Installing Cursor AI IDE on Ubuntu 24.04: Three Proven Methods to Solve the LibFuse Challenge

Master the installation of Cursor AI-powered IDE on Ubuntu 24.04 without breaking your system – complete guide with security considerations and troubleshooting

The rise of AI-powered development environments has transformed how modern developers write code, with Cursor emerging as a leading IDE that seamlessly integrates artificial intelligence into the coding workflow. However, installing Cursor on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS presents unique challenges that have frustrated countless developers and even led to system crashes when following outdated guides. The primary culprit? The notorious libfuse dependency issue that has evolved significantly with Ubuntu's latest release.

For businesses adopting AI-enhanced development tools, these installation challenges represent more than mere inconvenience—they translate to lost productivity, delayed project timelines, and potential system instability. ITECS has documented and tested three proven installation methods that safely deploy Cursor on Ubuntu 24.04, ensuring your development teams can leverage AI-powered coding without compromising system integrity.

⚠️ Critical Warning for Ubuntu 24.04 Users

NEVER install the 'fuse' package on Ubuntu 22.04 or later!

Installing fuse (not libfuse2) will remove critical system packages including:

gnome-desktop and gnome-shell extensions
ubuntu-desktop and ubuntu-desktop-minimal
nautilus file manager
xdg-desktop-portal components

This will render your desktop environment unusable, requiring system recovery or complete reinstallation.

Understanding the AppImage and LibFuse Challenge

Cursor distributes its Linux version as an AppImage—a portable application format designed to run on any Linux distribution without installation. AppImages traditionally rely on FUSE (Filesystem in Userspace) to mount themselves as a virtual filesystem before execution. This elegant solution becomes problematic in Ubuntu 24.04, which ships with FUSE 3 by default while AppImages require FUSE 2 libraries.

The confusion deepens because Ubuntu 24.04 renamed the required package from libfuse2 to libfuse2t64 as part of the 64-bit time transition. Many online guides still reference the old package name or, worse, recommend installing the 'fuse' package itself, which triggers catastrophic package conflicts. Our enterprise clients have reported numerous instances of system failures following outdated installation guides, highlighting the critical need for accurate, version-specific instructions.

Technical Background: FUSE Evolution in Ubuntu

Ubuntu 20.04-22.04: Uses libfuse2 package for FUSE 2 support
Ubuntu 24.04: Renamed to libfuse2t64 (64-bit time_t transition)
FUSE 3: Default in modern Ubuntu, incompatible with most AppImages
Parallel Installation: FUSE 2 and FUSE 3 can coexist safely

Prerequisites and System Requirements

Before proceeding with any installation method, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

System Requirements

✓ Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat) or later
✓ 64-bit x86_64 architecture (AMD64)
✓ Minimum 4GB RAM (8GB+ recommended)
✓ At least 2GB free disk space
✓ Active internet connection for downloads
✓ sudo privileges for system modifications

Verify Your System


# Check Ubuntu version
lsb_release -a

# Verify architecture
uname -m

# Check available disk space
df -h /

# Ensure wget and curl are installed
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y wget curl

Method 1: AppImage Extraction (No FUSE Required)

The extraction method represents the safest and most reliable approach for Ubuntu 24.04, completely bypassing FUSE dependencies. This method extracts the AppImage contents and runs Cursor directly from the extracted files, eliminating compatibility issues while maintaining full functionality.

✅ Advantages of the Extraction Method

• No FUSE dependencies required
• Completely safe for system integrity
• Faster startup times (no mounting overhead)
• Works on systems with restricted AppImage support
• Easier to integrate with system security policies

Step-by-Step Installation

Step 1: Download Cursor AppImage


# Create directory for Cursor
mkdir -p ~/Applications/cursor
cd ~/Applications/cursor

# Download latest Cursor AppImage
wget -O cursor.AppImage "https://downloader.cursor.sh/linux/appImage/x64"

# Make it executable
chmod +x cursor.AppImage

Step 2: Extract AppImage Contents


# Extract without running
./cursor.AppImage --appimage-extract

# Move extracted files to permanent location
mkdir -p ~/.local/bin/cursor
mv squashfs-root/* ~/.local/bin/cursor/

# Clean up
rm -rf squashfs-root

Step 3: Fix Chrome Sandbox Permissions


# Required for Electron apps to run properly
sudo chown root:root ~/.local/bin/cursor/chrome-sandbox
sudo chmod 4755 ~/.local/bin/cursor/chrome-sandbox

