# How to Use Oracle SQL Developer in Cursor IDE

If you work with Oracle Database and Oracle APEX, you have probably heard that **Oracle SQL Developer** is now available as an extension for Visual Studio Code. That is great news — until you realize that **Cursor**, the AI-powered editor many of us use daily, does not list that extension in its marketplace.

The good news: Cursor is built on the same extension API as VS Code, so you can install Oracle SQL Developer with a simple workaround. You just need to download the extension as a `.vsix` file from VS Code and import it into Cursor.

This post walks you through that process step by step.

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## Why This Matters for Oracle Developers

Oracle SQL Developer for VS Code is the modern successor to the classic desktop SQL Developer. It gives you:

*   Database connections and schema browsing
    
*   SQL and PL/SQL worksheets with IntelliSense
    
*   Data grids, exports, and object management
    
*   Integrated **SQLcl** terminal
    
*   Support for wallets, TNS, and Autonomous Database connections
    

For APEX developers, DBAs, and PL/SQL engineers, having these tools inside your primary editor — alongside AI assistance in Cursor — is a practical win. You stay in one environment for database work, APEX object scripts, and application code.

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## Why Cursor Does Not Show the Extension

Cursor uses the **Open VSX Registry** for its extension marketplace, not the official Visual Studio Marketplace. Oracle publishes SQL Developer on the VS Code Marketplace only, so a search for *"Oracle SQL Developer"* in Cursor returns outdated or unrelated results — not the current extension.

This is a marketplace limitation, not a technical blocker. Any editor that implements the VS Code Extension API (Cursor, VSCodium, Windsurf, and others) can install extensions from a `.vsix` file.

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## Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have:

1.  **Visual Studio Code** installed — [https://code.visualstudio.com/download](https://code.visualstudio.com/download)
    
2.  **Cursor** installed — [https://cursor.com](https://cursor.com)
    
3.  A stable internet connection to download the extension
    

You only need VS Code once to export the `.vsix` file. After that, you can use Cursor exclusively.

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## Step 1: Download the Extension as a VSIX File

Open **Visual Studio Code** and follow these steps:

1.  Open the **Extensions** view (`Ctrl+Shift+X` on Windows/Linux, `Cmd+Shift+X` on macOS).
    
2.  Search for `Oracle SQL Developer`.
    
3.  Select **Oracle SQL Developer Extension for VSCode** by **Oracle Corporation**.
    
4.  Right-click the extension and choose **Download VSIX** (or use the extension's overflow menu `⋯` → **Download VSIX**).
    
5.  When prompted, select your platform architecture (for example, **macOS ARM64** or **Windows x64**).
    
6.  Save the file — it will look something like:
    
    ```plaintext
    oracle.sql-developer-25.4.0-darwin-arm64.vsix
    ```
    

> **Tip:** Keep the `.vsix` file in a known folder. You will need it again if you reinstall Cursor or set up a new machine.

**Marketplace link (reference):**  
[Oracle SQL Developer Extension for VS Code](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=Oracle.sql-developer)

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## Step 2: Install the VSIX File in Cursor

Now switch to **Cursor**:

1.  Open **Cursor**.
    
2.  Open the **Command Palette** (`Ctrl+Shift+P` / `Cmd+Shift+P`).
    
3.  Type and select:
    
    ```plaintext
    Extensions: Install from VSIX...
    ```
    
4.  Browse to the `.vsix` file you downloaded in Step 1.
    
5.  Click **Install** and wait for the installation to complete.
    
6.  When prompted, **reload** or restart Cursor.
    

After restart, you should see the **SQL Developer** icon in the Activity Bar on the left side.

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## Step 3: Verify the Installation

Confirm everything is working:

1.  Click the **SQL Developer** icon in the sidebar.
    
2.  You should see **Connections** and **SQL Snippets** panels.
    
3.  Create a test connection:
    
    *   Click **+** to add a new connection
        
    *   Enter your host, port, service name, and credentials
        
    *   Click **Test**, then **Connect**
        
4.  Open a **Worksheet** and run a simple query:
    
    ```sql
    select sysdate from dual;
    ```
    

If the query runs and returns a result, the extension is installed correctly.

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## Troubleshooting

| Issue | What to try |
| --- | --- |
| Extension not visible after install | Restart Cursor completely (quit and reopen). |
| Platform error on install | Re-download the VSIX and select the correct architecture for your OS. |
| Connection fails | Verify network access, credentials, and whether a wallet or TNS entry is required. |
| SQLcl terminal not starting | Confirm the extension activated fully; check Cursor's Output panel for errors. |

If problems persist, refer to the official Oracle documentation:  
[Installing Oracle SQL Developer for VS Code](https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/sql-developer-vscode/)

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## References

*   [Oracle SQL Developer Extension — Visual Studio Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=Oracle.sql-developer)
    
*   [Oracle SQL Developer for VS Code — Official Documentation](https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/sql-developer-vscode/)
    
*   [Installing Oracle SQL Developer for VS Code](https://docs.oracle.com/en/database/oracle/sql-developer-vscode/25.4/sqdnx/installing-oracle-sql-developer-vs-code.html)