Using Skill Seekers with Cursor IDE

Using Skill Seekers with Cursor IDE

Last Updated: February 5, 2026 Status: Production Ready Difficulty: Easy ⭐

🎯 The Problem

Cursor IDE offers powerful AI coding assistance, but:

• Generic Knowledge - AI doesn't know your project-specific frameworks
• No Custom Context - Can't reference your internal docs or codebase patterns
• Manual Context - Copy-pasting documentation is tedious and error-prone
• Inconsistent - AI responses vary based on what context you provide

Example:

"When building a Django app in Cursor, the AI might suggest outdated patterns or miss project-specific conventions. You want the AI to 'know' your framework documentation without manual prompting."

✨ The Solution

Use Skill Seekers to create custom documentation for Cursor's AI:

1. Generate structured docs from any framework or codebase
2. Package as .cursorrules - Cursor's custom instruction format
3. Automatic Context - AI references your docs in every interaction
4. Project-Specific - Different rules per project

Result: Cursor's AI becomes an expert in your frameworks with persistent, automatic context.

🚀 Quick Start (5 Minutes)

Prerequisites

• Cursor IDE installed (https://cursor.sh/)
• Python 3.10+ (for Skill Seekers)

Installation

# Install Skill Seekers
pip install skill-seekers

# Verify installation
skill-seekers --version

Generate .cursorrules

# Example: Django framework
skill-seekers scrape --config configs/django.json

# Package for Cursor
skill-seekers package output/django --target markdown

# Extract SKILL.md (this becomes your .cursorrules content)
# output/django-markdown/SKILL.md

Setup in Cursor

Option 1: Global Rules (applies to all projects)

# Copy to Cursor's global config
cp output/django-markdown/SKILL.md ~/.cursor/.cursorrules

Option 2: Project-Specific Rules (recommended)

# Copy to your project root
cp output/django-markdown/SKILL.md /path/to/your/project/.cursorrules

Option 3: Multiple Frameworks

# Create modular rules file
cat > /path/to/your/project/.cursorrules << 'EOF'
# Django Framework Expert
You are an expert in Django. Use the following documentation:

EOF

# Append Django docs
cat output/django-markdown/SKILL.md >> /path/to/your/project/.cursorrules

# Add React if needed
echo "\n\n# React Framework Expert\n" >> /path/to/your/project/.cursorrules
cat output/react-markdown/SKILL.md >> /path/to/your/project/.cursorrules

Test in Cursor

1. Open your project in Cursor
2. Open any file (.py, .js, etc.)
3. Use Cursor's AI chat (Cmd+K or Cmd+L)
4. Ask: "How do I create a Django model with relationships?"

Expected: AI responds using patterns and examples from your .cursorrules!

📖 Detailed Setup Guide

Step 1: Choose Your Documentation Source

Option A: Framework Documentation

# Available presets: django, fastapi, react, vue, etc.
skill-seekers scrape --config configs/react.json
skill-seekers package output/react --target markdown

Option B: GitHub Repository

# Scrape from GitHub repo
skill-seekers github --repo facebook/react --name react
skill-seekers package output/react --target markdown

Option C: Local Codebase

# Analyze your own codebase
skill-seekers analyze --directory /path/to/repo --comprehensive
skill-seekers package output/codebase --target markdown

Option D: Multiple Sources

# Combine docs + code
skill-seekers unified \
  --docs-config configs/fastapi.json \
  --github fastapi/fastapi \
  --name fastapi-complete

skill-seekers package output/fastapi-complete --target markdown

Step 2: Optimize for Cursor

Cursor has a 200KB limit for .cursorrules. Skill Seekers markdown output is optimized, but for very large documentation:

Strategy 1: Summarize (Recommended)

# Use AI enhancement to create concise version
skill-seekers enhance output/django --mode LOCAL

# Result: More concise, better structured SKILL.md

Strategy 2: Split by Category

# Create separate rules files per category
# In your .cursorrules:
cat > .cursorrules << 'EOF'
# Django Models Expert
You are an expert in Django models and ORM.

When working with Django models, reference these patterns:
EOF

# Extract only models category from references/
cat output/django/references/models.md >> .cursorrules

Strategy 3: Router Approach

# Use router skill (generates high-level overview)
skill-seekers unified \
  --docs-config configs/django.json \
  --build-router

# Result: Lightweight architectural guide
cat output/django/ARCHITECTURE.md > .cursorrules

Step 3: Configure Cursor Settings

.cursorrules format:

# Framework Expert Instructions

You are an expert in [Framework Name]. Follow these guidelines:

## Core Concepts
[Your documentation here]

## Common Patterns
[Patterns from Skill Seekers]

## Code Examples
[Examples from documentation]

## Best Practices
- Pattern 1
- Pattern 2

## Anti-Patterns to Avoid
- Anti-pattern 1
- Anti-pattern 2

Cursor respects this structure and uses it as persistent context.