Step 4: Create Desktop Entry


# Create desktop entry
cat > ~/.local/share/applications/cursor.desktop << EOF
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Cursor AI IDE
Comment=AI-powered code editor
Exec=$HOME/.local/bin/cursor/cursor
Icon=$HOME/.local/bin/cursor/resources/app/resources/linux/code.png
Type=Application
Categories=Development;IDE;
Terminal=false
StartupWMClass=cursor
MimeType=text/plain;
EOF

# Update desktop database
update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications/

Step 5: Add Command Line Access


# Add to PATH (add to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc)
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin/cursor:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

# Create alias for convenience
echo 'alias cursor="~/.local/bin/cursor/cursor"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

# Test installation
cursor --version

Method 2: LibFuse2t64 Installation (Traditional AppImage)

For users preferring the traditional AppImage approach, installing the correct FUSE 2 library package enables standard AppImage execution. This method maintains the portability benefits of AppImages while requiring minimal system modifications.

⚠️ Important: Package Name Change

Ubuntu 24.04 uses libfuse2t64 instead of libfuse2. Using the wrong package name will result in "package not found" errors.

Installation Steps

Step 1: Install LibFuse2t64


# Update package index
sudo apt update

# Install the correct FUSE 2 library for Ubuntu 24.04
sudo apt install -y libfuse2t64

# Verify installation
dpkg -l | grep libfuse2t64

Step 2: Download and Prepare Cursor


# Download Cursor AppImage
cd ~/Downloads
wget -O cursor.AppImage "https://downloader.cursor.sh/linux/appImage/x64"

# Make executable
chmod +x cursor.AppImage

# Move to /opt for system-wide access
sudo mv cursor.AppImage /opt/cursor.appimage

# Download icon
sudo wget -O /opt/cursor.png \
  "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/getcursor/cursor/main/resources/linux/code.png"

Step 3: Create Desktop Entry with Sandbox Handling


# Create system-wide desktop entry
sudo tee /usr/share/applications/cursor.desktop > /dev/null << EOF
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Cursor AI IDE
Comment=AI-powered code editor
Exec=/opt/cursor.appimage --no-sandbox %U
Icon=/opt/cursor.png
Type=Application
Categories=Development;IDE;
Terminal=false
StartupWMClass=cursor
MimeType=text/plain;
EOF

# Update desktop database
sudo update-desktop-database

Step 4: Create AppArmor Profile (Optional but Recommended)


# Create AppArmor profile for better security
sudo tee /etc/apparmor.d/cursor-appimage > /dev/null << 'EOF'
# AppArmor profile for Cursor AppImage
abi ,
include 

profile cursor-appimage /opt/cursor.appimage flags=(unconfined) {
  userns,
  include if exists 
}
EOF

# Load the profile
sudo apparmor_parser -r /etc/apparmor.d/cursor-appimage

# Verify profile is loaded
sudo aa-status | grep cursor

Method 3: Automated Installation Script

For enterprise deployments or users preferring automated installation, we've developed a comprehensive script that handles all installation steps, including dependency checks, error handling, and system-specific configurations. This method is ideal for IT administrators managing multiple developer workstations.

Complete Installation Script


#!/bin/bash
# Cursor AI IDE Installation Script for Ubuntu 24.04
# Safe, tested, and enterprise-ready

set -e  # Exit on error

# Color codes for output
RED='\033[0;31m'
GREEN='\033[0;32m'
YELLOW='\033[1;33m'
NC='\033[0m' # No Color

# Functions
print_info() {
    echo -e "${GREEN}[INFO]${NC} $1"
}

print_warning() {
    echo -e "${YELLOW}[WARNING]${NC} $1"
}

print_error() {
    echo -e "${RED}[ERROR]${NC} $1"
}

check_ubuntu_version() {
    if ! lsb_release -d | grep -q "Ubuntu 24.04"; then
        print_warning "This script is optimized for Ubuntu 24.04"
        read -p "Continue anyway? (y/n): " -n 1 -r
        echo
        if [[ ! $REPLY =~ ^[Yy]$ ]]; then
            exit 1
        fi
    fi
}

