# Flux vs Cursor: Keep Cursor for the code. Give the hardware to Flux. Flux vs Cursor for hardware design. Cursor is an AI code editor. Flux is an AI hardware engineer for the schematic, PCB, mechanical parts, and firmware. Cursor makes your developers faster in a code repository. A device needs more than code. It needs parts data, a schematic, a routed board, mechanical parts, simulation, and manufacturing files. In Flux, an AI hardware engineer does this work in one live project in the browser, and your engineers work in the same project. [Start Free Trial](https://www.flux.ai/signup) [Book a Demo](https://www.flux.ai/p/demo) ![Flux editor: the AI engineer plans and delegates tasks while the 3D view shows the complete device: enclosure, circuit board, and wiring](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-hero-device.webp) ## What Flux and Cursor are ### What Flux is Flux turns a hardware requirement into a connected device design. Its AI hardware engineer works across parts, circuits, board layout, mechanical design, and firmware in one browser project. Flux checks the design and provides manufacturing files. ### What Cursor is Cursor is an AI code editor and coding agent. Developers use it to understand a codebase, plan and build features, fix bugs, and review changes.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) Cursor Agent edits files, runs terminal commands, and searches the codebase and the web. Cloud agents do the same work in isolated virtual machines and push the changes to your repository.[\[3\]](#compare-source-3) ## What Cursor does ### Agent in the editor Cursor Agent completes coding tasks on its own. It edits code, runs terminal commands, and controls a browser to test the result.[\[3\]](#compare-source-3) ### Cloud agents in parallel Cloud agents run in isolated virtual machines with a full development environment. You can run many at the same time and start them from the web, Slack, GitHub, Linear, or the API.[\[4\]](#compare-source-4) ### Rules and MCP servers Project rules, team rules, and AGENTS.md files give the agent your instructions. MCP servers connect it to outside tools and data.[\[5\]](#compare-source-5) ## Cursor edits files. Flux designs the device. Cursor reads and changes the files in a repository. To get a board from Cursor, you find a hardware tool that it can control, write scripts for that tool, and check each output yourself. Each outside tool also needs its own license or account. Flux starts with the hardware tools built in: a schematic and PCB editor, mechanical CAD, 734,000+ public parts with live distributor data, simulation, design rule checks, imports from other CAD and EDA tools, and manufacturing files. The AI hardware engineer uses these tools directly, so design work starts on the first prompt. Flux is model agnostic. It opens in a web browser and saves each project in the cloud. ![A board in a green 3D-printed enclosure on an electronics bench](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/compare-photo-1008387.webp) A Flux board and its enclosure, shown together. Flux compared with Cursor | Feature | Flux | Cursor | | --- | --- | --- | | Requirements and specification | The AI engineer turns your idea into requirements and a product specification, and checks the design against them. | Writes plans and code from your prompt.[\[3\]](#compare-source-3) | | What it is | AI hardware engineer with electronics and mechanical design tools | AI code editor and coding agent[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Where it runs | Runs in a browser. Projects stay in the cloud. | The Cursor desktop editor, the command line, and cloud agents that you start from the web, mobile, Slack, GitHub, or Linear[\[4\]](#compare-source-4) | | Who does the design work | The Flux agent. Your engineers review and edit. | Developers give the agent software tasks.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Schematic and parts | Built in, with 734,000+ public parts | Not built in. You connect outside tools and part data with scripts.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Board layout and routing | Board layout and routing are part of the project | Not built in. You connect an outside board tool with scripts.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Placement and routing | The AI engineer places the parts and routes the board like an experienced designer. Your engineers review and edit. | No built-in PCB trace-routing tools.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | High-speed design | The AI engineer plans DDR topology and timing budgets, routes differential pairs and length-matched buses, tunes length and skew, fans out BGAs with blind, buried, and microvias, and sets trace impedance from your stackup. It checks the routed board with S-parameters, TDR, eye diagrams, crosstalk analysis, and a signal integrity, power integrity, and EMC review. Your engineers review and edit. | No built-in PCB signal-integrity analysis.