Cursor AI Cheatsheet (2025)

An advanced code editor with integrated AI capabilities, designed to enhance developer productivity through
intelligent assistance.

MK by Mark Kashef
Tool Overview
Cursor AI is an advanced code editor with integrated AI capabilities,
designed to enhance developer productivity through intelligent
assistance. It features a unified Agent Mode interface, support for
multiple AI models including GPT-4.1, and a range of tools for
autonomous code exploration and modification.
Core Technology
AI Engine Development Agent Mode
Multiple model support Environment Unified interface for handling
including GPT-4.1, Gemini 2.5, Browser-based code editor complex coding tasks with
Grok 3, and Claude models with integrated AI capabilities minimal guidance

Terminal Integration Web Search

Built-in terminal with command execution Integrated web browsing for documentation and
capabilities solutions
Key Features at a Glance
Agent Mode Multiple AI Models
Unified autonomous interface Support for GPT-4.1 and other advanced models

Web Search Integration Terminal Command Execution

Documentation access Improved control

Rules Generation Project Structure Understanding

Management for consistent behavior Better context

Chat Tabs Diff View

Parallel conversations Code review and changes
Key Strengths
Unified Interface Model Flexibility
Agent Mode provides a consistent approach to Support for multiple AI models to suit different
complex tasks needs and budgets

Autonomous Exploration Terminal Integration

Independently explores codebases and identifies Execute commands directly from the AI interface
relevant files

Web Research Rules System

Access external resources to solve complex Generate and manage rules for consistent
problems behavior

Project Understanding Parallel Workflows

Option to include project structure in context Chat tabs for managing multiple conversations
Limitations
Context Window Beta Features
Approximately 120,000 tokens limit for GPT-4.1 Some capabilities still in development (e.g.,
project structure in context)

Rule Sensitivity Instruction Conflicts

GPT-4.1 follows defined rules more strictly than Potential for confusion with redundant or
other models conflicting instructions

Model Benefits Learning Curve

Some users report not seeing significant Requires adjustment to effectively leverage all
advantages of newer models in agent mode capabilities
Communication & Interface Guide
Effective communication with Cursor AI requires understanding its interface and capabilities. The following
sections outline how to best interact with the system for optimal results.
Agent Mode
Agent Mode is the default and most autonomous mode in Cursor, designed to handle complex coding tasks with
minimal guidance:

Key Capabilities:

Independently explores codebases

Identifies relevant files for modifications
Uses all available tools (search, edit, terminal)
Builds comprehensive understanding of project structure
Breaks complex tasks into manageable steps
Creates checkpoints before making changes

Best Practices:

Be specific about what you want to accomplish

No need to specify how the agent should approach the task
Write clear and non-conflicting rules
Avoid redundancy in instructions
Review proposed changes before confirming
Example Agent Mode Prompts
Dark Mode Implementation API Response Caching Authentication Bug Fix
"Add dark mode support to this "Implement API response "Fix the bug in the user
React application. The app caching for all fetch requests in authentication flow where users
should detect system this application to improve are not being redirected to the
preferences and also provide a performance and reduce dashboard after successful
toggle for users to switch unnecessary network calls." login."
between light and dark themes."
Chat Tabs and Modes
Cursor provides multiple chat tabs and interaction modes:

Chat Tabs:

Create multiple tabs for parallel conversations

Orange dot indicator for tabs awaiting input
Access chat history through command palette
Sound notification option when chat is finished

Interaction Modes:

Agent Mode: Full autonomous assistance

Ask Mode: Question-answering without code changes
Manual Mode: Direct control over changes
Custom Modes: User-defined interaction patterns
Rules Generation
Rules help guide the agent's behavior consistently:

How to Use:

1. Use the /Generate Cursor Rules command in chat

2. Review and edit the generated rules
3. Apply rules with path patterns for automatic application
4. Configure global ignore patterns via user-level settings

// General coding style

- Use TypeScript for all new files
- Follow the existing project structure
- Add comprehensive comments for complex logic
- Write unit tests for new functionality

// Path patterns
- src/components/**/*.tsx: Follow component structure with props interface
- src/utils/**/*.ts: Create pure functions with JSDoc comments
- src/api/**/*.ts: Use try/catch for all API calls
Workflow Optimization
Optimizing your workflow with Cursor AI involves understanding the systematic approach of Agent Mode,
selecting appropriate models, and leveraging collaboration features.
Agent Mode Workflow
Understand Request
Analyzes request and codebase context

Explore Codebase
Searches through files, documentation, and web

Plan Changes
Breaks down task into smaller steps

Execute Changes
Makes necessary code modifications

Verify Results
Confirms changes and fixes any issues

Task Complete
Summarizes the changes made
Model Selection Strategy
Choose the appropriate AI model based on your needs:

