When building a web app with Cursor, an AI-powered code editor, providing the right context is key to getting accurate and useful code suggestions. Attaching relevant documents helps Cursor understand your project’s goals, structure, and requirements. Here’s a list of must-have documents to upload, along with brief explanations and examples—perfect for streamlining your development process.
1. PRD (Product Requirements Document)
- What it is: Defines the vision, goals, and core features of your web app—essentially the “what” and “why.”
- Why it helps: Gives Cursor the big picture to align suggestions with your product’s purpose.
- Example: “EasyShop - A simple e-commerce web app for small stores, featuring product uploads and sales tracking.”
2. Requirements Document
- What it is: Outlines detailed functional and technical requirements—the “how” of implementation.
- Why it helps: Provides specifics for Cursor to generate precise code snippets.
- Example: “Use React for the frontend, implement POST /api/login to return a JWT token.”
3. Technical Design Document
- What it is: Describes the system architecture, APIs, and database structure.
- Why it helps: Ensures Cursor follows your technical blueprint for consistent code.
- Example: “RESTful API architecture, MongoDB with a ‘products’ table: id, name, price.”
4. UI/UX Guidelines or Wireframes
- What it is: Specifies the interface design and user experience expectations.
- Why it helps: Guides Cursor to create UI components that match your vision.
- Example: “Use Tailwind CSS, design a product upload form with 3 fields: name, price, image.”
5. Coding Rules Document
- What it is: Sets coding standards and file organization rules.
- Why it helps: Keeps Cursor’s output consistent with your team’s style.
- Example: “Use camelCase, store components in src/components/.”
6. Existing Codebase (Sample Code or Project Files)
- What it is: Pre-written code from your project.
- Why it helps: Lets Cursor learn your style and maintain continuity.
- Example: “App.js - Basic React setup with routing.”
7. Competitive Analysis or Reference Materials
- What it is: Highlights features from similar apps for inspiration.
- Why it helps: Encourages Cursor to suggest ideas based on industry standards.
- Example: “Add a product preview feature like Shopify.”
How to Use These with Cursor
Simply upload these documents (in .txt, .md, or .pdf format) to Cursor and pair them with clear prompts like, “Based on the PRD, build a React login component.” For smaller projects, starting with just the PRD and Requirements Document can suffice. Keep them concise—1-2 pages each—and watch Cursor transform your context into actionable code.
By attaching these documents, you’ll empower Cursor to deliver tailored, high-quality suggestions, saving you time and effort in web app development. Happy coding!