How to Run Multiple Cursor IDE Instances for Multi-Account Workflows

Managing multiple Cursor IDE accounts is a common challenge for developers who work across different organizations, freelance projects, or need to separate personal and professional workflows. The Cursor Kit instance command provides a powerful solution that enables you to run multiple Cursor instances simultaneously on macOS.

The Multi-Account Problem

Modern developers often face scenarios requiring multiple IDE accounts:

• Enterprise vs Personal — Using separate accounts for work and personal projects
• Freelance Work — Managing multiple client accounts with different access permissions
• Team Collaboration — Testing with different team member permissions
• API Quotas — Distributing AI assistant usage across multiple accounts

Without proper tooling, switching between accounts requires logging out and back in—a frustrating workflow that breaks your concentration.

Introducing Cursor Kit Instance

Cursor Kit's instance command creates isolated copies of Cursor IDE, each with its own identity and data directory. This means you can:

• Run multiple Cursor windows with different logged-in accounts
• Keep extensions and settings separate per instance
• Preserve all configurations when Cursor updates
• Create shell aliases for quick access

Getting Started

First, install Cursor Kit globally:

npm install -g cursor-kit-cli

Then create your first instance:

cursor-kit instance -a create -n "Cursor Work"

This command performs several operations behind the scenes:

1. Creates a copy of Cursor.app in ~/Applications/
2. Assigns a unique bundle identifier (e.g., com.cursor.cursorwork)
3. Creates a separate data directory in ~/Library/Application Support/
4. Re-signs the app with an ad-hoc signature

Creating Shell Aliases

One of the most powerful features is the ability to create shell aliases. Just like the cursor command opens files in Cursor, you can create custom commands for each instance:

# Create instance with alias in one command
cursor-kit instance -a create -n "Cursor Work" -A cursor-work
 
# Or add an alias to an existing instance
cursor-kit instance -a alias -n "Cursor Work" -A cursor-work

Now you can open projects directly in your work instance:

cursor-work ~/projects/enterprise-app
cursor-work .  # Open current directory

Alias Storage Options

Choose where to store your aliases based on your preferences:

Specify your preferred location:

cursor-kit instance -a create -n "Cursor Work" -A cursor-work --aliasLocation shell-config

Managing Your Instances

List All Instances

View all your configured instances and their aliases:

cursor-kit instance -l

Output:

● Cursor Enterprise (alias: cursor-work)
  └─ ~/Applications/Cursor Enterprise.app
● Cursor Personal (alias: cursor-personal)
  └─ ~/Applications/Cursor Personal.app

Reinstall After Updates

When Cursor releases an update, your instances need to be refreshed. The reinstall command preserves your data and settings:

cursor-kit instance -a reinstall -n "Cursor Work"

This ensures you always have the latest Cursor features while maintaining your separate instances.

Remove an Instance

Clean up instances you no longer need:

cursor-kit instance -a remove -n "Cursor Work"

You'll be prompted to also remove the associated shell alias.

Real-World Workflow Example

Here's a complete workflow for a developer managing enterprise and personal projects:

# Step 1: Create enterprise instance
cursor-kit instance -a create -n "Cursor Enterprise" -A cursor-enterprise
 
# Step 2: Create personal instance
cursor-kit instance -a create -n "Cursor Personal" -A cursor-personal
 
# Step 3: Open projects in the appropriate instance
cursor-enterprise ~/work/enterprise-saas
cursor-personal ~/personal/side-project
 
# Step 4: After Cursor updates, reinstall instances
cursor-kit instance -a reinstall -n "Cursor Enterprise"
cursor-kit instance -a reinstall -n "Cursor Personal"

Best Practices

1. Use Descriptive Names

Choose instance names that clearly indicate their purpose:

# Good
cursor-kit instance -a create -n "Cursor Client ABC"
cursor-kit instance -a create -n "Cursor OpenSource"
 
# Avoid
cursor-kit instance -a create -n "Cursor 2"

2. Consistent Alias Naming

Use a consistent pattern for aliases that's easy to remember:

cursor-work      # Work projects
cursor-personal  # Personal projects
cursor-client-x  # Specific client

3. Document Your Setup

Keep track of your instances in your dotfiles or notes:

# ~/.zshrc or documentation
# Cursor Instances:
# - cursor-enterprise: Work account (org@company.com)
# - cursor-personal: Personal account (me@gmail.com)

4. Regular Maintenance

After each Cursor update, remember to reinstall your instances:

cursor-kit instance -a reinstall -n "Cursor Enterprise"

Troubleshooting

Instance Won't Launch

If an instance fails to open after a Cursor update:

cursor-kit instance -a reinstall -n "Your Instance Name"

Alias Not Working

Ensure your shell configuration is sourced:

source ~/.zshrc  # For zsh users
source ~/.bashrc # For bash users

Permission Issues

For /usr/local/bin/ aliases, you may need sudo:

sudo cursor-kit instance -a alias -n "Instance" -A alias-name --aliasLocation usr-local-bin

Conclusion

Cursor Kit's instance command transforms how you work with multiple Cursor accounts. By creating isolated instances with custom shell aliases, you can seamlessly switch between different contexts without logging in and out.

Whether you're managing enterprise and personal projects, working with multiple clients, or simply want to organize your development workflows, this feature provides the flexibility you need.

Ready to get started? Install Cursor Kit today and create your first instance:

npm install -g cursor-kit-cli
cursor-kit instance -a create -n "My First Instance"

Cursor Kit is an open-source project that helps developers supercharge their AI IDE experience. Check out our GitHub repository for more features and updates.