Cursor Launches Origin, a GitHub Rival Code-Hosting Platform

Cursor, the AI development startup now owned by SpaceX, unveiled Origin this week—a new code-hosting platform aimed at replicating GitHub's core functions. The platform supports collaborative coding, repository management, and pull requests, with additional agent-native features planned for the future. Unlike some competitors, Origin is designed to work alongside GitHub rather than replace it entirely; developers can sync repositories between the two platforms seamlessly. The launch comes amid mounting frustration with GitHub's reliability. The platform suffered a major worldwide outage lasting over six hours on the same day Origin debuted, affecting nearly 20% of requests globally. This incident reflects a broader pattern: GitHub has experienced 257 outages over the past year, prompting numerous high-profile developers to consider alternatives. Despite these setbacks, GitHub remains dominant, with approximately 180 million users as of last October, presenting a significant challenge for Cursor's ambitions to gain market share.