Tab

Autocompletion with multi-line edits, cross-file suggestions, and context-aware code completions

Tab is a specialized Cursor model for autocompletion. The more you use it, the better it becomes as you inject intent by accepting Tab or rejecting Esc suggestions. With Tab, you can:

• Modify multiple lines at once
• Add import statements when missing
• Jump within and across files for coordinated edits
• Get suggestions based on recent changes, linter errors and accepted edits

Suggestions

When adding text, completions appear as semi-opaque ghost text. When modifying existing code, it shows as a diff popup right of your current line.

Accept suggestions with Tab, reject with Esc, or accept word-by-word using Ctrl+Arrow-Right. Keep typing or press Esc to hide suggestions.

Jump in file

Tab predicts your next editing location in the file and suggests jumps. After accepting an edit, press Tab again to jump to the next location.

Jump across files

Tab predicts context-aware edits across files. A portal window appears at the bottom when a cross-file jump is suggested.

Auto-import

In TypeScript and Python, Tab automatically adds import statements when missing. Use a method from another file and Tab suggests the import. Accepting adds it without disrupting your flow.

If auto-import isn’t working:

• Ensure your project has the right language server or extensions
• Test with Ctrl+. to check if the import appears in Quick Fix suggestions

Tab in Peek

Tab works in Go to Definition or Go to Type Definition peek views. Useful for modifying function signatures and fixing call sites.

In Vim, use with gd to jump to definitions, modify, and resolve references in one flow.

Partial Accepts

Accept one word at a time with Ctrl+Arrow-Right, or set your keybinding via editor.action.inlineSuggest.acceptNextWord. Enable in: Cursor Settings → Tab.

Settings

Setting	Description
Cursor Tab	Context-aware, multi-line suggestions around your cursor based on recent edits
Partial Accepts	Accept the next word of a suggestion via Ctrl+Arrow-Right
Suggestions While Commenting	Enable Tab inside comment blocks
Whitespace-Only Suggestions	Allow edits affecting only formatting
Imports	Enable auto-import for TypeScript
Auto Import for Python (beta)	Enable auto-import for Python projects

Toggling

Use the status bar (bottom-right) to:

• Snooze: Temporarily disable Tab for a chosen duration
• Disable globally: Disable Tab for all files
• Disable for extensions: Disable Tab for specific file extensions (e.g., markdown or JSON)

FAQ

Tab gets in the way when writing comments, what can I do?

Disable Tab for comments by going to Cursor Settings → Tab Completion and unchecking Trigger in comments.

Can I change the keyboard shortcut for Tab suggestions?

Remap accepting and rejecting suggestions to any key using Accept Cursor Tab Suggestions in Keyboard Shortcuts settings.

How does Tab generate suggestions?

Cursor includes a small part of relevant code in the context window. The context is encryped and sent to our backend. The backend decrypts the securely reads the context. Then, the Cursor Tab model predicts a code suggestion, and returns it to the client to display in editor.