update-cursor-settings

# Updating Cursor Settings This skill guides you through modifying Cursor/VSCode user settings. Use this when the user wants to change editor settings, preferences, configuration, themes, keybindings, or any `settings.json` values. ## Check existing first **Before modifying ANY settings, verify:** 1. **Read current settings:** ```bash cat ~/.config/Cursor/User/settings.json 2>/dev/null | head -50 # Linux cat ~/Library/Application\ Support/Cursor/User/settings.json 2>/dev/null | head -50 # macOS ``` 2. **Check for workspace settings:** ```bash cat .vscode/settings.json 2>/dev/null ``` 3. **Understand current state:** - What's the current value of the setting? - Are there conflicting workspace settings? **Why:** Preserve existing settings. Only modify what's requested. ## Settings File Location | OS | Path | |----|------| | macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User/settings.json | | Linux | ~/.config/Cursor/User/settings.json | | Windows | %APPDATA%\Cursor\User\settings.json | ## Before Modifying Settings 1. **Read the existing settings file** to understand current configuration 2. **Preserve existing settings** - only add/modify what the user requested 3. **Validate JSON syntax** before writing to avoid breaking the editor ## Modifying Settings ### Step 1: Read Current Settings ```typescript // Read the settings file first const settingsPath = "~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User/settings.json"; // Use the Read tool to get current contents ``` ### Step 2: Identify the Setting to Change Common setting categories: - **Editor**: `editor.fontSize`, `editor.tabSize`, `editor.wordWrap`, `editor.formatOnSave` - **Workbench**: `workbench.colorTheme`, `workbench.iconTheme`, `workbench.sideBar.location` - **Files**: `files.autoSave`, `files.exclude`, `files.associations` - **Terminal**: `terminal.integrated.fontSize`, `terminal.integrated.shell.*` - **Cursor-specific**: Settings prefixed with `cursor.` or `aipopup.` ### Step 3: Update the Setting When modifying settings.json: 1. Parse the existing JSON (handle comments - VSCode settings support JSON with comments) 2. Add or update the requested setting 3. Preserve all other existing settings 4. Write back with proper formatting (2-space indentation) ### Example: Changing Font Size If user says "make the font bigger": ```json { "editor.fontSize": 16 } ``` ### Example: Enabling Format on Save If user says "format my code when I save": ```json { "editor.formatOnSave": true } ``` ### Example: Changing Theme If user says "use dark theme" or "change my theme": ```json { "workbench.colorTheme": "Default Dark Modern" } ``` ## Important Notes 1. **JSON with Comments**: VSCode/Cursor settings.json supports comments (`//` and `/* */`). When reading, be aware comments may exist. When writing, preserve comments if possible. 2. **Restart May Be Required**: Some settings take effect immediately, others require reloading the window or restarting Cursor. Inform the user if a restart is needed. 3. **Backup**: For significant changes, consider mentioning the user can undo via Ctrl/Cmd+Z in the settings file or by reverting git changes if tracked. 4. **Workspace vs User Settings**: - User settings (what this skill covers): Apply globally to all projects - Workspace settings (`.vscode/settings.json`): Apply only to the current project ## Common User Requests → Settings | User Request | Setting | |--------------|---------| | "bigger/smaller font" | `editor.fontSize` | | "change tab size" | `editor.tabSize` | | "format on save" | `editor.formatOnSave` | | "word wrap" | `editor.wordWrap` | | "change theme" | `workbench.colorTheme` | | "hide minimap" | `editor.minimap.enabled` | | "auto save" | `files.autoSave` | | "line numbers" | `editor.lineNumbers` | | "bracket matching" | `editor.bracketPairColorization.enabled` | | "cursor style" | `editor.cursorStyle` | | "smooth scrolling" | `editor.smoothScrolling` | ## Workflow 1. Read ~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User/settings.json 2. Parse the JSON content 3. Add/modify the requested setting(s) 4. Write the updated JSON back to the file 5. Inform the user the setting has been changed and whether a reload is needed