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How to Check Your Cursor Usage and Fast-Request Quota
Cursor Pro gives you 500 fast requests per month, then drops you into slow mode without warning. Here's how to track the exact moment that switch happens - and how to avoid it.
Last updated April 2026 · By Soren Starck
Understanding Cursor Usage Limits
Cursor splits requests into two buckets. Fast requests hit a prioritized queue and respond in 1–3 seconds. Slow requests share the unprioritized pool and can take 5–30 seconds, sometimes more under load.
Pro gets 500 fast requests/month. Pro+ tiers and Business plans get more. Once you blow through fast requests, Cursor automatically routes everything to slow mode - same model quality, just much slower.
Method 1: Check the Cursor Dashboard
- Open cursor.com
- Sign in
- Click Dashboard → Usage
- Read your fast-request count, premium-model usage, and billing-cycle reset
Limitations: the page is a static snapshot, doesn't notify you, and you have to remember to refresh it. By the time you check, you may already be in slow mode.
Method 2: Real-Time Monitoring with SessionWatcher
SessionWatcher for Cursor sits in your macOS menu bar and shows fast-request usage live. No tab-switching, no refreshing.
- Fast requests remaining - updates in real time as you work
- Burn-rate projection - at this pace, you'll hit slow mode by day X
- Premium model breakdown - Claude Opus, GPT-4.1, o1 usage separately
- Billing-cycle countdown - when your 500 fast requests refill
- macOS notifications - alerts at 80% and 95% before slow mode hits
SessionWatcherCursor doesn't warn before slow mode.
SessionWatcher does.
Native macOS menu bar app. Track Claude and Codex usage, costs, and rate limits in real-time.
“Fast, simple, and does exactly what it should. Definitely worth it.”
@nicojerome on GitHub
macOS 14+. $2.99 one-time purchase.
Fast vs Slow: What It Actually Feels Like
| Mode | Typical latency | Cap | Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast | 1–3 sec | 500 / month (Pro) | Prioritized queue |
| Slow | 5–30+ sec | Unlimited | Shared queue, can stall under load |
SessionWatcher vs. Cursor Dashboard
| Feature | SessionWatcher | cursor.com Dashboard |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time fast-request count | Yes | Snapshot, you refresh |
| Burn-rate projection | Yes | No |
| Slow-mode warning | macOS notifications | None |
| Setup required | 10 seconds | Login + remember to check |
| Workflow interruption | None (menu bar) | Switch to browser |
| Cost | $2.99 one-time | Free |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check my Cursor usage?
cursor.com → Dashboard → Usage shows static counts. SessionWatcher for Cursor shows the same data live in your macOS menu bar.
What's the difference between fast and slow requests?
Fast requests hit a prioritized queue (1–3 sec). Slow requests share the unprioritized queue (5–30+ sec). Pro plans get 500 fast/month, then auto-fall to slow mode.
Why is Cursor suddenly slow today?
You probably hit the 500 fast-request cap and dropped into slow mode without realizing. SessionWatcher warns you at 80% so you can pace.
Is there a Cursor monitor app for macOS?
Yes - SessionWatcher for Cursor. Native macOS menu bar app, $2.99 one-time, 10-second setup.