Rules file
A file of standing instructions Cursor adds to every chat automatically
Words that go with it
- .cursor/rulesThe folder in your project where Cursor looks for rules files
- .mdcThe file ending for Cursor rules: Markdown with a settings header
- @-mentionTyping @ in the chat to attach a file, folder, past chat or other context to your message
- AGENTS.mdA plain Markdown instructions file many AI coding tools read. Next.js creates one for you
- Always ApplyThe rule type (alwaysApply: true) that's included in every chat
- Fresh chatA new conversation with no history, so old attempts don't confuse the AI
- FrontmatterThe settings block between two --- lines at the top of a rules file
- Source of truthThe one place a fact is officially recorded. For a website's design and content, that's brief.md
- User RulesYour personal rules for every project on your laptop