Model Best For

GPT-4.1 (Standard) Complex coding tasks requiring

deep understanding

GPT-4.1-mini Balanced performance and cost

efficiency

GPT-4.1-nano Simple tasks with budget

constraints

Gemini 2.5 Pro Alternative reasoning

approaches

Grok 3 Creative problem-solving

Claude models Detailed explanations and

reasoning
Effective Collaboration
Organize with Chat Tabs Leverage Chat History Review Changes
Use chat tabs to organize Reference previous Use the built-in diff view to
different aspects of a project conversations for context examine proposed
modifications

Create Checkpoints Project Structure

Save state before making significant changes Use project structure understanding for better
context
Terminal Integration
Leverage the integrated terminal for command execution:

Run commands directly from the AI interface

Edit commands before execution
Skip commands or move them to background
View exit codes for better error handling
Run commands in background for long-running processes
Performance Optimization
Maximizing the effectiveness of Cursor AI requires attention to model efficiency, code quality, project organization,
and debugging strategies.
Model Efficiency
Select appropriate Optimize prompts Use OpenRouter API
models Be specific and concise to Access over 300 AI models
Choose models based on task reduce token usage through a single interface
complexity

Monitor usage Configure budget alerts

Track token consumption and costs Set usage thresholds to avoid unexpected
charges
Code Quality
Request code reviews Implement best practices Optimize algorithms
Ask the agent to review and Request adherence to coding Ask for performance
improve code standards improvements

Reduce technical debt Improve error handling

Request refactoring of problematic code Ask for comprehensive error management
Project Organization
Include project structure Configure global ignore Use auto-attached rules
Enable project structure in patterns Apply consistent patterns
context Exclude unnecessary files across files

Organize with chat tabs Leverage MCP support

Separate concerns into different conversations Use multi-context processing for complex tasks
Debugging Strategies
Terminal integration Linter error fixing Web search
Run tests and debugging Automatically address code Research solutions to
commands quality issues complex problems

Diff view Checkpoint system

Review changes before applying them Revert to previous states if needed
Integration Capabilities
Cursor AI offers robust integration with various systems and tools to
enhance your development workflow.
Web Search Integration
Documentation access Problem-solving Best practices
Search for library and Find solutions to coding Research industry standards
framework documentation challenges and patterns

Contextual searches External resources

Integrate search results with codebase Access tutorials, examples, and community
understanding discussions
Terminal Command Execution
Package management Build processes Testing
Install and update Compile and bundle Run test suites and view
dependencies applications results

Deployment Database operations

Execute deployment scripts Manage database migrations and queries
File System Integration
Code modification File creation Directory navigation
Edit existing files with context Generate new files based on Explore project structure
awareness requirements

Checkpoint system Diff view

Create safe points before making changes Compare changes before applying them
External Tools
OpenRouter API Version control CI/CD pipelines
Access over 300 AI models Integrate with Git workflows Trigger and monitor build
processes

Code analysis Project management

Integrate with linting and static analysis tools Connect with issue tracking systems
Project Type Optimization
Cursor AI excels at different types of projects, with specific optimization
strategies for each.
Best For
Web Application Development API Integration and Bug Fixing and Debugging
Implementation
Frontend frameworks (React, Error identification
Vue, Angular) RESTful API development Root cause analysis
Backend systems (Node.js, GraphQL schema design Solution implementation
Python, Java) API client implementation Regression testing
Full-stack applications Webhook processing Performance bottlenecks
Progressive web apps Authentication flows
Single-page applications
More Project Types
Code Refactoring Documentation Generation
Technical debt reduction Code comments
Architecture improvements API documentation
Pattern implementation README files
Code modernization User guides
Performance optimization Technical specifications
Troubleshooting Guide
Common Issues Support Resources
Context Window Limitations Documentation: docs.cursor.com
Model Selection Problems Community Forum: forum.cursor.com
Rule Conflicts GitHub Repository: github.com/cursor-ai
Terminal Command Issues Twitter: @cursor_ai
Web Search Integration Problems Discord: discord.gg/cursor

Debugging Workflow Keyboard Shortcuts

1. Identify the issue Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P: Open command
2. Gather information palette

3. Isolate the cause Ctrl+/ / Cmd+/: Toggle comment

4. Develop a solution Ctrl+F / Cmd+F: Find in file

5. Review changes Ctrl+Shift+F / Cmd+Shift+F: Find in project

6. Test thoroughly Ctrl+ / Cmd+: Toggle terminal

7. Document the solution Ctrl+Tab / Cmd+Tab: Switch between chat tabs