My Experience with Cursor AI - A Developer's Perspective

June 3, 2025

A practical look at Cursor AI's main concepts, rules system, and how it transforms the coding workflow for modern developers.

Introduction

After months of using Cursor AI, I've found it to be one of the most significant improvements to my development workflow. Unlike traditional code editors with AI plugins, Cursor feels like having an experienced pair programming partner who understands both your codebase and your intentions.

Main Concepts of Cursor AI

AI-First Code Editor

Cursor isn't just VS Code with AI bolted on. It's built from the ground up with AI integration as a core feature. The AI understands your entire codebase context, not just the current file you're editing.

Context-Aware Intelligence

The AI can:

• Read and understand your entire project structure
• Reference multiple files simultaneously
• Understand your coding patterns and preferences
• Maintain context across conversations

Interactive Development

Rather than just autocomplete, Cursor enables conversational programming where you can:

• Ask questions about your codebase
• Request specific implementations
• Get explanations for complex code
• Receive suggestions for improvements

The Rules System

One of Cursor's most powerful features is its rules system, which allows you to customize AI behavior on a per-project basis.

Project-Level Rules File

Create a .cursorrules file in your project root to define project-specific guidelines:

# .cursorrules

## Code Style
- Use TypeScript for all new files
- Prefer functional components over class components
- Use Tailwind CSS for styling, avoid transition-all
- Follow conventional commit format

## Architecture
- Implement repository pattern for data access
- Use dependency injection where possible
- Keep components small and focused

## Testing
- Write tests for all business logic
- Use Jest for unit tests
- Mock external dependencies

## Documentation
- Add JSDoc comments for public functions
- Update README for major changes
- Document API endpoints

Global Rules

You can also set global rules that apply to all projects in Cursor's settings. These work well for general coding preferences and standards.

Rule Benefits

Rules ensure:

• Consistent code style across team members
• Adherence to project-specific patterns
• Automatic enforcement of best practices
• Reduced need for manual code reviews on style issues

Practical Workflow Integration

Codebase Exploration

When joining a new project, ask Cursor to explain the architecture, identify entry points, or trace data flow. It reads your entire codebase to provide comprehensive answers.

Refactoring Assistance

Cursor excels at large-scale refactoring tasks. It can rename variables across files, update import statements, and maintain consistency throughout your codebase.

Documentation Generation

Generate comprehensive documentation, API specs, or README files based on your actual code implementation.

Key Advantages

Speed

Development cycles are significantly faster. Complex implementations that might take hours can be completed in minutes with AI assistance.

Learning Tool

Cursor explains not just what to do, but why. It's excellent for learning new frameworks, patterns, or languages.

Error Prevention

The AI catches potential issues early, suggests improvements, and helps avoid common pitfalls.

Limitations to Consider

Context Boundaries

While Cursor's context understanding is impressive, very large codebases may exceed context limits for certain operations.

Dependency on Quality Input

The quality of AI suggestions directly correlates with how well you describe your requirements and structure your rules.

Learning Curve

Maximizing Cursor's potential requires learning how to communicate effectively with AI and structure your projects appropriately.

Conclusion

Cursor AI represents a fundamental shift in how we write code. The combination of context-aware intelligence, project-specific rules, and conversational programming creates a development experience that's both more productive and educational.

The rules system particularly stands out as a way to maintain consistency and enforce standards automatically, making it valuable for both solo developers and teams.

For developers willing to adapt their workflow, Cursor offers substantial improvements in productivity, code quality, and learning opportunities. It's not just a tool but a development partner that grows more valuable as you learn to work with it effectively.