What is the difference between code style options?

Functional style emphasizes pure functions, immutability, and composition over inheritance. Object-Oriented style uses classes, inheritance, and encapsulation patterns. Pragmatic style is a mixed approach that uses the best tool for each situation without strict adherence to one paradigm.

What testing approaches are available?

Five testing approaches are available: TDD (Test-Driven Development) writes tests before implementation; Comprehensive aims for high coverage with unit and integration tests; Moderate tests key paths with pragmatic coverage; Minimal covers only critical paths; None skips automated test generation entirely.

What do the AI behavior options mean?

Explicit mode provides detailed explanations and step-by-step guidance. Balanced mode explains when needed but keeps code concise. Concise mode outputs code with minimal commentary. Teaching mode focuses on explaining concepts and suggesting learning resources for educational contexts.

Can I use multiple additional rules?

Yes, you can enable any combination of additional rules. Options include TypeScript strict mode, no console logs, prefer async/await, no mutations, error boundaries, accessibility-first, security-first, performance-focused, SOLID principles, and DRY (Do not Repeat Yourself) principle.

How do I share my .cursorrules configuration?

After generating your rules, you can share the configuration via URL. The generator encodes your selections into URL parameters, so others can load your exact configuration by visiting the shared link. You can also copy the raw text and share it directly.

What is the best configuration for a Next.js project?

For a typical Next.js project, we recommend: TypeScript as the language, Next.js as the framework, Functional code style (works well with React hooks), Moderate or Comprehensive testing, Balanced AI behavior, and enabling strict types, early returns, and accessibility-first additional rules.

What is the best configuration for a Python FastAPI project?

For a FastAPI project, we recommend: Python as the language, FastAPI as the framework, Functional or Pragmatic code style (FastAPI uses both patterns), Moderate or Comprehensive testing, Balanced AI behavior, and enabling prefer async, error handling, and security-first additional rules.

Does the generated file work with all AI coding assistants?

The .cursorrules format is specifically designed for Cursor AI editor. However, the rules are written in plain text that other AI coding assistants may also interpret. The principles and guidelines in the generated file are universal best practices that can improve AI code generation in any tool.

How often should I update my .cursorrules file?

Update your .cursorrules file when you change major frameworks, adopt new coding conventions, or find that the AI is not following your preferred patterns. Most projects can use the same rules file throughout their lifecycle, but reviewing it quarterly is a good practice.

.cursorrules Generator

Generate customized cursor rules for your project in seconds. Select your tech stack, coding style, and AI preferences.

Preview.cursorrules

# Project Configuration
# Generated by VibeCoder Heretic - https://giglabo.com/tools/cursorrules-generator
 
## Language & Environment
You are an expert TypeScript developer with deep knowledge of the type system.
- Use TypeScript for all code files (.ts, .tsx) with strict mode enabled
- Prefer interfaces over type aliases for object shapes; use types for unions/intersections
- Avoid `any` type; use `unknown` when type is truly unknown, then narrow with type guards
- Use const assertions (`as const`) for literal types that should not widen
- Leverage discriminated unions for complex state modeling
- Use generics for reusable, type-safe code; avoid over-generalization
- Enable all strict flags: strictNullChecks, noImplicitAny, strictFunctionTypes
- Use utility types (Partial, Required, Pick, Omit, Record) to derive types
- Use the `satisfies` operator for type validation without type widening
- Define explicit return types for public APIs; infer types for internal functions
- Use branded/nominal types for type-safe IDs (e.g., `type UserId = string & { __brand: "UserId" }`)
 
## Framework
- Use Next.js App Router with React Server Components (RSC) by default
- Minimize "use client" directives; keep client components small and leaf-level
- Use Server Actions for mutations instead of API routes when possible
- Implement loading.tsx, error.tsx, and not-found.tsx for each route segment
- Use next/image for all images with proper width, height, and priority
- Use next/font for optimized font loading; avoid layout shift
- Use next/link for client-side navigation; prefetch critical routes
- Implement proper metadata exports for SEO (generateMetadata)
- Use Route Handlers (route.ts) only for webhooks and external API consumers
- Use dynamic imports with next/dynamic for code splitting non-critical components
- Place /app and /components under /src directory for better organization
- Use route groups (folder) for organization without affecting URL structure
 
## Code Style
Follow functional programming principles:
- Write pure functions without side effects; same input always produces same output
- Use immutable data structures; never mutate existing objects or arrays
- Favor composition over inheritance; build complex behavior from simple functions
- Use higher-order functions (map, filter, reduce, pipe) over manual loops
- Avoid shared mutable state; pass data explicitly through function parameters
- Use closures and currying for creating specialized functions
- Prefer declarative code that describes "what" over imperative "how"
- Use recursion with tail-call optimization where appropriate
- Treat functions as first-class citizens; pass them as arguments and return values
- Extract side effects to the edges of the system; keep core logic pure
 
## Testing
Moderate testing approach:
- Focus testing on business logic and critical code paths
- Write unit tests for complex functions and edge cases
- Write integration tests for API endpoints and external integrations
- Use mocks for external services and slow dependencies
- Test error handling and validation logic
- Prioritize tests based on code risk and change frequency
- Maintain reasonable coverage on new code (aim for 70%+)
- Use meaningful test names that describe the scenario
- Keep tests maintainable; update when behavior changes
- Balance testing effort with development velocity
 
## AI Behavior
Response style - Balanced:
- Provide working code with concise explanations
- Include brief comments for non-obvious logic only
- Ask clarifying questions when requirements are ambiguous
- Suggest improvements when clearly beneficial but dont over-engineer
- Focus on solving the immediate problem efficiently
- Include necessary error handling without excessive boilerplate
- Use type inference where types are obvious from context
- Explain key design decisions briefly
- Provide context when introducing new patterns or libraries
- Strike a balance between thoroughness and brevity
---
# Generated with VibeCoder Heretic
# https://giglabo.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

A .cursorrules file is a configuration file placed in your project root that tells AI coding assistants like Cursor how to write code for your specific project. It defines coding conventions, preferred patterns, testing approaches, and AI behavior guidelines. Think of it as a style guide that AI follows when generating or modifying code in your codebase.

Place the .cursorrules file in the root directory of your project, at the same level as your package.json, pyproject.toml, or other configuration files. The AI assistant will automatically read this file when working in your project and follow the rules you have defined.

The generator supports 10 programming languages: TypeScript, JavaScript, Python, Go, Rust, Java, C#, PHP, Ruby, and Swift. Each language has specific rules for its ecosystem, idioms, and best practices.

The generator supports 25+ frameworks including Next.js, React, Vue.js, Angular, Svelte, Express.js, NestJS for TypeScript/JavaScript; FastAPI, Django, Flask for Python; Gin, Echo, Fiber for Go; Actix, Rocket, Axum for Rust; Spring Boot, Quarkus for Java; ASP.NET Core, Blazor for C#; Laravel, Symfony for PHP; Rails, Sinatra for Ruby; and SwiftUI, UIKit, Vapor for Swift.

No, the .cursorrules generator is completely free to use. There are no subscriptions, no sign-ups required, and no usage limits. Generate as many .cursorrules files as you need.

Yes, the generated .cursorrules file is plain text that you can edit freely. Use it as a starting point and modify any rules to match your specific project requirements. You can add, remove, or adjust rules after downloading.

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