Step 4: Test and Refine

Good prompts to test:

1. "Create a [Framework] component that does X"
2. "What's the recommended pattern for Y in [Framework]?"
3. "Refactor this code to follow [Framework] best practices"
4. "Explain how [Specific Feature] works in [Framework]"

Signs it's working:

• AI mentions specific framework concepts
• Suggests code matching documentation patterns
• References framework-specific terminology
• Provides accurate, up-to-date examples

🎨 Advanced Usage

Multi-Framework Projects

# Generate rules for full-stack project
skill-seekers scrape --config configs/fastapi.json
skill-seekers scrape --config configs/react.json
skill-seekers scrape --config configs/postgresql.json

skill-seekers package output/fastapi --target markdown
skill-seekers package output/react --target markdown
skill-seekers package output/postgresql --target markdown

# Combine into single .cursorrules
cat > .cursorrules << 'EOF'
# Full-Stack Expert (FastAPI + React + PostgreSQL)

You are an expert in full-stack development using FastAPI, React, and PostgreSQL.

---
# Backend: FastAPI
EOF

cat output/fastapi-markdown/SKILL.md >> .cursorrules

echo "\n\n---\n# Frontend: React\n" >> .cursorrules
cat output/react-markdown/SKILL.md >> .cursorrules

echo "\n\n---\n# Database: PostgreSQL\n" >> .cursorrules
cat output/postgresql-markdown/SKILL.md >> .cursorrules

Project-Specific Patterns

# Analyze your codebase
skill-seekers analyze --directory . --comprehensive

# Extract patterns and architecture
cat output/codebase/SKILL.md > .cursorrules

# Add custom instructions
cat >> .cursorrules << 'EOF'

## Project-Specific Guidelines

### Architecture
- Use EventBus pattern for cross-component communication
- All API calls go through services/api.ts
- State management with Zustand (not Redux)

### Naming Conventions
- Components: PascalCase (e.g., UserProfile.tsx)
- Hooks: camelCase with 'use' prefix (e.g., useAuth.ts)
- Utils: camelCase (e.g., formatDate.ts)

### Testing
- Unit tests: *.test.ts
- Integration tests: *.integration.test.ts
- Use vitest, not jest
EOF

Dynamic Context per File Type

Cursor supports directory-specific rules:

# Backend rules (for Python files)
cat output/fastapi-markdown/SKILL.md > backend/.cursorrules

# Frontend rules (for TypeScript files)
cat output/react-markdown/SKILL.md > frontend/.cursorrules

# Database rules (for SQL files)
cat output/postgresql-markdown/SKILL.md > database/.cursorrules

When you open a file, Cursor uses the closest .cursorrules in the directory tree.

Cursor + RAG Pipeline

For massive documentation (>200KB):

1. Use Pinecone/Chroma for vector storage
2. Use Cursor for code generation
3. Build API to query vectors

# cursor_rag.py - Custom Cursor context provider
from pinecone import Pinecone
from openai import OpenAI

def get_relevant_docs(query: str, top_k: int = 3) -> str:
    """Fetch relevant docs from vector store."""
    pc = Pinecone()
    index = pc.Index("framework-docs")

    # Create query embedding
    openai_client = OpenAI()
    response = openai_client.embeddings.create(
        model="text-embedding-ada-002",
        input=query
    )
    query_embedding = response.data[0].embedding

    # Query Pinecone
    results = index.query(
        vector=query_embedding,
        top_k=top_k,
        include_metadata=True
    )

    # Format for Cursor
    context = "\n\n".join([
        f"**{m['metadata']['category']}**: {m['metadata']['text']}"
        for m in results["matches"]
    ])

    return context

# Usage in .cursorrules
# "When answering questions, first call cursor_rag.py to get relevant context"

💡 Best Practices

1. Keep Rules Focused

Good:

# Django ORM Expert
You are an expert in Django's ORM system.

Focus on:
- Model definitions
- QuerySets and managers
- Database relationships
- Migrations

[Detailed ORM documentation]

Bad:

# Everything Expert
You know everything about Django, React, AWS, Docker, and 50 other technologies...
[Huge wall of text]

2. Use Hierarchical Structure

# Framework Expert

## 1. Core Concepts (High-level)
Brief overview of key concepts

## 2. Common Patterns (Mid-level)
Practical patterns and examples

## 3. API Reference (Low-level)
Detailed API documentation

## 4. Troubleshooting
Common issues and solutions

3. Include Anti-Patterns

## Anti-Patterns to Avoid

❌ **DON'T** use class-based components in React
✅ **DO** use functional components with hooks

❌ **DON'T** mutate state directly
✅ **DO** use setState or useState updater function

4. Add Code Examples

## Creating a Django Model

✅ **Recommended Pattern:**
```python
from django.db import models

class Product(models.Model):
    name = models.CharField(max_length=200)
    price = models.DecimalField(max_digits=10, decimal_places=2)
    created_at = models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)

    class Meta:
        ordering = ['-created_at']

    def __str__(self):
        return self.name

5. Update Regularly

# Set up monthly refresh
crontab -e

# Add line to regenerate rules monthly
0 0 1 * * cd ~/projects && skill-seekers scrape --config configs/django.json && skill-seekers package output/django --target markdown && cp output/django-markdown/SKILL.md ~/.cursorrules

🔥 Real-World Examples

Example 1: Django + React Full-Stack

.cursorrules:

# Full-Stack Developer Expert (Django + React)

## Backend: Django REST Framework

You are an expert in Django and Django REST Framework.

### Serializers
Always use ModelSerializer for database models:
```python
from rest_framework import serializers
from .models import User

class UserSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
    class Meta:
        model = User
        fields = ['id', 'username', 'email', 'date_joined']
        read_only_fields = ['id', 'date_joined']

