Cursor Reference

Cursor AI Reference Skill

Core Principle

Always prefer fetching from official documentation over relying on training data. When working with Cursor features, use the official docs at https://cursor.com/docs as the authoritative source. This applies both when users ask AND when the Agent needs accurate information about how Cursor works internally.

When to Use This Skill

Trigger in all these contexts:

• User asks about Cursor features, configuration, or commands
• Agent needs to implement hooks, skills, MCP servers, or plugins for Cursor
• Agent needs to configure Cursor settings (hooks.json, mcp.json, rules)
• Agent encounters an unfamiliar Cursor feature or command
• Agent needs to write Cursor hooks (preToolUse, postToolUse)
• Agent needs to understand permissions, allow/deny lists
• Agent needs to use Cursor CLI (agent command with subcommands)
• Agent needs to integrate with MCP servers
• Agent needs to troubleshoot Cursor issues
• Agent needs accurate API reference, SDK usage, or configuration syntax

Official Documentation Index

Base URL: https://cursor.com/docs

Getting Started

• Overview: /docs
• Quickstart: /docs/intro
• Hooks: /docs/hooks
• Third-party hooks: /docs/reference/third-party-hooks

CLI Reference

• CLI overview: /docs/cli/reference
• Parameters: /docs/cli/reference/parameters
• Permissions: /docs/cli/reference/permissions
• MCP: /docs/cli/mcp

CLI Commands

• agent - Main agent mode command
• agent login / agent logout - Authentication
• agent status / agent whoami - Status check
• agent models - List available models
• agent mcp list - List MCP servers
• agent mcp add - Add MCP server
• agent mcp login <identifier> - Login to MCP
• agent about - About cursor
• agent update - Update cursor
• agent ls - List sessions
• agent resume <session> - Resume a session
• agent create-chat - Create new chat
• agent generate-rule / agent rule - Generate customization rules
• agent install-shell-integration - Install shell integration
• agent -p --force - Headless mode for CI

Hooks System

• Hooks overview: /docs/hooks
• Third-party hooks: /docs/reference/third-party-hooks
• preToolUse hook - Called before tool execution (allow, deny, modify input)
• postToolUse hook - Called after successful tool execution (audit, inject context)
• Matcher support - Filter hooks by tool type (e.g., "Shell")

MCP (Model Context Protocol)

• MCP overview: /docs/cli/mcp
• agent mcp list - List configured MCP servers
• agent mcp add - Add new MCP server
• agent mcp login <identifier> - MCP authentication
• Configuration via mcp.json
• Can disable MCP tools globally

Permissions

• Permissions docs: /docs/cli/reference/permissions
• Configure allow/deny lists for:
  • Shell commands
  • File paths (glob patterns supported)
  • Web domains
  • MCP tools

Rules

• Generate custom rules with agent generate-rule
• Customization rules for behavior

Workflow

Step 1: Identify the Topic

Map the question to the most relevant documentation page(s). Use the index above for guidance.

Step 2: Fetch from Official Docs

Use WebFetch to retrieve the relevant page(s):

WebFetch(url="https://cursor.com/docs/[topic]", prompt="Extract all relevant information about [specific topic]")

For unknown topics, start with the main docs page:

WebFetch(url="https://cursor.com/docs", prompt="Find documentation related to [topic]")

Step 3: Synthesize and Answer

Combine information from official docs with your own knowledge. When citing specific features, configuration options, or command syntax, always reference the official documentation as the source.

Step 4: Provide Actionable Guidance

Don't just quote docs — provide concrete examples, configuration snippets, or step-by-step instructions based on what the official docs say.

Examples

User asks about hooks: → Fetch /docs/hooks, explain hook types (preToolUse, postToolUse), configuration, and provide examples.

Agent needs to configure MCP: → Fetch /docs/cli/mcp, explain MCP server setup, CLI commands (mcp list, mcp add, mcp login), and provide examples.

User asks about permissions: → Fetch /docs/cli/reference/permissions, explain allow/deny configuration for shell, files, web, and MCP tools.

User asks about CLI commands: → Fetch /docs/cli/reference/parameters, list relevant commands with flags and examples.

User asks about headless/CI mode: → Explain agent -p --force for non-interactive/CI pipelines.

Important Notes

• Cursor has a hooks system similar to other AI coding tools but with differences — always fetch the specific Cursor documentation.
• The CLI uses agent as the main command (not cursor), with subcommands for different operations.
• Permissions use glob patterns for file paths and support granular control per category.
• MCP servers are configured in mcp.json but managed via CLI commands.
• If a page doesn't exist or can't be fetched, fall back to your training knowledge but clearly note when the information may be outdated.

Source: platootalp/claude-harness — distributed by TomeVault.