← Back to Documents

Getting Started

Getting Started with AI-Assisted Development: Project Setup Guide

What You'll Learn

This guide will walk you through setting up your AI-assisted development environment, with a focus on the Cursor editor and essential configuration files. By the end, you'll have a properly configured project ready for efficient AI collaboration.

Quick Start

  1. Create a cursor.rules file in your project's root directory
  2. Configure your AI models in Cursor settings
  3. Set up basic project documentation
  4. Test your configuration

Why This Matters

A well-configured development environment is crucial for effective AI collaboration. Think of your setup as having a conversation with a senior developer - the better you explain your project and preferences, the more helpful their suggestions will be.

Essential Setup: The cursor.rules File

What is cursor.rules?

The cursor.rules file is your project's communication hub with AI tools. It's like creating a detailed briefing document for a new team member, helping the AI understand your project's context and requirements.

Creating Your cursor.rules File

Location

your-project/
└── cursor.rules

Basic Structure

Your cursor.rules file should include these key sections:

  1. Project Overview
# Project Overview
- Project: [Your project name]
- Purpose: [Brief description]
- Main goals: [List key objectives]
- Target users: [Who will use this]
  1. AI Interaction Style
# AI Personality
Instructions for AI:
- Act as a senior developer
- Prioritize clean, maintainable code
- Explain complex concepts clearly
- Focus on practical solutions
  1. Technical Stack
# Technology Stack
Frontend:
- Framework: [e.g., React 18.2.0]
- UI Library: [e.g., Tailwind CSS 3.0]

Backend:
- Runtime: [e.g., Node.js 18.x]
- Framework: [e.g., Express 4.x]

Database:
- Type: [e.g., PostgreSQL 14]
- ORM: [e.g., Prisma 4.x]
  1. Common Processes
    Document your regular workflows, like:
# Common Processes
## Error Handling Process
1. Log error details
2. Check stack trace
3. Identify root cause
4. Test fix in isolation

## Deployment Process
1. Run test suite
2. Build production assets
3. Deploy to staging
4. Verify functionality

Pro Tips for cursor.rules

  • Update it daily as your project evolves
  • Keep critical instructions at both the start and end
  • Use clear, consistent formatting
  • Include plenty of examples and context

Setting Up Your AI Models

Primary Model Configuration

Configure your AI models in Cursor's settings (Settings > AI Models):

  1. Main Model

    • Enable Claude 3.5 Sonnet (20241022)
    • This should be your default for most tasks

  2. Backup Models

    • Enable Gemini models
    • Keep GPT-4 available as fallback
    • Configure for both terminal and command-K use

Model Selection Tips

  • Use Claude 3.5 Sonnet for most development tasks
  • Switch to Gemini for specific use cases where it excels
  • Keep GPT-4 as a backup for when other models struggle

Essential Project Documentation

Required Documentation Files

Create these in your project root:

your-project/
├── cursor.rules
├── docs/
│   ├── database.md
│   ├── architecture.md
│   └── processes.md

Key Documentation Tips

  • Use clear file names
  • Keep documentation close to relevant code
  • Update docs alongside code changes
  • Include practical examples

Common Pitfalls and Solutions

Problem: AI Gives Inconsistent Results

Solution: Check your cursor.rules file for clarity and completeness. The AI needs clear context to provide consistent help.

Problem: Configuration Isn't Working

Solution: Verify that:

  • cursor.rules is in the root directory
  • AI models are properly enabled in settings
  • File format follows markdown syntax

Quick Reference: Setup Checklist

  • Create cursor.rules file
  • Configure AI models
  • Set up basic documentation structure
  • Test AI interaction
  • Document common processes
  • Verify environment variables
  • Test a simple AI interaction

Maintenance Best Practices

Daily Tasks

  • Update cursor.rules with new project insights
  • Keep documentation in sync with code
  • Document new processes as they emerge

Weekly Reviews

  • Verify AI model configurations
  • Update documentation structure
  • Review and optimize processes

Need Help?

  • Check Cursor's official documentation
  • Visit the AI model providers' websites
  • Join developer communities for support
  • Review example configurations

Next Steps

After completing your setup:

  1. Try a simple code generation task
  2. Test error resolution workflows
  3. Practice documentation updates
  4. Experiment with different AI models

Remember: Good setup pays dividends throughout your project's lifecycle. Take the time to get it right!