knownasnaffy Cursor Agent
Cursor Agent CLI runs on the user's Cursor subscription — zero API cost. Always prefer it over inline code generation for any non-trivial coding task.
Prerequisites
Required binary: agent (Cursor Agent CLI)
Install from the official site: https://cursor.com/docs/cli/overview — then verify with agent --version.
The helper script (scripts/run.sh) will exit with an error if agent is not found in PATH.
User Consent Required — MANDATORY
This skill MUST NOT be invoked autonomously. Every invocation requires:
- State intent first — tell the user: the repo, the task, the model, and whether files will be changed
- Wait for explicit "yes" — do not proceed without clear user approval
- Default to read-only — use
run.sh <repo> <task> <model> askunless the user explicitly asks for changes - Before writing files — run in
askmode first, show the user the plan, then ask: "Apply these changes?" - Before
--cloud— explicitly warn: "This will send repo contents to cursor.com. OK to proceed?" - Before committing — show the diff and get confirmation
The helper script (scripts/run.sh) defaults to ask (read-only). Pass write as the mode argument only after the user has confirmed changes should be applied.
Model Routing
| Task type | Model flag | Mode flag |
|---|---|---|
| Trivial / exploratory | (omit — auto) |
(omit) |
| Bug fix / feature / refactor | --model sonnet-4.6 |
(omit) |
| Code review / explain (read-only) | --model sonnet-4.6 |
--mode=ask |
| Architecture / design planning | --model opus-4.6-thinking |
--mode=plan |
| Long background task | --model sonnet-4.6 |
use --cloud instead of -p |
Headless Commands
Read-only first — always start with --mode=ask to review before applying changes:
cd <repo> && agent -p "<task>" --model sonnet-4.6 --mode=ask --output-format text --trust
Apply changes — only after user confirms the plan:
cd <repo> && agent -p "<task>" --model sonnet-4.6 --force --output-format text --trust
Cloud/background — warn user that repo data goes to cursor.com:
cd <repo> && agent -c "<task>" --model sonnet-4.6 --trust
# Monitor at: cursor.com/agents
Git Rule
Cursor sandbox blocks git commit. Always commit manually after Cursor edits:
cd <repo> && git add -A && git commit -m "<conventional commit message>" && git push
Show the diff to the user and confirm before committing if the change is large or touches sensitive areas.
Repos & Workdirs
- Always
cdto the correct repo before running - Check for
.cursor/rulesandAGENTS.mdin the repo root — Cursor loads these automatically for project context
Context & Sessions
- Add
@<file>in prompt to include specific files in context --continueor--resumeto continue a previous sessionagent lsto list previous sessions
Output Handling
--output-format text→ clean final answer, summarise key changes to the user--output-format json→ structured, use for scripted parsing- Always report back: what changed, what was committed, any issues found
References
- Model list & details:
references/models.md - Slash commands (interactive mode):
references/slash-commands.md