Piyush Gambhir

Cursor 100x Practices

•4 min read•Piyush Gambhir
CursorProductivity

What is Cursor and Why It Matters

Cursor is an AI-powered Integrated Development Environment (IDE) built on VSCode, designed to help developers write code faster and smarter. It offers features like AI-assisted coding, debugging, and refactoring, making it ideal for software engineers, data scientists, and programmers looking to speed up their workflow. Think of it as having a smart coding partner that understands your project and suggests improvements in real-time.

Installing Cursor IDE

Download Cursor from the official website and import your VSCode settings for a smooth transition.

For detailed installation instructions, refer to the official installation documentation.

How to Achieve 100x Productivity with Cursor

Writing/Refactoring/Debugging Code Efficiently with Cursor

Cursor's features like autocomplete and Chat are pivotal for efficient coding, reducing manual effort and accelerating development. Cursor's Agent mode and Bug Finder are designed for complex tasks, enhancing refactoring and debugging efficiency.

Autocomplete and Tab Feature:

  • The tab feature, always on, predicts the next edit across multiple lines, considering recent changes. It suggests multiple edits at once, fixing mistakes as you type.
  • Best practice: Trust the suggestions but verify for accuracy. Customize settings to match your coding style, ensuring relevance.
  • Example: While writing a loop, Cursor might suggest completing the loop structure, saving keystrokes.

Leveraging the Chat Feature:

  • The Chat feature allows natural language queries, like "Is there a bug here?" or "Generate a function to fetch user data from an API." It sees the current file and cursor, enhancing context.
  • Use @ symbols (e.g., @Codebase, @LibraryName) to reference files or libraries, improving response accuracy. For instance, type @ to see a list of all files and code symbols.
  • Best practice: Provide clear, specific prompts.
  • For example, "Refactor this function to use async/await" yields better results than vague requests.
  • Apply suggestions by clicking the play button on chat codeblocks, integrating them seamlessly into the codebase.

Agent Mode for Complex Tasks:

  • Agent mode, accessed via Composer, completes tasks end-to-end, such as generating code across multiple files or running commands. It keeps programmers in the loop, asking for confirmation on actions.
  • Best practice: Start with smaller tasks, like refactoring a component, to understand its capabilities. Monitor actions and intervene if needed.
  • Example: Prompt "Create a new feature for user authentication," and Agent mode might generate files, run commands, and suggest tests, all while keeping you in control.

Enhancing Collaboration and Documentation

Cursor supports team workflows through Notepads and documentation integration, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Notepads for Shared Notes:

  • Notepads, currently in beta, are supercharged sticky notes for code, shareable and referenceable with @.
  • They support markdown, file attachments, and dynamic templates. Best practice: Use clear headings and include examples or files. Ideal for architecture diagrams, coding guidelines, or templates.
  • Example: Create a Notepad for API documentation, referencing relevant files with @, and share with the team for consistency.

For more information about Notepads and their capabilities, check out the official documentation.

Documentation References:

  • Use @LibraryName to reference popular libraries or add custom docs via @Docs → Add new doc for project-specific information. Best practice: Keep custom docs organized and up-to-date, reducing the need to switch to external documentation.
  • Example: Reference React documentation with @React, or add a doc for internal APIs with @Docs. These tools enhance team alignment and reduce documentation overhead.
  • Use @Cursor to review code, providing feedback and suggestions for improvements.

Staying Up-to-Date with Cursor

In a fast-changing AI landscape, staying informed is crucial.

Keeping Up with Updates:

  • Regularly check the changelog for new features and improvements. Participate in community discussions for tips, as Cursor evolves rapidly.
  • Best practice: Treat updates as opportunities to refine your workflow, experimenting with new features.

Follow me on LinkedIn for updates.

How Cursor Compares to Other AI Pair Programming Tools

While other AI pair programming tools like GitHub Copilot focus on single-line suggestions, Cursor stands out with features like Agent mode, which handles complex tasks across multiple files, and Notepads, which enhance team collaboration. For example, Agent mode can generate authentication files and suggest tests, keeping you in control throughout the process. Notepads, on the other hand, allow for shared documentation and referenceable notes, making collaboration seamless.

For a detailed comparison of Cursor and other top AI pair programming tools, check out my blog post on the Top 5 AI Pair Programming Tools, where I dive into their strengths and use cases.

Conclusion

Cursor isn't just a tool—it's a game-changer for developers willing to experiment and adapt. By leveraging features like autocomplete, Chat, Agent mode, and Notepads, you can achieve exceptional productivity and collaboration. Start small with these tips, and you'll soon see why Cursor is worth the hype. Try Cursor today and share your own experiences or favorite features in the comments—I'd love to hear how you're using it!