:

// Cursor is here, press Cmd+K
// Type: "create a function to validate email addresses"
// Result:
function validateEmail(email) {
  const emailRegex = /^[^\s@]+@[^\s@]+\.[^\s@]+$/;
  return emailRegex.test(email);
}

Context Awareness

Even without selection, Cursor considers surrounding code for context. If you're in a class, it generates class-appropriate code.

Step 3: Quick Question (Alt+Enter)

Ask questions about code without modifying it:

1. Select code (optional)
2. Press Cmd+K / Ctrl+K
3. Type your question
4. Press Alt+Enter (not regular Enter)

Quick Question Flow:

1. Select code (optional)
2. Press Cmd+K / Ctrl+K
3. Type your question
4. Press Alt+Enter
5. AI explains the code inline
6. Want to apply? Type "do it"

Example Questions:

• "What does this regex do?"
• "Is this function secure?"
• "How can I optimize this?"

Converting to Code: After getting an answer, type "do it" or "apply this" to convert the suggestion into actual code changes.

Step 4: Full File Edit (Cmd+Shift+Enter)

For comprehensive file-wide changes:

1. Press Cmd+K / Ctrl+K
2. Type your instruction
3. Press Cmd+Shift+Enter / Ctrl+Shift+Enter

Use Cases:

• "Convert all functions to arrow functions"
• "Add TypeScript types to all parameters"
• "Refactor to use async/await instead of promises"

Use with Caution

Full file edit modifies your entire file. Review changes carefully before accepting.

Step 5: Follow-Up Instructions

Refine results iteratively:

1. Initial Request: "add logging" → Result: console.log statements added
2. Follow-up: "use winston logger instead" → Result: Updated to use winston
3. Follow-up: "add timestamp to each log" → Result: Timestamps added

Just type additional instructions and press Enter. The AI remembers context from previous edits.

Step 6: Send to Chat (Cmd+L)

For complex multi-file changes:

1. Select code
2. Press Cmd+L / Ctrl+L
3. Code is sent to Agent Chat
4. Agent can then edit multiple files

---

Default Context

Inline Edit automatically includes:

Context Type	Description
Selected code	What you selected
Surrounding code	Context around selection
Recent changes	Your recent edits
Related files	Imported/related files
@ Mentions	Any @files or @docs you add

Adding More Context

Type @ in the inline edit prompt to add:

• @file.ts - Reference another file
• @Docs - Use documentation

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Keyboard Reference

Action	Shortcut
Open Inline Edit	Cmd+K / Ctrl+K
Apply changes	Enter
Cancel	Escape
Quick Question	Alt+Enter
Full File Edit	Cmd+Shift+Enter
Send to Chat	Cmd+L / Ctrl+L
Toggle input focus	Cmd+Shift+K

---

Best Practices

DO:

• Be specific in instructions ("add null check" → "add null check that throws Error")
• Select appropriate scope (too little = missing context, too much = unfocused changes)
• Use Quick Question first when unsure - understand before modifying
• Review diffs before accepting - AI can make mistakes

DON'T:

• Use for multi-file changes - use Agent Chat (Cmd+I) instead

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Verification Checklist

• [ ] Cmd+K opens inline edit prompt
• [ ] Edit selection modifies selected code
• [ ] Generate creates code at cursor without selection
• [ ] Alt+Enter triggers Quick Question mode
• [ ] Cmd+Shift+Enter triggers full file edit
• [ ] Follow-up instructions refine results
• [ ] Cmd+L sends to Agent Chat

Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
Cmd+K not working	Check for conflicting keybindings
Changes not applying	Press Enter, not just close prompt
Wrong modifications	Be more specific in instructions
Missing context	Add @mentions for relevant files
Full file edit too aggressive	Use selection edit instead

See Also

• SOP-004: Tab Autocomplete
• SOP-006: Agent Chat
• SOP-011: @ Mentions
• Keyboard Shortcuts