AI coding tools
Cursor Operating Card
Use Cursor Agent with scoped rules, reviewed terminal actions and diffs, deliberate privacy settings, and checkpoint-backed recovery.
- Format
- Reference
- Level
- Beginner
- Audience
- Practitioner, Developer
- Owner
- Project42 Editorial
- Review cadence
- Every 30 days
- Prerequisites
- A supported Cursor installation; A version-controlled working copy; An approved account and privacy configuration
Use the right mode and data boundary
Cursor Agent can search a codebase, edit files, run terminal commands, review diffs, and preserve checkpoints. Use Ask or a constrained custom mode when no mutation is needed and Agent mode only for an authorized implementation task.
Select privacy and indexing settings that match the repository's data classification. Do not assume that a product label substitutes for organizational review of account, retention, model, extension, or network behavior.
Scope persistent rules and terminal authority
Use project rules or AGENTS.md for stable repository guidance and keep task-specific context in the task. Review terminal commands and file diffs before accepting them, especially when auto-run behavior is enabled.
Checkpoint restoration helps with local experimentation, while Git and tested release gates remain the authoritative delivery and recovery controls.
Task: [one observable result]
Scope: [workspace and paths]
Permissions: [mode, terminal, edit, network]
Privacy: [approved account, indexing, and retention posture]
Rules: [applicable project instructions]
Verification: [diff review and exact checks]
Recovery: [checkpoint and Git restore boundary]Expected evidence and verification
Expected evidence includes the selected mode, applicable rules, effective privacy posture, reviewed commands and diff, and test output. Verify that restored checkpoints and current Git state agree before continuing.
If a change or command crosses scope, stop the agent, preserve the evidence, restore the smallest affected unit, and retry with narrower rules or permissions.