The past few days have brought some interesting developments in the AI coding space.
GitHub: Doubling Down on Integration
GitHub, with the launch of Agents HQ, is leaning into what they do best: a tight AI integration within the developer ecosystem we already use, leveraging their code repository advantage.
They don’t necessarily need to train their own models right now — their real value lies in context and integration, in a way that only GitHub can provide.
Pricing also looks competitive, with clear quotas and generous tiers. That suggests they’re comfortable operating on thinner margins to consolidate their leadership position.
After a year where Copilot felt somewhat forgotten by many developers, it will be interesting to see if this marks a real resurgence in GitHub’s relevance.
Cursor: Speed and a New Model
Cursor, on the other hand, is taking a different path. Their new Mixture of Experts model (an evolution of the “Cheetah,” which had quietly been available as a free “stealth” model until recently) puts speed front and center.
This approach also signals a strategic move: building proprietary assets and reducing dependency on third-party APIs — a path toward better margins and more control.
Cursor 2.0: A Fresh UI
Alongside the new model, Cursor 2.0 also ships with a redesigned UI. It feels more polished and professional, streamlining advanced workflows while keeping the focus on speed. The combination of a new engine and a smoother interface makes it clear Cursor is betting on experience as much as raw performance.
Two Complementary Strategies
Both GitHub and Cursor are playing to their strengths:
- Cursor is carving out independence and differentiation through speed and ownership.
- GitHub is reinforcing its position by embedding AI into the tools developers already live in.
Two strategies that make sense — but also set the stage for an intriguing rivalry in the months ahead.
