Bookmark this if you’re just getting started with Cursor We’ve...
Prajwal Tomar@PrajwalTomar_
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May 01, 2025
~4 min read
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Bookmark this if you’re just getting started with Cursor
We’ve built 18+ 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 18+ 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 of this as .md files inside your Cursor repo for better context. You can also use @CodeGuideDev to speed up this entire planning process.
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 of this as .md files inside your Cursor repo for better context. You can also use @CodeGuideDev to speed up this entire planning process.
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.
I made a detailed post on this. Access it here:
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.
I made a detailed post on this. Access it here:
Prajwal Tomar@PrajwalTomar_
How to Set Up Cursor the Right Way
Cursor Rules are outdated. Project Rules is the correct way now. Here’s why it matters and how to set it up properly:
Cursor Rules are outdated. Project Rules is the correct way now. Here’s why it matters and how to set it up properly:
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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
It's 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.
It's 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
Take advantage of these new features:
• Custom modes (beta): 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
• 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): 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
• Sound Notifications: Get notified when Cursor is done thinking
Set these up to make Cursor feel even more personal.
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14/ Update for 0.49.x:
Cursor just got even better.
• Generate & auto-apply rules from any chat
• Image support in MCP
• Built-in diff review for agent code
• Smarter terminal control
• Global ignore files
• Gemini 2.5 Pro and GPT-4.1 now supported
This version levels up vibe coding big time.
Cursor just got even better.
• Generate & auto-apply rules from any chat
• Image support in MCP
• Built-in diff review for agent code
• Smarter terminal control
• Global ignore files
• Gemini 2.5 Pro and GPT-4.1 now supported
This version levels up vibe coding big time.
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15/ 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.