check_architecture() {
    if [ "$(uname -m)" != "x86_64" ]; then
        print_error "Cursor requires x86_64 architecture"
        exit 1
    fi
}

install_dependencies() {
    print_info "Installing dependencies..."
    sudo apt update
    sudo apt install -y wget curl libfuse2t64
}

download_cursor() {
    print_info "Downloading Cursor AI IDE..."
    INSTALL_DIR="$HOME/.local/bin/cursor"
    mkdir -p "$INSTALL_DIR"
    
    wget -O "$INSTALL_DIR/cursor.AppImage" \
        "https://downloader.cursor.sh/linux/appImage/x64" \
        --show-progress
    
    chmod +x "$INSTALL_DIR/cursor.AppImage"
}

extract_appimage() {
    print_info "Extracting AppImage..."
    cd "$INSTALL_DIR"
    ./cursor.AppImage --appimage-extract
    
    # Move extracted files
    mv squashfs-root/* .
    rm -rf squashfs-root cursor.AppImage
    
    # Fix permissions
    if [ -f "chrome-sandbox" ]; then
        sudo chown root:root chrome-sandbox
        sudo chmod 4755 chrome-sandbox
    fi
}

create_desktop_entry() {
    print_info "Creating desktop entry..."
    
    cat > ~/.local/share/applications/cursor.desktop << EOF
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Cursor AI IDE
Comment=AI-powered code editor
Exec=$HOME/.local/bin/cursor/cursor
Icon=$HOME/.local/bin/cursor/resources/app/resources/linux/code.png
Type=Application
Categories=Development;IDE;
Terminal=false
StartupWMClass=cursor
MimeType=text/plain;
EOF
    
    update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications/
}

add_to_path() {
    print_info "Adding Cursor to PATH..."
    
    SHELL_RC="$HOME/.bashrc"
    if [ -n "$ZSH_VERSION" ]; then
        SHELL_RC="$HOME/.zshrc"
    fi
    
    # Check if already in PATH
    if ! grep -q "cursor/bin" "$SHELL_RC"; then
        echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin/cursor:$PATH"' >> "$SHELL_RC"
        print_info "Added to $SHELL_RC - restart terminal or run: source $SHELL_RC"
    fi
    
    # Create symlink for immediate use
    mkdir -p "$HOME/.local/bin"
    ln -sf "$HOME/.local/bin/cursor/cursor" "$HOME/.local/bin/cursor-ide"
}

verify_installation() {
    print_info "Verifying installation..."
    
    if [ -f "$HOME/.local/bin/cursor/cursor" ]; then
        print_info "✅ Cursor installed successfully!"
        print_info "Launch from Applications menu or terminal with: cursor"
    else
        print_error "Installation verification failed"
        exit 1
    fi
}

# Main installation flow
main() {
    echo "======================================"
    echo "Cursor AI IDE Installer for Ubuntu 24.04"
    echo "======================================"
    echo
    
    check_ubuntu_version
    check_architecture
    install_dependencies
    download_cursor
    extract_appimage
    create_desktop_entry
    add_to_path
    verify_installation
    
    echo
    print_info "Installation complete! 🎉"
    print_info "Restart your terminal or run: source ~/.bashrc"
}

# Run main function
main

Using the Installation Script


# Save the script
nano ~/install-cursor.sh

# Make executable
chmod +x ~/install-cursor.sh

# Run the installer
./install-cursor.sh

# Or run directly from URL (inspect first!)
curl -fsSL https://your-domain/install-cursor.sh | bash

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful installation, users may encounter various issues. Here are solutions to the most common problems:

Issue 1: "dlopen(): error loading libfuse.so.2"

Cause: Missing FUSE 2 library

Solution:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install libfuse2t64

