Cursor Launches Claude 3.7 Max Mode: A Powerful New AI Tool with Premium Pricing
Claude 3.7 Max Mode Debuts on Cursor
Cursor, the AI-powered coding assistant, has just unveiled Claude 3.7 Max Mode, a major upgrade designed to supercharge productivity for developers and power users. Launched in March 2025, this new mode is built on the Claude 3.7 Thinking model, Anthropic's latest AI architecture, and brings a suite of performance enhancements—but at a cost.
Max Mode is only available via usage-based pricing and not included in Cursor’s regular Pro plan. At $0.05 per prompt and $0.05 per tool call, using the full potential of the system (up to 200 tool calls in a single chain) could cost as much as $10 per task. Cursor makes it clear: this mode is “not for the average user,” but for those who demand (and can afford) maximum capability.
The rollout has sparked mixed reactions. While some users are thrilled by the new capabilities—such as handling massive 2,000-line files and performing complex, multi-layered edits—others are critical of the steep pricing and fear that Cursor has intentionally limited the base model to push users toward Max Mode.
Key Takeaways
- Claude 3.7 Max Mode unlocks the full 200k token context window and up to 200 tool calls per chain.
- The mode is described as “no expense spared” in performance and is capable of solving problems previous AI tools couldn’t.
- It’s not part of Cursor’s Pro plan, with separate pay-per-use pricing at $0.05 per prompt and $0.05 per tool call.
- Users report both impressive successes and frustrating failures—from solving complex UI bugs to wasting credits on errors.
- Cursor admits the costs couldn't be absorbed in the Pro plan and warns that Max Mode is for users who can afford to experiment.
- Critics are raising concerns over a “pay-to-win” AI model, comparing it to monetization tactics in gaming.
Deep Analysis: Power vs. Price – A New Direction for AI Tools
Claude 3.7 Max Mode represents a radical shift in how AI tools are being delivered. Where earlier models offered powerful AI within the limits of a monthly subscription, Cursor is now embracing a “power-for-price” approach.
1. Technical Leap Forward
Max Mode’s main innovation lies in its ability to:
- Process much larger codebases at once thanks to the full 200,000 token context window.
- Use up to 200 tool calls in a chain, a massive jump from prior limits, enabling smoother handling of complex or multi-file operations.
- Cut down tool usage by reading larger code chunks at once, which can translate into fewer prompts and less interaction overhead.
One developer reported successfully breaking down and reducing a 2,000-line code file by 40%, using Max Mode—a task previous AIs couldn’t complete. At a cost of just $0.35, it was a win in both time and money.
2. Pricing Controversy
However, this leap forward comes with steep costs. The pricing model has triggered backlash from parts of the developer community:
- Each tool call costs $0.05, and given that AI agents often make dozens (if not hundreds) of tool calls for large tasks, expenses can quickly spiral.
- The Claude 3.7 Sonnet Thinking model—previously popular among Pro users—now consumes two premium credits per use, effectively reducing the value of the Pro plan by half.
- Users are concerned about being pushed toward higher-cost features, likening the strategy to “gimping” the base model to encourage upgrades.
Some even suspect that Cursor has intentionally limited the standard Claude 3.7 implementation, creating a two-tier system: one for casual users and another for high-paying professionals.
3. Transparency and Trust Issues
Community feedback includes reports of:
- Double billing without resolution.
- Errors and failed tasks consuming large amounts of credits.
- Confusion about model availability and limitations.
Cursor has attempted to clarify its position, stating:
- Max Mode is additive, not a replacement or downgrade for existing tools.
- Regular Claude 3.7 is still being tweaked and refined.
- Hosting and computational costs make it impossible to include Max Mode in the standard subscription.
Despite these assurances, users remain skeptical. What once made Cursor stand out—its simplicity and seamless AI integration—is now being disrupted by tiered pricing and more complex user choices.
Did You Know?
- Claude 3.7 Max Mode is capable of handling more than 100,000 words of code or content in one go, thanks to its full 200k token context—equivalent to reading the entire Harry Potter book in a single pass.
- A “tool call” in Cursor includes any AI action beyond text generation—reading files, running terminal commands, fixing linter errors, or searching the web. These can quickly add up in a single session.
- Cursor’s pricing model mirrors trends in freemium gaming, where base features are free or low-cost, but true power lies behind premium purchases.
- Some users reported Max Mode fixed bugs that stumped other AI models, underlining its real-world impact—despite the price.
- The Claude 3.7 model itself is "fundamentally different" from 3.5—not just a minor upgrade, but a new way of thinking, optimized for larger contexts and deeper code logic.
Cursor’s Claude 3.7 Max Mode is a game-changer in capability, but it comes with a clear caveat: power has a price. For professional developers and AI enthusiasts who need high-performance assistance with large-scale tasks, it offers unparalleled potential. But for everyday users, the shift toward usage-based monetization may mark the beginning of a more divided AI landscape—where access to smarter tools depends on how much you’re willing (or able) to pay.