What is a .cursorrules file?

A .cursorrules file tells Cursor AI how to write code for your project - coding style, patterns, and conventions.

Where do I put .cursorrules?

In your project root directory. Cursor automatically reads it when you open the project.

What should I include?

Tech stack, coding conventions, file structure, preferred libraries, and any project-specific rules.

Does it work with other AI tools?

.cursorrules is Cursor-specific. Use CLAUDE.md for Claude Code or .windsurfrules for Windsurf.

Creating Project-Specific AI Rules

Different projects need different rules. Here's how to tailor your cursor rules for various scenarios.

Next.js Projects

For Next.js, emphasize:

App Router vs Pages Router conventions

Server vs Client Components

Data fetching patterns

Image optimization

React Projects

Focus on:

Component patterns (functional vs class)

State management approach

Hook usage guidelines

Performance optimization techniques

Python Projects

Specify:

PEP 8 compliance

Type hints requirements

Virtual environment expectations

Testing framework preferences

API Development

Include:

REST vs GraphQL conventions

Error response formats

Authentication patterns

Documentation requirements

Monorepo Projects

Address:

Package boundaries

Shared code conventions

Import path rules

Build and test configurations

Team Considerations

When writing rules for team projects:

Document the reasoning behind rules

Keep rules in version control

Review rules in PRs

Update rules during retrospectives

Template Approach

Consider creating rule templates for common project types, then customizing for specific needs. CursorRulesSpark can help generate these templates quickly.