Skip to main content
CODING-WITH-CURSOR5 MIN READ

Find why the project rule is not taking

Diagnose common Cursor project-rule authoring mistakes from a visual file-tree scene.

The convention exists, but Agent keeps missing it. Which visible issues explain why Cursor may ignore or underuse the backend validation guidance? Project rule saved as plain markdown Correct. Cursor project rules must be .mdc files under .cursor/rules. A plain .md file there can look useful but be ignored by the rules system. No activation metadata Correct. Without alwaysApply, globs, or a useful description, the rule has no reliable trigger unless someone manually @-mentions it. Huge copied style guide Correct. This may not make the rule invisible, but it makes it weak. Cursor's rule guidance favors focused, actionable rules and…

Read the full lesson

Sign up free — one personalized lesson every day, matched to your role and goals.

Already have an account? Sign in

← Back to library
Contact us