Bookmark this if you're just getting started with Cursor We’ve...
Prajwal Tomar@PrajwalTomar_
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Apr 09, 2025
~4 min read
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Bookmark this if you're just getting started with Cursor
We’ve built 17+ MVPs using it and finally cracked the most efficient way to use it without breaking things.
If you’re a beginner, this thread has everything you need to get started and make Cursor work for you ↓
We’ve built 17+ MVPs using it and finally cracked the most efficient way to use it without breaking things.
If you’re a beginner, this thread has everything you need to get started and make Cursor work for you ↓
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1. Plan before you code
A messy plan leads to messy prompts.
Use ChatGPT to generate:
- A simple PRD with your app goals, user flows, and features
- Your database schema and table relationships
- A color palette and typography reference
- Tech stack outline (e.g. Supabase, Stripe, Tailwind, etc.)
Pro tip: Save all this as .md files inside your Cursor repo.
That way, you and the AI stay aligned on scope from day one.
A messy plan leads to messy prompts.
Use ChatGPT to generate:
- A simple PRD with your app goals, user flows, and features
- Your database schema and table relationships
- A color palette and typography reference
- Tech stack outline (e.g. Supabase, Stripe, Tailwind, etc.)
Pro tip: Save all this as .md files inside your Cursor repo.
That way, you and the AI stay aligned on scope from day one.
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2. Start with a foundation (don’t go blank)
Cursor is powerful, but it performs better with some structure.
Use tools like:
- UX Pilot to create styled screen mockups
- Or Lovable/Bolt for fast UI generation
Once you have your layout, refine it in Cursor.
Cursor is powerful, but it performs better with some structure.
Use tools like:
- UX Pilot to create styled screen mockups
- Or Lovable/Bolt for fast UI generation
Once you have your layout, refine it in Cursor.
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3. Set up Project Rules (replace .cursorrules)
Don’t skip this.
With Project Rules, you can:
- Apply scoped instructions (e.g. “Only use Tailwind classes in .tsx files”)
- Define naming conventions and preferred patterns
- Sync rules with your GitHub repo for team use
Set these up early. It’s how you make AI behave like a real teammate.
A detailed post on setting up Cursor is a Right is coming soon. Stay tuned.
Don’t skip this.
With Project Rules, you can:
- Apply scoped instructions (e.g. “Only use Tailwind classes in .tsx files”)
- Define naming conventions and preferred patterns
- Sync rules with your GitHub repo for team use
Set these up early. It’s how you make AI behave like a real teammate.
A detailed post on setting up Cursor is a Right is coming soon. Stay tuned.
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4. Save reusable code in Notepad
Cursor’s Notepad is your AI memory.
Store:
- Auth flows (e.g., Supabase signup/login)
- Stripe checkout setup
- Common fetch/query patterns
- Validation logic and Zod schemas
Cursor’s Notepad is your AI memory.
Store:
- Auth flows (e.g., Supabase signup/login)
- Stripe checkout setup
- Common fetch/query patterns
- Validation logic and Zod schemas
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5. Split your work with Chat Tabs
Cursor 0.48 introduced tabs, massive for multitasking.
I use:
- One tab for planning (talking to the AI about structure)
- One tab for fixing bugs or iterating
This avoids losing context across different conversations.
Cursor 0.48 introduced tabs, massive for multitasking.
I use:
- One tab for planning (talking to the AI about structure)
- One tab for fixing bugs or iterating
This avoids losing context across different conversations.