Alternative: Use Method 1 (extraction) to bypass FUSE entirely

Issue 2: "The SUID sandbox helper binary was found, but is not configured correctly"

Cause: Chrome sandbox permissions issue

Solution:

# For extracted installation
sudo chown root:root ~/.local/bin/cursor/chrome-sandbox
sudo chmod 4755 ~/.local/bin/cursor/chrome-sandbox

# Or run with --no-sandbox flag (less secure)
cursor --no-sandbox

Issue 3: Desktop Entry Not Appearing

Cause: Desktop database not updated

Solution:

# Update desktop database
update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications/

# Log out and back in, or restart GNOME Shell
Alt+F2, type 'r', press Enter

Issue 4: GPU Acceleration Problems

Cause: Electron GPU compatibility issues

Solution:

# Disable GPU acceleration
cursor --disable-gpu

# Or add to desktop entry
Exec=/path/to/cursor --disable-gpu %U

Issue 5: System Crash After Installing FUSE

Cause: Installed 'fuse' package instead of 'libfuse2t64'

Emergency Recovery:

# Boot to recovery mode
# Select "root - Drop to root shell prompt"

# Reinstall desktop packages
apt update
apt install --reinstall ubuntu-desktop gnome-shell
apt install --reinstall nautilus

# Remove problematic fuse package
apt remove fuse
apt install libfuse2t64

# Reboot
reboot

Security Considerations and Best Practices

Running Electron-based applications like Cursor requires careful attention to security, particularly in enterprise environments. The following practices ensure safe deployment while maintaining functionality:

Security Best Practices

🔒
Avoid --no-sandbox when possible: While it solves permission issues, it disables Chrome's security sandbox. Use proper permission fixes instead.
🔒
Implement AppArmor profiles: Create security profiles to limit application capabilities and filesystem access.
🔒
Regular updates: Keep Cursor updated to receive security patches and bug fixes.
🔒
User-level installation: Prefer user installations over system-wide to limit potential damage.
🔒
Verify downloads: Always download from official sources (cursor.sh) and verify checksums when available.

Creating a Secure AppArmor Profile

Enhanced Security Profile


# /etc/apparmor.d/usr.local.bin.cursor
#include 

/home/*/.local/bin/cursor/cursor {
  #include 
  #include 
  #include 
  
  # Allow network access for AI features
  network inet stream,
  network inet6 stream,
  
  # File access
  owner @{HOME}/** rw,
  owner @{HOME}/.config/Cursor/** rw,
  owner @{HOME}/.cache/cursor/** rw,
  
  # Deny access to sensitive areas
  deny @{HOME}/.ssh/** rwx,
  deny @{HOME}/.gnupg/** rwx,
  deny /etc/shadow r,
  deny /etc/sudoers r,
  
  # Allow execution
  /home/*/.local/bin/cursor/cursor ix,
  /home/*/.local/bin/cursor/** r,
  
  # Required for functionality
  /proc/*/stat r,
  /proc/*/status r,
  /sys/devices/system/cpu/** r,
}

Updating and Maintaining Cursor

Cursor releases frequent updates with new AI capabilities, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Maintaining an up-to-date installation ensures access to the latest features and security patches.

Update Script for Extracted Installation


#!/bin/bash
# Cursor Update Script

CURSOR_DIR="$HOME/.local/bin/cursor"
BACKUP_DIR="$HOME/.local/bin/cursor_backup"

echo "Updating Cursor AI IDE..."

# Backup current installation
if [ -d "$CURSOR_DIR" ]; then
    rm -rf "$BACKUP_DIR"
    cp -r "$CURSOR_DIR" "$BACKUP_DIR"
    echo "Backup created at $BACKUP_DIR"
fi

# Download new version
cd /tmp
wget -O cursor_new.AppImage "https://downloader.cursor.sh/linux/appImage/x64"
chmod +x cursor_new.AppImage

# Extract new version
./cursor_new.AppImage --appimage-extract

# Replace old version
rm -rf "$CURSOR_DIR"/*
mv squashfs-root/* "$CURSOR_DIR/"

# Fix permissions
sudo chown root:root "$CURSOR_DIR/chrome-sandbox"
sudo chmod 4755 "$CURSOR_DIR/chrome-sandbox"

# Cleanup
rm -rf cursor_new.AppImage squashfs-root

echo "Update complete! Cursor has been updated to the latest version."

