---
title: "Start from scratch, without a repo"
description: "Cloud Agents can now start without a connected GitHub or other third-party source-control provider. Selecting Start from scratch in the repo picker lets someone prompt the agent immediately, while Cursor creates an Origin repo in the background. When the build is ready, Create repo saves it as a fully scaffolded Origin repo with a custom or suggested name and private or internal visibility; the Codebase tab provides access to the project. Cursor also port-forwards the cloud agent’s live environment to the browser for previews and design mode, and connecting a Vercel account enables publishing to a live URL for what was built."
---

# Start from scratch, without a repo

[Cursor](https://yomu.fyi/company/cursor) · Aug 27, 2026

**Type:** Announcement

## Summary

Cloud Agents can now start without a connected GitHub or other third-party source-control provider. Selecting Start from scratch in the repo picker lets someone prompt the agent immediately, while Cursor creates an Origin repo in the background. When the build is ready, Create repo saves it as a fully scaffolded Origin repo with a custom or suggested name and private or internal visibility; the Codebase tab provides access to the project. Cursor also port-forwards the cloud agent’s live environment to the browser for previews and design mode, and connecting a Vercel account enables publishing to a live URL for what was built.

## Context

The change removes the requirement for Cloud Agents to begin with a connected GitHub or other third-party SCM provider. Work can begin from the repo picker and later be saved as an Origin repo.

## Approach / What changed

Select Start from scratch, prompt the agent, and let Cursor create an Origin repo in the background. When the build is ready, use Create repo to choose a name and private or internal visibility, then access the project from the Codebase tab. Cursor provides a browser preview through port-forwarding, while publishing requires a connected Vercel account.

## Takeaways

- Cloud Agents can be prompted from Start from scratch without a connected GitHub or other third-party SCM provider.
- Create repo turns the work into a fully scaffolded Origin repo with custom or suggested naming and private or internal visibility.
- The live environment is port-forwarded to the browser for previews and design mode; publishing to a live URL requires a Vercel account.

## FAQ

### When is the Origin repo created?

Cursor creates an Origin repo in the background when work starts from Start from scratch. Create repo later saves the build as a fully scaffolded Origin repo.

### Can the project be previewed before publishing?

Yes. Cursor port-forwards the cloud agent’s live environment to the browser, where it can be previewed and used with tools like design mode.

### What is required to publish the project?

A connected Vercel account is required to use the publish feature. Publishing provides a live URL for what was built.

**Tags:** [Cursor](https://yomu.fyi/topic/cursor), [Vercel](https://yomu.fyi/topic/vercel)

- Source: [Cursor](https://cursor.com/changelog/start-from-scratch)
- Source URL: https://cursor.com/changelog/start-from-scratch
- Ingested by Yomu: 2026-09-19T10:36:30.219Z

[Read original post](https://cursor.com/changelog/start-from-scratch)