ViewSets

Use ViewSets for CRUD operations:

from rest_framework import viewsets

class UserViewSet(viewsets.ModelViewSet):
    queryset = User.objects.all()
    serializer_class = UserSerializer

Frontend: React + TypeScript

You are an expert in React with TypeScript.

Components

Always type props and use functional components:

interface UserProps {
  user: User;
  onUpdate: (user: User) => void;
}

export function UserProfile({ user, onUpdate }: UserProps) {
  // Component logic
}

API Calls

Use TanStack Query for data fetching:

import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query';

function useUser(id: string) {
  return useQuery({
    queryKey: ['user', id],
    queryFn: () => api.getUser(id),
  });
}

Project Conventions

• Backend: /api/v1/ prefix for all endpoints
• Frontend: /src/features/ for feature-based organization
• Tests: Co-located with source files (.test.ts)
• API client: src/lib/api.ts (single source of truth)

### Example 2: Godot Game Engine

**.cursorrules:**
```markdown
# Godot 4.x Game Developer Expert

You are an expert in Godot 4.x game development with GDScript.

## Scene Structure
Always use scene tree hierarchy:
- Root node matches script class name
- Group related nodes under containers
- Use descriptive node names (PascalCase)

## Signals
Prefer signals over direct function calls:
```gdscript
# Declare signal
signal health_changed(new_health: int)

# Emit signal
health_changed.emit(current_health)

# Connect in parent
player.health_changed.connect(_on_player_health_changed)

Node Access

Use @onready for node references:

@onready var sprite = $Sprite2D
@onready var animation_player = $AnimationPlayer

Project Patterns (from codebase analysis)

EventBus Pattern

Use autoload EventBus for global events:

# EventBus.gd (autoload)
signal game_started
signal game_over(score: int)

# In any script
EventBus.game_started.emit()

Resource-Based Data

Store game data in Resources:

# item_data.gd
class_name ItemData extends Resource

@export var item_name: String
@export var icon: Texture2D
@export var price: int

---

## 🐛 Troubleshooting

### Issue: .cursorrules Not Loading

**Solutions:**
```bash
# 1. Check file location
ls -la .cursorrules          # Project root
ls -la ~/.cursor/.cursorrules # Global

# 2. Verify file is UTF-8
file .cursorrules

# 3. Restart Cursor completely
# Cmd+Q (macOS) or Alt+F4 (Windows), then reopen

# 4. Check Cursor settings
# Settings > Features > Ensure "Custom Instructions" is enabled

Issue: Rules Too Large (>200KB)

Solutions:

# Check file size
ls -lh .cursorrules

# Reduce size:
# 1. Use --enhance to create concise version
skill-seekers enhance output/django --mode LOCAL

# 2. Extract only essential sections
cat output/django/SKILL.md | head -n 1000 > .cursorrules

# 3. Use category-specific rules (split by directory)
cat output/django/references/models.md > models/.cursorrules
cat output/django/references/views.md > views/.cursorrules

Issue: AI Not Using Rules

Diagnostics:

1. Ask Cursor: "What frameworks do you know about?"
   - If it mentions your framework, rules are loaded
   - If not, rules aren't loading

2. Test with specific prompt:
   "Create a [Framework-specific concept]"
   - Should use terminology from your docs

3. Check Cursor's response format:
   - Does it match patterns from your docs?
   - Does it mention framework-specific features?

Solutions:

• Restart Cursor
• Verify .cursorrules is in correct location
• Check file size (<200KB)
• Test with simpler rules first

Issue: Inconsistent AI Responses

Solutions:

# Add explicit instructions at top of .cursorrules:

# IMPORTANT: Always reference the patterns and examples below
# When suggesting code, use the exact patterns shown
# When explaining concepts, use the terminology defined here
# If you don't know something, say so - don't make up patterns

📊 Before vs After Comparison

🤝 Community & Support

• Questions: GitHub Discussions
• Issues: GitHub Issues
• Documentation: https://skillseekersweb.com/
• Cursor Forum: https://forum.cursor.sh/

📚 Related Guides

• LangChain Integration
• LlamaIndex Integration
• Pinecone Integration
• RAG Pipelines Overview

📖 Next Steps

1. Generate your first .cursorrules from a framework you use
2. Test in Cursor with framework-specific prompts
3. Refine and iterate based on AI responses
4. Share your .cursorrules with your team
5. Automate updates with monthly regeneration

Last Updated: February 5, 2026 Tested With: Cursor 0.41+, Claude Sonnet 4.5 Skill Seekers Version: v2.9.0+