# Verify
if "$CURSOR_DIR/cursor" --version; then
    echo "Update successful!"
    rm -rf "$BACKUP_DIR"
else
    echo "Update failed! Restoring backup..."
    rm -rf "$CURSOR_DIR"
    mv "$BACKUP_DIR" "$CURSOR_DIR"
fi

Automated Update with Cron

Weekly Update Schedule


# Add to crontab for weekly updates
crontab -e

# Add this line (runs every Sunday at 2 AM)
0 2 * * 0 /home/username/scripts/update-cursor.sh >> /home/username/logs/cursor-update.log 2>&1

# Or use systemd timer for better control
sudo tee /etc/systemd/system/cursor-update.service << EOF
[Unit]
Description=Update Cursor AI IDE
After=network-online.target
Wants=network-online.target

[Service]
Type=oneshot
User=%u
ExecStart=/home/%u/scripts/update-cursor.sh
StandardOutput=journal
StandardError=journal
EOF

sudo tee /etc/systemd/system/cursor-update.timer << EOF
[Unit]
Description=Weekly Cursor Update
Persistent=true

[Timer]
OnCalendar=weekly
RandomizedDelaySec=1h

[Install]
WantedBy=timers.target
EOF

# Enable timer
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now cursor-update.timer

Enterprise Deployment Considerations

For organizations deploying Cursor across multiple developer workstations, additional considerations ensure smooth rollout and ongoing management. ITECS assists enterprises in implementing standardized deployment strategies that align with corporate security policies while maximizing developer productivity.

Deployment Strategy

• Configuration management with Ansible/Puppet
• Centralized update management
• License key distribution
• Network proxy configuration
• Shared settings and extensions
• Integration with SSO/LDAP

Monitoring & Support

• Usage analytics and metrics
• Crash reporting and diagnostics
• Performance monitoring
• Automated issue resolution
• Help desk integration
• Training and documentation

Ansible Playbook for Mass Deployment


---
- name: Deploy Cursor AI IDE to Ubuntu 24.04 Workstations
  hosts: developer_workstations
  become: yes
  vars:
    cursor_version: "latest"
    install_method: "extract"  # or "appimage"
    
  tasks:
    - name: Check Ubuntu version
      ansible.builtin.assert:
        that:
          - ansible_distribution == "Ubuntu"
          - ansible_distribution_version == "24.04"
        fail_msg: "This playbook requires Ubuntu 24.04"
    
    - name: Install dependencies
      apt:
        name:
          - wget
          - curl
          - libfuse2t64
        state: present
        update_cache: yes
    
    - name: Create Cursor directory
      file:
        path: "/opt/cursor"
        state: directory
        mode: '0755'
    
    - name: Download Cursor AppImage
      get_url:
        url: "https://downloader.cursor.sh/linux/appImage/x64"
        dest: "/tmp/cursor.AppImage"
        mode: '0755'
    
    - name: Extract AppImage
      shell: |
        cd /tmp
        ./cursor.AppImage --appimage-extract
        mv squashfs-root/* /opt/cursor/
        rm -rf squashfs-root cursor.AppImage
      args:
        creates: /opt/cursor/cursor
    
    - name: Fix sandbox permissions
      file:
        path: "/opt/cursor/chrome-sandbox"
        owner: root
        group: root
        mode: '4755'
    
    - name: Create desktop entry
      copy:
        content: |
          [Desktop Entry]
          Name=Cursor AI IDE
          Exec=/opt/cursor/cursor %U
          Icon=/opt/cursor/resources/app/resources/linux/code.png
          Type=Application
          Categories=Development;IDE;
        dest: "/usr/share/applications/cursor.desktop"
    
    - name: Create symbolic link
      file:
        src: "/opt/cursor/cursor"
        dest: "/usr/local/bin/cursor"
        state: link
    
    - name: Verify installation
      command: /opt/cursor/cursor --version
      register: cursor_version_output
      changed_when: false
    