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Parts and sourcing | 734,000+ public parts, with live prices and stock from distributors | No built-in electronics parts library.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Simulation and design rule checks | Circuit, power and signal integrity, electromagnetic, thermal, and mechanical simulation. Flux also checks design rules. | Not built in. You connect outside simulators with scripts.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Firmware | Writes firmware for the designed board | Writes code, including firmware[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Wiring harnesses | Built in. Flux designs the wiring harnesses between the boards: connectors, pinouts, and wires, in the same project. | No built-in wire-harness design tools.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Manufacturing files | Gerber, ODB++, IPC-2581, bill of materials, pick-and-place, and other manufacturing files. Flux checks copper gaps, silkscreen, board outlines, bills of materials, and pick-and-place files. | Not built in. Your scripts or outside tools write the files.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Quotes and orders | Quotes and orders for boards, 3D printing, CNC machining, and wire harnesses, from the project. | No built-in hardware quoting or ordering workflow.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Import from other tools | Imports complete projects from Altium, OrCAD and Allegro, KiCad, PADS and Xpedition, CADSTAR, Eagle, Fusion Electronics, EasyEDA, DipTrace, and SOLIDWORKS PCB. Flux imports Labcenter Proteus SDF netlists with Specctra board exports. IPC-2581 revision B and C files become board projects with reusable footprint parts. IDF 2.0 and 3.0 board files become board projects with the outline, cutouts, drilled and mounting holes, part placements, and 3D part heights. | No built-in EDA project importer.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Versions, branches, and merges | Full change history. The AI engineer forks a design into a second version, keeps both, and merges the changes that you pick. | No native hardware design version history.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Who reviews the work | Engineers and reviewers work in the same live project across electronics, mechanics, and firmware | Developers review the code changes and pull requests[\[4\]](#compare-source-4) | | Product images, videos, and documents | Product images, product videos, datasheets, and regulatory documents, made from the design in the project. | Writes documentation and code, and generates images from text[\[3\]](#compare-source-3) | | Mechanical CAD | Mechanical design stays connected to the board | Not built in. You connect an outside CAD kernel with scripts.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Mechanical simulation | Finite-element stress, thermal, and airflow simulation | No mechanical simulation workspace.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | Mechanical manufacturing | STEP, STL, and 3MF files, plus quotes for 3D printing, CNC machining, sheet metal, and laser cutting | No CNC manufacturing workspace.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | CNC toolpaths and G-code | The AI engineer writes the toolpaths, the G-code, a toolpath preview, and a setup sheet for the parts that it designed. | No CNC toolpath or G-code workflow.[\[1\]](#compare-source-1) | | AI models | Frontier models from several providers, including Claude and OpenAI | Cursor models and frontier models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and other providers[\[2\]](#compare-source-2) | | Tool licenses | No extra tool licenses to buy. The editor, mechanical CAD, parts data, simulation, and manufacturing outputs come with your Flux plan. | Each outside tool needs its own license or account, for example a Fusion 360 license[\[7\]](#compare-source-7) | | Team knowledge and rules | Teams can record design rules and preferred parts once. Flux applies that guidance across projects. | Project rules, team rules, and AGENTS.md files[\[5\]](#compare-source-5) | | Parallel work | One AI hardware engineer keeps related design work in a shared project and shows its progress to the team. | Many cloud agents at the same time, each in its own virtual machine[\[4\]](#compare-source-4) | Orchestration ## Keep each discipline connected to one brief. Give Flux a product requirement. The board, enclosure, and firmware stay linked while your team reviews the work. ### Start with the product Flux keeps the electrical and mechanical work tied to the same design goal. ### Move work forward together Teams can progress on the board and physical parts in the same Flux project. ### Review a shared design Inspect the project and its status from one live workspace. ### Keep decisions with the project Comments, revisions, and design context stay available to the team. Example ### A board and enclosure Keep