How to Sync Cursor and Claude Code Settings

If you use AI-assisted development tools, you likely have configurations spread across multiple applications: Cursor IDE has settings and keybindings, Claude Desktop has MCP server configurations, and Claude Code has its own settings and credentials. None of these tools sync with each other, and none have built-in cross-machine sync.

Setting up a new machine means reconfiguring each tool individually. MCP server definitions are particularly painful to recreate because they involve server URLs, API keys, and specific parameter configurations that you set up once and then forget about.

Cursor is a VS Code fork with built-in AI features. Unlike VS Code, Cursor does not have built-in settings sync. Your settings, keybindings, and extensions only exist on the machine where you configured them.

This tracks the key Cursor configuration files:

Your AI model preferences, editor theme, custom keybindings, and all other settings are captured. On a new machine, pull your ConfigSync snapshot and Cursor is configured exactly as you left it.

Claude Desktop stores its configuration including MCP (Model Context Protocol) server definitions in a JSON config file. MCP servers extend Claude with tools like file system access, database queries, web browsing, and custom integrations.

The config file is encrypted automatically because it often contains API keys and server URLs for MCP integrations:

Claude Code (the CLI tool for Claude) has its own configuration, credentials, and keybindings. It also supports project-level CLAUDE.md files that define instructions for Claude when working in a specific codebase.

This tracks several files with appropriate security:

Your Claude Code credentials are encrypted, while settings and your global CLAUDE.md instructions are stored as plain text since they contain no secrets. On a new machine, pulling restores your authentication so you can start using Claude Code immediately without re-logging in.

The real power is syncing your entire AI toolchain in one push. Here is the complete setup:

One pull on a new machine and your entire AI development environment is ready. Cursor opens with your settings. Claude Desktop has all your MCP servers configured. Claude Code is authenticated and has your global instructions loaded.

AI tools do not exist in isolation. You probably also need your shell, editor, git config, and SSH keys. ConfigSync modules compose naturally:

From unboxing a new laptop to a fully configured development environment with all your AI tools, editor settings, shell customizations, and credentials in place. That is the goal, and ConfigSync gets you there in minutes instead of hours.