cursor-rules

name	cursor-rules
description	Project, user, and team rules that the Cursor SDK and Agent load — `.cursor/rules/*.mdc`, `AGENTS.md`, and the legacy `.cursorrules`. Use when authoring rules that the SDK will pick up via `local.settingSources`, or when writing rule frontmatter with the right type (always / auto-attached / agent-requested / manual).
metadata	{"internal":false,"source":"https://cursor.com/docs/context/rules"}

cursor-rules

Rules are how you bake context into a project so every Agent run starts with the right instructions. The SDK reads them through local.settingSources — see [[../cursor-sdk/references/local-options]].

When to use

• Adding repo-level coding conventions an SDK agent should follow
• Writing per-folder AGENTS.md for nested context
• Migrating from .cursorrules to .cursor/rules/*.mdc
• Choosing between always-on, auto-attached, agent-requested, and manual rules

File locations

• [[references/file-locations]] — .cursor/rules/, AGENTS.md, legacy .cursorrules
• [[references/scope-and-precedence]] — team / project / user, hierarchy

Authoring .mdc rules

• [[references/mdc-frontmatter]] — description, globs, alwaysApply
• [[references/rule-types]] — Always / Auto-attached / Agent-requested / Manual
• [[references/glob-patterns]] — **/*.tsx, comma-separated lists

AGENTS.md

• [[references/agents-md]] — markdown-only, nested per directory
• [[references/agents-md-vs-rules]] — when to pick which

SDK integration

• [[references/sdk-integration]] — settingSources and what loads where
• [[references/limitations]] — Tab and Inline Edit don't read rules

Cross-links

• SDK setting sources → [[../cursor-sdk/references/local-options]]
• Hooks (sibling .cursor/ feature) → [[../cursor-hooks/SKILL]]
• Skills (sibling .cursor/ feature) → [[../cursor-skills-system/SKILL]]