Cursor User Guide

What is Cursor

Cursor is an AI-native code editor, built on VS Code, integrating powerful AI programming assistant features. It's not just a simple VS Code plugin, but an AI-first programming environment designed from the ground up.

Core Features

AI Native: Designed for AI programming
VS Code Compatible: Supports VS Code plugins
Local Execution: Supports local models
Privacy & Security: Code processed locally
Free to Use: Basic features are free

Cursor Features

Feature	Description	Use Cases
AI Native Editor	Designed for AI programming	Daily programming
Multi-model Support	Supports multiple AI models	Flexible selection
Local Models	Supports local execution	Privacy sensitive
Cursor Rules	Custom rules	Personalized configuration

Core Features of Cursor

1. AI Code Generation

Capabilities:

Intelligent code completion
Code generation
Code explanation
Code refactoring

Use Cases:

Rapid prototyping
Code review
Bug fixes
Code learning

Example:

User: [Input requirement description]

Cursor: [Generate complete code implementation]

2. Cursor Rules

Capabilities:

Customize AI behavior
Project-specific rules
Code style configuration
Best practice enforcement

Use Cases:

Team code standards
Project-specific requirements
Code style unification
Best practice application

Example:

# .cursorrules
- Use TypeScript
- Follow ESLint rules
- Add JSDoc comments
- Write unit tests

3. Multi-model Support

Supported Models:

GPT-4
Claude
Local models (Ollama, etc.)
Other compatible models

Use Cases:

Choose different models for different tasks
Process sensitive code locally
Cost optimization
Performance optimization

4. AI Chat

Capabilities:

Code-related conversations
Technical Q&A
Architecture discussions
Best practice consultations

Use Cases:

Technical learning
Problem solving
Solution discussions
Knowledge acquisition

Cursor Usage Tips

1. Installation and Setup

Installation Steps:

Download Cursor: https://cursor.sh
Install application
Configure AI model
Import VS Code settings (optional)

Configuration Example:

json

// settings.json
{
  "cursor.ai.enabled": true,
  "cursor.ai.model": "gpt-4",
  "cursor.ai.temperature": 0.7
}

2. Using Cursor Rules

Create Rules:

Create .cursorrules file in project root
Add custom rules
Save file
Cursor automatically applies rules

Rules Example:

# Project Coding Standards

## Language
- Use TypeScript
- Follow ESLint rules

## Code Style
- Use 2-space indentation
- Use single quotes
- Add semicolons

## Comment Requirements
- Add JSDoc to all functions
- Add comments for complex logic
- Mark TODOs for pending items

## Testing Requirements
- Write unit tests
- Coverage > 80%
- Use Jest framework

3. AI Code Generation

Tips:

Clearly describe requirements
Provide context
Generate step by step
Iteratively optimize

Example:

Create a user authentication API:
1. Use Express and TypeScript
2. JWT authentication
3. Include registration and login features
4. Add error handling
5. Write test cases

4. Code Review

Tips:

Select code range
Clarify review points
Request improvement suggestions
Verify modifications

Example:

Review the following code:
1. Code quality
2. Performance issues
3. Security risks
4. Best practices

[Selected code]

Cursor Best Practices

1. Project Configuration

Suitable for:

New project initialization
Team collaboration
Code standardization

Configuration Steps:

Create .cursorrules file
Define project specifications
Configure AI model
Set keyboard shortcuts

Example Configuration:

# .cursorrules

## Project Information
- Project Name: MyApp
- Tech Stack: React + TypeScript
- Architecture: Component-based

## Coding Standards
- Use functional components
- Use Hooks
- Follow Airbnb style guide
- Add PropTypes

## File Organization
- Components in components/
- Utility functions in utils/
- Type definitions in types/
- Test files with same name as source

2. Daily Development

Suitable for:

Daily programming
Bug fixes
Feature development

Workflow:

Use AI to generate initial code
Review and modify code
Run and test
Iteratively optimize

Example:

1. Describe requirements
"Create a user list component"

2. Cursor generates code
[Generate component code]

3. Review and modify
[Check code quality]
[Modify parts that don't meet standards]

4. Run tests
[Run test cases]

5. Iteratively optimize
[Optimize based on feedback]

3. Team Collaboration

Suitable for:

Team projects
Code review
Knowledge sharing

Collaboration Methods:

Share .cursorrules file
Unify AI configuration
Establish best practices
Regularly update rules

Example:

# Team .cursorrules

## Team Standards
- Follow team coding standards
- Use team toolchain
- Follow Git workflow

## Code Review
- All code needs review
- Use AI-assisted review
- Record review comments

## Documentation Requirements
- Update README
- Add API documentation
- Write changelog

4. Learning and Exploration

Suitable for:

Learning new technologies
Exploring new frameworks
Understanding code

Learning Methods:

Use AI to explain code
Ask about best practices
Explore different solutions
Record learning notes

Example:

1. Ask about concepts
"Explain React Hooks' useEffect"

2. Cursor provides explanation
[Detailed explanation and examples]

3. Ask about best practices
"What are the best practices for useEffect?"

4. Cursor provides recommendations
[Best practices list and examples]

5. Practical application
[Apply in project]

Cursor Suitable Scenarios

Most Suitable Scenarios

Daily Programming
- Code generation
- Code review
- Bug fixes
- Refactoring optimization
Team Collaboration
- Code standardization
- Knowledge sharing
- Best practice application
Learning Programming
- Code explanation
- Best practices
- Technical learning
Privacy Sensitive Projects
- Local model execution
- Code processed locally
- Data security

Less Suitable Scenarios

Non-programming Tasks
- Text generation
- Content creation
- Data analysis
Simple Editing
- Lightweight editing
- Quick modifications
- Simple tasks

Cursor Practical Cases

Case 1: Using Cursor Rules

Scenario: Configure React project standards

.cursorrules File:

# React Project Standards

## Tech Stack
- React 18
- TypeScript
- Tailwind CSS
- Vite

## Component Standards
- Use functional components
- Use Hooks
- Component files use PascalCase
- Style files use kebab-case.module.css

## Code Style
- Use 2-space indentation
- Use single quotes
- Add semicolons
- Import order: React, third-party, local

## Testing Requirements
- Use Vitest
- Component test coverage > 80%
- Critical features must have tests

Effects:

Cursor-generated code automatically follows standards
Team code style unified
Reduced code review work
Improved code quality

Case 2: AI-assisted Development

Scenario: Develop user authentication feature

Workflow:

1. Describe requirements
"Create user authentication feature, including registration and login"

2. Cursor generates code
[Generate complete authentication code]

3. Review code
[Check code quality]
[Verify security]

4. Run tests
[Run test cases]

5. Iteratively optimize
[Optimize code based on feedback]

Effects:

Quickly generate initial code
Automatically follow project standards
Improve development efficiency
Reduce errors

Case 3: Code Review

Scenario: Review Pull Request

Workflow:

1. Select code range
[Select code in PR]

2. Request AI review
"Review this code:
1. Code quality
2. Performance issues
3. Security risks
4. Best practices"

3. Cursor provides review comments
[Detailed review report]

4. Apply improvement suggestions
[Modify code based on suggestions]

5. Verify modifications
[Run tests]
[Confirm functionality works]

Effects:

Quickly discover code issues
Provide improvement suggestions
Improve code quality
Learn best practices

Cursor Common Questions

Installation and Setup

Question: How to install Cursor?

Answer:

Visit https://cursor.sh
Download the installer for your platform
Install application
Configure AI model

Question: How to import VS Code settings?

Answer:

Open Cursor settings
Select import settings
Choose VS Code settings file
Apply settings

Cursor Rules

Question: How to create Cursor Rules?

Answer:

Create .cursorrules file in project root
Add custom rules
Save file
Cursor automatically applies

Question: What rules do Cursor Rules support?

Answer:

Coding standards
Code style
Testing requirements
Documentation requirements
Project-specific rules

AI Models

Question: How to switch AI models?