the board outline, mounting holes, connectors, and enclosure openings in one project. Engineers can review the electrical and mechanical design together. Built for teams ## Give the team one live hardware project. Engineers and reviewers can work in Flux from a browser and share the same design. - ### Shared projects Keep designs, revisions, and comments in one cloud workspace. - ### Shared engineering context Keep team parts, design rules, and past decisions with the project. - ### AI support for the team Review the AI hardware engineer's work and continue from a teammate's project. - ### Browser-based access Open a project link and work without installing local CAD software. - ### Talk to Flux Speak with the AI hardware engineer from a computer or phone. ![Engineer holding a finished board in its enclosure, designed with Flux](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/engineer-card-3.webp) Customizable ## Apply your team's engineering standards. Give Flux your design guidance and connect the services your team uses. ### Team knowledge Record design guidance and approved parts for the team to use across projects. ### Your rules Set layout requirements and fabricator limits, then check designs against them. ### Connected services Connect existing tools to Flux with MCP servers and web APIs. ### Protected keys Admins can manage organization API keys without exposing them to the AI hardware engineer. ### Interactive project pages Create a live page for a power budget, bring-up checklist, or 3D assembly. ### Use Flux with Cursor Connect Cursor or another MCP-compatible agent to read and modify Flux projects and assign design work to Flux. Connect the services your team already uses. - ![Onshape](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/onshape.svg) Onshape - ![Autodesk Fusion](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/autodesk-mark.svg) Autodesk Fusion - ![PTC Windchill](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/ptc.svg) PTC Windchill - ![Siemens Teamcenter](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/siemens.svg) Siemens Teamcenter - ![Arena PLM](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/arena.svg) Arena PLM - ![OpenBOM](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/openbom.svg) OpenBOM - ![Duro](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/duro.png) Duro - ![GitHub](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/github.svg) GitHub - ![GitLab](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/gitlab.svg) GitLab - ![Memfault](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/memfault-wordmark.svg) Memfault - ![Golioth](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/golioth.svg) Golioth - ![Particle](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/particle.svg) Particle - ![Nordic nRF Cloud](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/nordicsemiconductor.svg) Nordic nRF Cloud - ![Edge Impulse](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/edgeimpulse.svg) Edge Impulse - ![NI SystemLink](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/ni.svg) NI SystemLink - ![SimScale](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/simscale.svg) SimScale - ![Octopart](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/octopart.png) Octopart - ![SiliconExpert](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/siliconexpert.svg) SiliconExpert ## Take a hardware brief from circuit to device ### Design the complete product Keep electronics, mechanical parts, and firmware together in one project. ### Work in one browser workspace Open a project in a browser. Your team can review the current design without installing CAD software. ### Start with engineering tools ready Circuit and board editors, mechanical CAD, simulations, checks, imports, and manufacturing outputs are part of Flux. ### Select from current parts data Flux includes 734,000+ public parts and live distributor price and stock information. ### Review design checks in context Use simulation, design rule checks, and datasheet verification before engineers review the design. ### Keep the team on one project Engineers and reviewers share the same live project with organization and project access controls. Model-agnostic AI ## Flux is model agnostic Flux does not lock you into one AI lab. It runs Claude, OpenAI, and other frontier models. Adaptive model selection matches each engineering task with the lowest-cost model that can do it well, so you get frontier-level results at a lower cost. - OpenAI - Anthropic - Google Gemini - More as they ship Adaptive model selection ### Frontier performance at 30% lower cost. Flux selects a model for each engineering task with capability and cost in view. Your team works with one AI hardware engineer in the same project. ### Frontier AI models - Reasoning - Planning - Language ### Flux engineering harness - CAD and EDA tools - Project context - Simulation - Design rules ### Working hardware - Schematics - Boards - Enclosures - Firmware - Fab files - Product videos ### Choose from several providers Use frontier models from multiple providers in the Flux workspace. ### Keep design tools in reach Models work with Flux project context, design tools, and standard hardware workflows. ### Adopt newer models in place Your team can use updated models without moving projects to a different design environment. ### Keep provider choice open Flux works with models from multiple providers, so projects do not depend on one model vendor. ### Match models to engineering work Adaptive model selection considers capability and cost for each engineering task. One platform ## One AI engineer for every part of the product. Flux carries a hardware requirement through electrical and mechanical design in one project. 1. ![USB-C power input schematic in Flux](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-usbc-power-schematic.webp) ### [Electrical engineering](https://www.flux.ai/p/eda) Select parts, create schematics, and simulate circuits from the product requirement. 2. ![Routed board layout of the ESP32 x86 PC in Flux](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-x86-layout.webp) ### PCB layout Place and route components, define board layers, and check design rules. 3. ![Boards, enclosure, and mounts in one model](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-device-cutaway.webp) ### [Mechanical design](https://www.flux.ai/p/mcad) Create enclosures, brackets, and mounts that fit board holes and connectors. Import STEP models and use shared parts data for chips, screws, and standoffs. 4. ![STM32 current-loop firmware that Flux wrote and compiled, in a syntax-highlighted code block](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-stm32-current-loop-firmware.webp) ### Firmware Write firmware for the board, then build, analyze, and unit test it. 5. ![Bill of materials with stock and pricing](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-bom-stock-pricing.webp) ### Manufacturing Source parts, request fabrication quotes, and prepare files for boards, assemblies, and cables. ![Close-up of the ESP32 x86 PC board, marked Made with Flux](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/compare-photo-1009063.webp) A Flux board and its enclosure, shown together. Verification lab ## Check the design before manufacturing. Flux checks designs with engineering simulation and design rules before it provides manufacturing files. ### Circuit simulation Run SPICE analysis for analog, power, and mixed-signal circuits. ### Electromagnetic simulation Analyze impedance, S-parameters, crosstalk, and antenna behavior on routed boards. ### Thermal simulation Study heat and airflow around boards and inside enclosures. ### Fluid simulation Analyze airflow and cooling in an enclosure before a prototype is built. ### Mechanical simulation Check stress in brackets, enclosures, and mounting parts. ### Design rule checks Check schematics and boards against electrical and manufacturing rules. ### Datasheet verification Check part choices against datasheet pinouts, ratings, and operating limits. ![SPICE load step of a 3.3 V buck converter](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/verification-lab-spice-load-step.webp) SPICE load step of a 3.3 V buck converter ![Thermal map of top and bottom copper](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/verification-lab-copper-thermal.webp) Thermal map of top and bottom copper ![Stress analysis of an aluminum bracket](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/verification-lab-bracket-stress.webp) Stress analysis of an aluminum bracket ![S-parameters of a USB data line, simulated on the routed board](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/verification-lab-usb-line-s-parameters.webp) S-parameters of a USB data line, simulated on the routed board Sourcing ## Source parts for the complete device. Flux checks live distributor data and supports parts selection for electronics and mechanical design. - ![Digi-Key](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/digikey.svg) Digi-Key - ![LCSC](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/lcsc.svg) LCSC - ![Mouser](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/mouser.svg) Mouser - ![Arrow](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/arrow.svg) Arrow - ![Verical](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/verical.svg) Verical - ![TME](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/tme-wordmark.svg) TME - ![HQonline](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/hqonline.svg) HQonline - ![McMaster-Carr](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/mcmaster.svg) McMaster-Carr - ![MISUMI](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/misumi-wordmark.webp) MISUMI - ![JLCMC](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/jlcmc.svg) JLCMC Manufacturing ## Prepare manufacturing outputs with the design. Request live quotes for board