Cursor 101

Cursor Rules: Supercharge Your Coding with AI

Discover how Cursor Rules can revolutionize your development process, boost productivity, and help you write better code with AI-assisted programming.

Explore the official Cursor Rules for AI documentation →

What are Cursor Rules?

Cursor Rules are custom instructions that guide the AI assistant in Cursor, tailoring its behavior when interpreting code, generating suggestions, and responding to queries. There are two types of Cursor Rules:

  • Global Rules: Set in Cursor Settings under 'General' > 'Rules for AI'. These apply to all your projects.
  • Project-Specific Rules: Defined in a .cursorrules file in your project's root directory. These apply only to that project.

With Cursor Rules, you can:

  • Customize AI responses to match your coding style
  • Enforce coding standards across your team
  • Improve code consistency and quality
  • Streamline your development workflow

Example Cursor Rule:

# Project: React TypeScript Application

## Coding Standards
- Use TypeScript for all new code
- Prefer functional components and hooks over class components
- Use proper TypeScript types for all variables and functions

## Style Guidelines
- Follow Airbnb React/JSX Style Guide
- Use 2 spaces for indentation
- Max line length: 100 characters

## Best Practices
- Implement responsive designs using Tailwind CSS
- Use React.memo() for performance optimization when appropriate
- Prefer async/await over .then() for asynchronous operations

## Testing
- Write unit tests for all new components and utilities
- Aim for at least 80% test coverage

## Documentation
- Use JSDoc comments for all functions and components
- Keep README.md up-to-date with project setup and contribution guidelines

Remember to consider accessibility and performance in all new features.

Key Benefits of Implementing Cursor Rules

Increased Productivity

Cursor Rules automate repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus on writing quality code.

Consistent Code Style

Enforce coding standards across your team, ensuring a uniform and readable codebase.

Reduced Errors

Catch common mistakes early in the development process, saving time on debugging.

Faster Onboarding

New team members can quickly adapt to your project's coding style and best practices.

How to Create and Use Cursor Rules

  1. 1

    Create a .cursorrules file

    In your project root, create a file named .cursorrules.

  2. 2

    Define your rules

    Write your Cursor Rules using the appropriate syntax.

  3. 3

    Start coding

    Cursor will automatically apply your rules as you write code.

How to Create Effective Cursor Rules

What Makes a Good Rule

  • Easy to understand - avoid complex jargon
  • Specific to your project or coding style
  • Matches your team's agreed-upon practices
  • Works for different parts of your code
  • Simple to update as your project grows

Tips for Writing Better Rules

  • Begin with basic rules, then add more as needed
  • Write as if you're explaining to a colleague
  • Include examples from your own code
  • Think about how the rule applies to your project
  • Check and update your rules regularly

Making Your Rules Work Better

  • Use words and terms you use in your daily coding
  • Briefly describe your project or feature
  • Show short code examples when it helps
  • Mention any specific requirements or limitations
  • Ask for explanations when you need them

Inspiring Cursor Rules Examples

Explore these Cursor Rules examples to inspire your own custom AI rules. Remember, the most effective Cursor Rules are tailored to your specific project needs and coding requirements.

typescript
javascript

TypeScript Expert

typescript
javascript

You are a TypeScript expert with deep knowledge of the language's features and best practices. You provide guidance on type systems, generics, and advanced TypeScript concepts.

For more Cursor Rules examples and inspiration, visit theCursor Rules Directory

Frequently Asked Questions About Cursor Rules

For more detailed information on Cursor Rules, refer to theofficial Cursor Rules for AI documentation

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