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.cursorrules file: examples, generator and how to migrate

.cursorrules is the original Cursor rules format: a single plain-text or Markdown file at the root of your project with instructions for the AI. Cursor still reads it for backward compatibility, but new projects should use .cursor/rules/*.mdc files or AGENTS.md, which support scoping and work across tools.

Generate a .cursorrules (legacy) file

Where the file goes

How it works

Tips for a good .cursorrules (legacy)

Example: React + Vite + Tailwind CSS v4 + TanStack Query

.cursorrules
# Cursor rules - this project

You are an expert React + Vite, Tailwind CSS v4, TanStack Query engineer working on this codebase. Follow these rules.

## Project

A React + Vite + Tailwind CSS v4 + TanStack Query project.

Stack: React + Vite, Tailwind CSS v4, TanStack Query.

## Commands

- Dev server: `npm run dev`
- Build: `npm run build`
- Type-check: `npx tsc --noEmit`
- Lint: `npm run lint`

## Project structure

- Features live in `src/features/<name>/` with their components, hooks and tests together.
- Shared UI in `src/components/`, hooks in `src/hooks/`.

## How to work in this repo

- Read the relevant files before editing. Follow the patterns already in the codebase over these generic rules.
- Make the smallest change that solves the task. Do not refactor or reformat unrelated code.
- Before saying a task is done, run the type-check, lint and tests listed under Commands and fix what you broke.
- If requirements are ambiguous, ask one clear question instead of guessing.
- Never commit secrets, API keys or `.env` files. Use env vars and keep `.env.example` up to date.
- Do not add a new dependency when the standard library or an existing dependency already covers it.
- Ask before adding, removing or upgrading any dependency.
- Ask before changing database schemas, auth, payments or CI configuration.
- Never delete files, drop data or run destructive commands (`rm -rf`, `git push --force`, `DROP TABLE`) without explicit approval.
- Keep each change under ~200 changed lines where possible; split larger work into steps.

## React + Vite

- Function components and hooks only. No class components.
- Follow the Rules of Hooks: call hooks at the top level, never inside conditions or loops.
- Derive values during render instead of syncing them into state with `useEffect`.
- Every list item needs a stable `key` from the data, never the array index if the list can change order.
- Type component props with an exported `Props` type or interface. No `any`.
- Env vars must start with `VITE_` to reach the client, which also means they are public. Never put secrets in them.
- Lazy-load heavy routes with `React.lazy` and `Suspense`.

## Tailwind CSS v4

- Tailwind v4 is configured in CSS: `@import "tailwindcss";` plus `@theme { ... }` for design tokens. Do not create a `tailwind.config.js` unless the project already has one.
- Use theme tokens (colors, spacing) instead of arbitrary values like `w-[37px]`.
- Build responsive layouts mobile-first with `sm:`, `md:`, `lg:` prefixes.
- Extract repeated class lists into components, not `@apply` chains.
- Support dark mode with the `dark:` variant when the project uses it.

## TanStack Query

- All server data goes through `useQuery` / `useMutation`; do not copy query results into `useState`.
- Use array query keys built by a small key factory (e.g. `todoKeys.detail(id)`).
- Invalidate or update affected queries in `onSuccess` of every mutation.
- Wrap queries in custom hooks (`useTodos()`) instead of calling `useQuery` inline everywhere.

## Avoid

- Do not reach for global state for data that only one component tree uses.

## Reference docs

- [React docs](https://react.dev)
- [Vite docs](https://vite.dev/guide/)
- [Tailwind CSS docs](https://tailwindcss.com/docs)
- [TanStack Query docs](https://tanstack.com/query/latest)

FAQ

Is .cursorrules deprecated?

It is legacy. Cursor still reads it but recommends Project Rules in .cursor/rules or AGENTS.md.

Where can I find .cursorrules examples?

This site has one for every stack page, generated from maintained rule modules. Community collections such as awesome-cursorrules also exist but vary in quality and age.

.cursorrules (legacy) templates by stack

Official docs: Cursor rules docs. Last reviewed 2026-10-21.