Cursor Design Lead Shares 12 Pro Tips for Writing High-Quality Code with AI

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Today, I came across 12 insights shared by Cursor's design lead on how to effectively use Cursor for seamless coding. Here’s the breakdown.

Original post:
https://x.com/ryolu_/status/1914384195138511142

1. Project Rules Are the Foundation

Start by setting 5-10 clear project rules to help Cursor understand your structure and constraints. Pro tip: Use the /generate rules command to let AI auto-generate rules for your existing codebase—it’s a game-changer!

2. Precision in Prompts Is Key

Vague prompts = garbage output. Period. Specify the tech stack, behavior, and constraints in your prompts as if writing a mini-spec. AI isn’t a mind-reader—be explicit! 🤔

3. File-Level Iteration Is King

Forget generating an entire project at once. Work file by file: generate, test, review. Keep iterations small and focused to simplify debugging and revisions.

4. Test First, Code Later

Write tests first, lock them in, then let Cursor generate code until all tests pass. Test-driven development (TDD) with AI? Pure magic for efficiency! 🚀

5. Never Skip Manual Review

AI isn’t flawless—always review outputs, fix issues, and show Cursor the corrected code as an example. Skip this step at your own peril! 😭

6. Direct Cursor’s Focus

Use @file, @folders, and @git commands to narrow Cursor’s attention to specific parts of your codebase. Think of it as saying, "Look here, not there!"

7. Store Design Docs in .cursor/

Place design documents and checklists in the .cursor/ directory. The more context AI has, the better the output. It’s that simple!

8. Don’t Explain—Just Fix!

If the code is wrong, rewrite it yourself. Cursor learns faster from your edits than from lengthy explanations. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words.

9. Leverage Chat History

Reuse and refine old prompts from chat history instead of starting from scratch. This saves tons of time and supercharges efficiency! 💪

10. Choose Models Wisely

Pick models based on needs: Gemini for precision, Claude for breadth. Different tools for different tasks—know their strengths.

11. Docs Are Lifesavers for New Tech

For unfamiliar tech stacks, paste documentation links and let Cursor explain errors and fixes line by line. Let AI be your mentor!

12. "Overnight Indexing" for Big Projects

Let large projects index overnight and limit context scope to maintain performance. Prep work today means smooth sailing tomorrow.

Key Takeaway: Structure and Control Are Crucial (For Now)

Treat Cursor like a talented junior developer:

• It can go far with clear direction—but you must know the path first!

Mastering Cursor boils down to: clear guidance + rigorous review + continuous feedback. Nail these, and your AI-powered coding efficiency will soar! 🚀