Answer:

Open Cursor settings
Select AI model
Choose model type
Save settings

Question: How to use local models?

Answer:

Install Ollama or other local models
Configure local model in Cursor
Select local model
Start using

Cursor Pricing Plans

Free Version

Price: Free
Features:
- Basic AI features
- Limited AI requests
- Basic Cursor Rules

Pro Version

Price: $20/month
Features:
- Unlimited AI requests
- Advanced Cursor Rules
- Priority support
- Local model support

Team Version

Price: $30/user/month
Features:
- Team management
- Shared configuration
- Admin console
- Advanced security

Awesome Cursor Rules

Repository: https://github.com/PatrickJS/awesome-cursorrules

Introduction: This is a carefully curated collection of Cursor Rules configuration files, including configuration examples for various projects and scenarios.

Main Content:

Language-specific Rules
- TypeScript
- Python
- JavaScript
- Other languages
Framework-specific Rules
- React
- Vue
- Angular
- Next.js
Project Type Rules
- Web applications
- Mobile applications
- API services
- Other types
Team Standard Rules
- Code style
- Testing requirements
- Documentation standards
- Best practices

How to Use:

Browse rules files in the repository
Select appropriate rules
Copy to project's .cursorrules file
Adjust as needed
Save and apply

Example Rules:

React Project Rules:

# React Project Rules

## Component Standards
- Use functional components
- Use Hooks
- Component files use PascalCase
- Style files use kebab-case.module.css

## Code Style
- Use 2-space indentation
- Use single quotes
- Add semicolons
- Import order: React, third-party, local

## Performance Optimization
- Use React.memo to optimize components
- Use useMemo and useCallback
- Avoid unnecessary re-renders
- Optimize list rendering

## Testing Requirements
- Use React Testing Library
- Component test coverage > 80%
- Critical features must have tests
- Use snapshot testing

Summary:

Cursor is an AI-native code editor
Cursor Rules can customize AI behavior
Awesome Cursor Rules provides rich configuration examples
Proper use can significantly improve development efficiency

Next Steps

Claude User Guide - Learn about Claude's features
DeepSeek User Guide - Learn about DeepSeek's features
Tool Comparison - Compare different tools

Cursor User Guide ​

What is Cursor ​

Core Features ​

Cursor Features ​

Core Features of Cursor ​

1. AI Code Generation ​

2. Cursor Rules ​

3. Multi-model Support ​

4. AI Chat ​

Cursor Usage Tips ​

1. Installation and Setup ​

2. Using Cursor Rules ​

3. AI Code Generation ​

4. Code Review ​

Cursor Best Practices ​

1. Project Configuration ​

2. Daily Development ​

3. Team Collaboration ​

4. Learning and Exploration ​

Cursor Suitable Scenarios ​

Most Suitable Scenarios ​

Less Suitable Scenarios ​

Cursor Practical Cases ​

Case 1: Using Cursor Rules ​

Case 2: AI-assisted Development ​

Case 3: Code Review ​

Cursor Common Questions ​

Installation and Setup ​

Cursor Rules ​

AI Models ​

Cursor Pricing Plans ​

Free Version ​

Pro Version ​

Team Version ​

Awesome Cursor Rules ​

Next Steps ​

Cursor User Guide

What is Cursor

Core Features

Cursor Features

Core Features of Cursor

1. AI Code Generation

2. Cursor Rules

3. Multi-model Support

4. AI Chat

Cursor Usage Tips

1. Installation and Setup

2. Using Cursor Rules

3. AI Code Generation

4. Code Review

Cursor Best Practices

1. Project Configuration

2. Daily Development

3. Team Collaboration

4. Learning and Exploration

Cursor Suitable Scenarios

Most Suitable Scenarios

Less Suitable Scenarios

Cursor Practical Cases

Case 1: Using Cursor Rules

Case 2: AI-assisted Development

Case 3: Code Review

Cursor Common Questions

Installation and Setup

Cursor Rules

AI Models

Cursor Pricing Plans

Free Version

Pro Version

Team Version

Awesome Cursor Rules

Next Steps