fabrication, assembly, cables, and mechanical processes as the design changes. ### Circuit boards and assembly - ![JLCPCB](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/jlcpcb.webp) JLCPCB - ![PCBWay](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/pcbway.svg) PCBWay - ![OSH Park](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/oshpark.webp) OSH Park - ![AISLER](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/aisler.webp) AISLER ### Mechanical parts - ![Craftcloud](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/craftcloud.svg) Craftcloud - ![JLC 3D printing](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/jlcpcb.webp) JLC 3D printing - ![PCBWay 3D printing](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/pcbway.svg) PCBWay 3D printing - ![Shapeways](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/shapeways.svg) Shapeways - ![OSH Cut](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/oshcut.svg) OSH Cut - ![SendCutSend](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/sendcutsend.svg) SendCutSend ### Cables and wiring harnesses - ![MiniProto](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/teams-logos/miniproto.webp) MiniProto ## Use Cursor and Flux together You do not have to choose. Cursor connects to MCP servers, and Flux has one. From Cursor, your developers can read and edit Flux projects and give design tasks to the Flux AI engineer. Your developers keep Cursor for the software, and the hardware work goes to Flux.[\[8\]](#compare-source-8) ## Keep your designs under your control. - SOC 2-aligned cloud infrastructure - Single sign-on for your organization - Project-level access permissions - Design inputs and outputs remain your intellectual property - Flux does not train on customer data ## Flux pricing - ### Explore See current pricing Trial terms depend on your current offer. - ### Build See current pricing Trial terms depend on your current offer. - ### Pro See current pricing Trial terms depend on your current offer. - ### Teams See current pricing Teams subscriptions start paid. Eligible individual plans include a free trial. Teams subscriptions start paid; trial and pricing terms depend on your current offer. [See all plans](https://www.flux.ai/p/pricing) ## When to use which Use Cursor to write and change software in your code repositories. Use Flux when the deliverable is a board, its mechanical parts, and its firmware, ready to manufacture. ## Questions ### Can Cursor design a circuit board? Yes, but you build the setup yourself. You choose outside design tools, pay for their licenses, and write the scripts that connect Cursor to them. Then you check each result and fix the scripts when a tool changes. Flux gives its AI hardware engineer its own schematic and PCB editor, mechanical CAD, part library, simulation, design rule checks, and manufacturing outputs. ### Can I use Cursor and Flux together? Yes. Cursor connects to MCP servers, and Flux has one. From Cursor, you can read and change Flux projects and give design tasks to the Flux AI engineer. ### Which AI models does Flux use? Flux does not tie you to one model provider. It uses Claude, OpenAI, and other frontier models. Adaptive model selection matches each engineering task with the lowest-cost model that can do it well. ### Do I need to install Flux? No. You open Flux in a web browser, and there is no software to install. Flux saves your projects in the cloud. ### Can I use Flux without installing software? Yes. Flux runs in a browser. New capabilities and models become available automatically. ### Can engineers work together in one project? Yes. Teammates can open a shared project and edit together. Single sign-on and project permissions control access. ### Does Flux train on my designs? No. Flux does not train AI models on customer data. Your inputs and outputs stay your IP. ![](https://www.flux.ai/p/assets/homepage-v2/compare-photo-1008482.webp) ## Move from a product brief to a hardware project. Review plan options for your team or schedule a demo with Flux. [Start Free Trial](https://www.flux.ai/signup) [Book a Demo](https://www.flux.ai/p/demo) ## Sources 1. Cursor documentation: [https://cursor.com/docs](https://cursor.com/docs) 2. Cursor models and pricing: [https://cursor.com/docs/models-and-pricing](https://cursor.com/docs/models-and-pricing) 3. Cursor Agent: [https://cursor.com/docs/agent/overview](https://cursor.com/docs/agent/overview) 4. Cursor cloud agents: [https://cursor.com/docs/cloud-agent](https://cursor.com/docs/cloud-agent) 5. Cursor rules: [https://cursor.com/docs/rules](https://cursor.com/docs/rules) 6. Cursor MCP: [https://cursor.com/docs/mcp](https://cursor.com/docs/mcp) 7. Autodesk Fusion pricing: [https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/pricing](https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/pricing) 8. Flux MCP server setup for Cursor: [https://docs.flux.ai/account/flux-mcp-server](https://docs.flux.ai/account/flux-mcp-server)