Archive · 29 Aug 2026
OpenAI Plans to End Cursor Model Access After Acquisition
Cursor is a computer program that helps people write code with artificial intelligence.
It has used OpenAI models for nearly four years.
OpenAI plans to stop supplying those models to Cursor on November 12, 2026.
OpenAI says it is worried that SpaceX, which acquired Cursor, might not follow its contract rules.
OpenAI also says newer models such as Astra need extra safeguards.
Cursor CEO Michael Truell said the companies are talking to try to solve the disagreement.
He said OpenAI models make up about 5% of Cursor’s user traffic.
Anthropic said it will increase support for its Claude models on Cursor.
The dispute is also part of a larger argument between Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
OpenAI plans to end its model-supply agreement with Cursor on November 12, 2026, after SpaceX acquired the coding platform.
OpenAI said it notified SpaceX and is using the maximum contractual notice period allowed.
The company cited concerns about SpaceX complying with its terms of service and safety requirements.
Future models, including OpenAI’s upcoming Astra model, will not be supplied to Cursor under the existing agreement.
Cursor CEO Michael Truell said OpenAI models account for about 5% of user traffic, while Anthropic plans to expand Claude support on the platform.
- Who
- OpenAI, SpaceX, Cursor, Cursor CEO Michael Truell, Anthropic, and developers using OpenAI models through Cursor.
- What
- OpenAI plans to wind down its model-supply agreement with Cursor and stop access to its models on November 12, 2026.
- When
- OpenAI announced the plan on August 28; Elon Musk responded on August 29; the proposed cutoff is November 12, 2026.
- Where
- The first article is datelined New Delhi; the companies’ operations and the contract’s location are not specified.
- Why
- OpenAI cited concerns about contractual compliance, terms of service, and safety requirements after SpaceX acquired Cursor.
OpenAI’s rationale
Cursor and Musk’s response
Contract termination
OpenAI’s rationale
OpenAI says the SpaceX acquisition created uncertainty about compliance with its terms of service and that it is giving developers the maximum notice allowed.
Cursor and Musk’s response
Cursor CEO Michael Truell said the company was sorry to see the planned cutoff and was speaking with OpenAI to resolve the dispute.
Future model access
OpenAI’s rationale
OpenAI says increasingly capable models, including Astra, require stronger accountability and will not be supplied to Cursor under the existing agreement.
Cursor and Musk’s response
Cursor can use multiple AI providers, and Anthropic said it would expand Claude capacity, potentially giving developers an alternative.
Broader dispute
OpenAI’s rationale
OpenAI pointed to alleged contractual problems involving Musk-controlled companies and said customized agreements are needed for safety and compliance at scale.
Cursor and Musk’s response
Musk dismissed the decision, called OpenAI and its leaders untrustworthy, and repeated his allegation that Sam Altman and OpenAI abandoned the organization’s original nonprofit mission.
- Affected platform
- Cursor, an AI coding platform
- Acquiring company
- Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), led by Elon Musk
- Proposed cutoff
- November 12, 2026
- Notice period
- OpenAI said it is providing the maximum notice permitted under the contract.
- Partnership length
- OpenAI said it had worked with Cursor for nearly four years.
- Cursor traffic
- Michael Truell said OpenAI models account for about 5% of Cursor’s user traffic.
- Alternative provider
- Anthropic said it plans to increase computing capacity for Claude models on Cursor.
