Cursor MCP context compression: setup guide

Why compress context in Cursor?

Agent mode reads files, runs terminal commands and calls MCP tools, and all of that output is sent back to the model on later steps. Large results use your usage allowance and crowd the window. Compressing them against the request keeps the relevant lines and drops the rest.

How do I set it up?

1. Install the CLI and run setup. Your browser opens to sign in.

   npm install -g supercompress-proxy && supercompress setup

2. Run supercompress doctor and check the Cursor row.
3. Restart Cursor. In Cursor's MCP settings, the supercompress server should be listed with its tools.

What gets installed?

• An MCP entry in ~/.cursor/mcp.json with the compress_context, connect_account and usage_summary tools.
• Cursor hooks for large context.
• An always-on rule that tells the agent to compress bulky dumps before reasoning over them.

How do I use it day to day?

Mostly you do nothing: the rule and hooks prompt the agent to compress large output. You can also ask directly, for example "compress this test output for the failing auth test". The kept text is original lines, so file paths and error strings stay exact.

What else keeps Cursor context small?

• Turn off MCP servers you are not using; their tool definitions load every turn. See MCP context bloat.
• Start new chats for new tasks.
• Keep rules files short and specific.

More: reduce Cursor token usage.

Frequently asked questions

Does SuperCompress work with Cursor?

Yes. supercompress setup detects Cursor and writes an MCP server, hooks and a rule.

Do I need to paste an API key into Cursor?

No. Setup links your account through the browser and saves a coding agent key for you.

Does it change which model Cursor uses?

No. It only compresses context that the agent sends through it.

How do I uninstall it from Cursor?

Run supercompress uninstall, which removes the entries it added and restores backed-up configs.

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