Cursor BYOK: using your own API key in Cursor
Updated · 2 min read
Cursor is one of the most popular AI code editors, and searches for "Cursor BYOK" grew about eightfold over the past year. Cursor does let you use your own API keys, but with clear limits. Here is how to set it up, what you get, and which coding tools go further.
How to add your key in Cursor
- Open Cursor Settings → Models.
- Find your provider: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Azure or AWS Bedrock.
- Paste your API key and click Save.
- Pick one of that provider's models in the model picker.
If the provider rejects the key, requests to it fail until you fix or remove the key. Don't have a key yet? See Claude, OpenAI or Gemini.
Provider details from Cursor's documentation:
| Provider | What your key covers |
|---|---|
| OpenAI | Standard, non-reasoning chat models |
| Anthropic | Claude models available through the Anthropic API |
| Gemini models through the Google AI API | |
| Azure OpenAI | Models deployed in your own Azure OpenAI instance |
| AWS Bedrock | Access keys in the IDE, or IAM roles set up in the Cursor dashboard |
What uses your key, and what doesn't
- Uses your key: chat models you select in the model picker.
- Doesn't: tab completion keeps using Cursor's built-in models.
- Billing: on individual plans, requests on your own key don't draw on the plan's included usage. On Teams and Enterprise plans Cursor adds its Token Rate of $0.25 per million tokens on eligible models.
Cursor's pricing page (2026-10-23) lists Free, Plus ($8/month), Premium ($30), Super ($100) and Ultra ($200) plans, and says third-party models stay available in Cursor at API list price.
The privacy trade-off
Your key is not stored on Cursor's servers, but it is sent to Cursor's backend with every request, because requests are routed through Cursor. Cursor's Zero Data Retention policy does not apply to requests made with your own key; your provider's privacy policy does. If your team depends on Zero Data Retention, Cursor recommends its built-in models.
When you want full BYOK
If you want every AI request, including completions, to go straight from your machine to your provider (or to a local model), use a tool built around your own key. These are all listed on BYOKList and were checked on 2026-10-23:
- Cline and Kilo Code: open-source coding agents for VS Code (and VS Code-based editors), JetBrains IDEs and the terminal, with many providers and local models.
- Zed: a fast open-source editor whose agent works with Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, OpenRouter, DeepSeek and local models; keys stay in your system keychain.
- Aider and OpenCode: terminal coding agents that work with any major provider.
- JetBrains AI Assistant: works in JetBrains IDEs with your own Anthropic, OpenAI or Google key, or local models, without a JetBrains AI subscription.
Many of these also work with local models through Ollama or LM Studio, or with a single OpenRouter key for every model.
Coding tools with full BYOK
VisitJetBrains AI Assistant
Works with your own key; JetBrains AI plans optional · JetBrains
AI chat, code generation and completion inside JetBrains IDEs. Connect your own Anthropic, OpenAI or Gemini key, or local models.
Works with:AnthropicOpenAIGoogle GeminiGoogle Vertex AI+2 more
Questions
Does Cursor support bring your own key?
Yes, for chat models. In Cursor Settings → Models you can add keys for OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Azure OpenAI and AWS Bedrock, and those providers' models appear in the model picker.
Does tab completion use my key?
No. Cursor's documentation says tab completion keeps using Cursor's built-in models.
Do I need a paid Cursor plan for BYOK?
Cursor's API key documentation doesn't say a paid plan is required. It notes that on individual plans, requests on your own key don't draw on the plan's included usage, while Teams and Enterprise plans add a Cursor Token Rate of $0.25 per million tokens on eligible models.
Is my code private when I use my own key?
Your requests still go through Cursor's servers, and Cursor's Zero Data Retention policy does not apply to them; your provider's privacy policy does. Cursor recommends its built-in models if your team relies on Zero Data Retention.
Which editors use my key for everything?
Open-source agents such as Cline, Kilo Code, Aider and OpenCode, and the Zed editor, send all AI requests with your own key (or to local models). They are listed below.
Sources
Checked against the providers' own documentation on 2026-10-23. Prices and limits change; the links below have the current figures.