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6. Automate with MCP (Model Context Protocol)
MCP lets Cursor do more than code:
- Run scripts to clean your repo
- Automate database setup (like Supabase table creation)
- Pull research from tools like Perplexity or Docs
MCP lets Cursor do more than code:
- Run scripts to clean your repo
- Automate database setup (like Supabase table creation)
- Pull research from tools like Perplexity or Docs
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7. Ask the Web
Use @web to ask real-time questions:
- Framework docs
- Recent blog posts
- Fixes from StackOverflow
Watch Out: AI can pull outdated or incorrect sources, always check links before trusting them
Note: Cursor 0.46+ does this by default without @web
Use @web to ask real-time questions:
- Framework docs
- Recent blog posts
- Fixes from StackOverflow
Watch Out: AI can pull outdated or incorrect sources, always check links before trusting them
Note: Cursor 0.46+ does this by default without @web
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8. Save working code in .md files
When Cursor gives you a great response:
- Save it in a markdown file like auth-flow(.)md, deployment(.)md, etc.
- Reuse later when building similar apps
- Cursor will refer to it for future prompts too
When Cursor gives you a great response:
- Save it in a markdown file like auth-flow(.)md, deployment(.)md, etc.
- Reuse later when building similar apps
- Cursor will refer to it for future prompts too
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9. Use YOLO Mode (but wisely)
YOLO Mode = no confirmation before running commands.
Use it to:
- Format files
- Generate boilerplate
- Run scripts fast
Watch Out: Use on a separate Git branch. It will overwrite files instantly.
YOLO Mode = no confirmation before running commands.
Use it to:
- Format files
- Generate boilerplate
- Run scripts fast
Watch Out: Use on a separate Git branch. It will overwrite files instantly.
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10. Fix UI with Screenshots
Cursor supports visual input.
Just:
- Take a screenshot of the broken UI
- Drag it into the chat
- Prompt: “Fix this spacing and align it with the design system”
Much faster than explaining with words.
Cursor supports visual input.
Just:
- Take a screenshot of the broken UI
- Drag it into the chat
- Prompt: “Fix this spacing and align it with the design system”
Much faster than explaining with words.
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11. Learn while building
Ask Cursor to:
- Explain code like you’re a beginner
- Walk through step-by-step logic
- Suggest better patterns
This is how I upskilled while working on real MVPs.
Ask Cursor to:
- Explain code like you’re a beginner
- Walk through step-by-step logic
- Suggest better patterns
This is how I upskilled while working on real MVPs.
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12. Use code templates
Why start from scratch?
Use Vercel’s official templates for:
- Next.js apps
- Auth flows
- Stripe payments
- Blog + CMS setup
Link: vercel.com/templates/next…
Why start from scratch?
Use Vercel’s official templates for:
- Next.js apps
- Auth flows
- Stripe payments
- Blog + CMS setup
Link: vercel.com/templates/next…
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13. New in Cursor 0.48.x
Take advantage of these new features:
- Custom modes (beta) allow you to compose new modes with tools and prompts that fit your workflow.
- Chat Tabs: Run parallel conversations without losing context
- Ask mode now has access to all search tools by default, so the @Codebase tool has been removed.
- Sound Notifications: Get notified when Cursor is done thinking
Set these up to make Cursor feel even more personal
Take advantage of these new features:
- Custom modes (beta) allow you to compose new modes with tools and prompts that fit your workflow.
- Chat Tabs: Run parallel conversations without losing context
- Ask mode now has access to all search tools by default, so the @Codebase tool has been removed.
- Sound Notifications: Get notified when Cursor is done thinking
Set these up to make Cursor feel even more personal
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TLDR:
- Plan your build with .md docs
- Use Project Rules to control AI
- Review everything with async reviews (use CodeRabbit)
- Save and reuse smart responses
- Use tabs and screenshots for better context
- Combine with tools like MCP and Notepad for superpowers
Let me know if you want a walkthrough video of this and I’ll record one soon.
Build fast. Stay in control.
- Plan your build with .md docs
- Use Project Rules to control AI
- Review everything with async reviews (use CodeRabbit)
- Save and reuse smart responses
- Use tabs and screenshots for better context
- Combine with tools like MCP and Notepad for superpowers
Let me know if you want a walkthrough video of this and I’ll record one soon.
Build fast. Stay in control.