    - name: Display version
      debug:
        msg: "Cursor {{ cursor_version_output.stdout }} installed successfully"

Performance Optimization Tips

Cursor's AI features can be resource-intensive. These optimization strategies ensure smooth performance even on modest hardware:

Performance Tuning Recommendations

Memory Management:

# Increase Node.js memory limit
export NODE_OPTIONS="--max-old-space-size=4096"

Disable Unnecessary Features:

# Launch with minimal features
cursor --disable-gpu --disable-software-rasterizer

File Watcher Limits:

# Increase inotify limits for large projects
echo "fs.inotify.max_user_watches=524288" | sudo tee -a /etc/sysctl.conf
sudo sysctl -p

Cache Management:

# Clear cache periodically
rm -rf ~/.config/Cursor/Cache/*
rm -rf ~/.config/Cursor/CachedData/*

Conclusion and Best Practices Summary

Successfully installing Cursor on Ubuntu 24.04 requires understanding the platform's specific challenges and choosing the appropriate installation method for your environment. The extraction method offers the highest reliability and safety, while the libfuse2t64 approach maintains traditional AppImage benefits. Automated scripts streamline deployment for multiple systems.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Never install the 'fuse' package on Ubuntu 24.04 - use libfuse2t64 or extraction method
• Extraction method is the safest and most reliable approach
• Security matters: Implement AppArmor profiles and avoid --no-sandbox when possible
• Regular updates ensure access to latest AI features and security fixes
• Enterprise deployment benefits from automation and centralized management
• Performance tuning may be necessary for resource-constrained systems

Accelerate Your Development with ITECS

Struggling with developer tool deployment and management? ITECS specializes in creating efficient, secure development environments that empower your teams to leverage cutting-edge AI tools like Cursor. Our managed IT services ensure your developers focus on innovation, not installation issues.

From initial deployment to ongoing maintenance and security management, we provide comprehensive support that transforms your development infrastructure into a competitive advantage. Let our experts handle the complexity while your team builds the future.

Schedule Developer Tools Assessment Download Enterprise Guide

How To Install Cursor on Ubuntu 24.04 (No libfuse? 3 Working Paths): Complete Guide 2025

Installing Cursor AI IDE on Ubuntu 24.04: Three Proven Methods to Solve the LibFuse Challenge

⚠️ Critical Warning for Ubuntu 24.04 Users

Understanding the AppImage and LibFuse Challenge

Technical Background: FUSE Evolution in Ubuntu

Prerequisites and System Requirements

System Requirements

Verify Your System

Method 1: AppImage Extraction (No FUSE Required)

✅ Advantages of the Extraction Method

Step-by-Step Installation

Step 1: Download Cursor AppImage

Step 2: Extract AppImage Contents

Step 3: Fix Chrome Sandbox Permissions

Step 4: Create Desktop Entry

Step 5: Add Command Line Access

Method 2: LibFuse2t64 Installation (Traditional AppImage)

⚠️ Important: Package Name Change

Installation Steps

Step 1: Install LibFuse2t64

Step 2: Download and Prepare Cursor

Step 3: Create Desktop Entry with Sandbox Handling

Step 4: Create AppArmor Profile (Optional but Recommended)

Method 3: Automated Installation Script

Complete Installation Script

Using the Installation Script

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue 1: "dlopen(): error loading libfuse.so.2"

Issue 2: "The SUID sandbox helper binary was found, but is not configured correctly"

Issue 3: Desktop Entry Not Appearing

Issue 4: GPU Acceleration Problems

Issue 5: System Crash After Installing FUSE

Security Considerations and Best Practices

Security Best Practices

Creating a Secure AppArmor Profile

Enhanced Security Profile

Updating and Maintaining Cursor

Update Script for Extracted Installation

Automated Update with Cron

Weekly Update Schedule

Enterprise Deployment Considerations

Deployment Strategy

Monitoring & Support

Ansible Playbook for Mass Deployment

Performance Optimization Tips

Performance Tuning Recommendations

Conclusion and Best Practices Summary

✅ Key Takeaways

Accelerate Your Development with ITECS

About ITECS Team

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