A practical Cursor AI tutorial covering installation, project import, codebase context, agent prompts, review, testing, and safe daily use. This independent guide focuses on practical workflow, current product positioning, and the questions that matter before you adopt an AI coding tool.
Install and import your setup
Download Cursor from its official website and open a local repository. If you are moving from VS Code, import compatible settings, themes, keybindings, and extensions. Confirm that language servers, formatters, and project commands work before adding AI changes.
Let Cursor understand the repository
Start by asking for an architecture summary, entry points, tests, and the files involved in one feature. Correct misunderstandings early. Good context is not the entire repository indiscriminately; it is the smallest authoritative set of files needed for the task.
Features, models, limits, ownership, and prices can change. Verify time-sensitive details on the linked official product pages before making a purchase or migration decision.
Use the right interaction
Use completions for small local edits, contextual questions for understanding, and Agent for multi-step tasks. A strong prompt includes an outcome, constraints, examples, affected behavior, and verification commands.
Review every change
Open the diff, inspect added dependencies, and confirm that unrelated files were not modified. Run formatting, diagnostics, tests, and the build. Ask Cursor to explain any code you cannot confidently maintain.
Create a daily workflow
Use branches for meaningful changes, keep tasks narrow, and save durable project conventions as rules. Monitor model usage and choose lighter workflows when autocomplete or a direct edit is enough.
Make the decision with your own workflow
Use a representative repository, clear acceptance criteria, and measurable review outcomes. Foundly helps builders research markets, compare opportunities, and validate what is worth building before committing resources.
Explore Foundly →Frequently asked questions
How do I start using Cursor?
Install Cursor, open a repository, verify the existing project, and begin with a repository explanation or small task.
When should I use Agent?
Use Agent for tasks that require investigation, multiple files, commands, or validation.
Can Cursor run tests?
Agent workflows can use terminal tools when allowed; always inspect the command and outcome.