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Prompts

Cursor prompt library for first-week builders.

Good prompts set boundaries. These prompts tell Cursor what to inspect, what to change, what to leave alone, and how to explain risk.

Planning prompt

“Inspect the current project. Summarize what exists, identify the likely entry files, and propose a three-step plan. Do not edit files until I approve the plan.”

Small edit prompt

“Make the smallest safe change to accomplish [goal]. Touch the fewest files possible. After the change, tell me exactly what changed and how to test it.”

Debugging prompt

“Here is the exact error: [paste error]. Give me the top three likely causes, the first thing to inspect, and one fix at a time. Do not rewrite unrelated code.”

Refactor prompt

“Refactor this for readability without changing behavior. List the behavior that must stay the same, then make the change and show me the test path.”

Claude handoff prompt

“Turn this messy build problem into a clean Cursor task. Include goal, files likely involved, constraints, risks, and a definition of done.”

Anti-chaos rules

  • Ask for a plan first.
  • Limit file changes.
  • Never hide errors.
  • Keep commands explainable.
  • Test after each meaningful edit.

FAQ

Do long prompts work better?

Not always. Clear constraints work better than long vague prompts.

Should I ask Cursor to explain everything?

Ask for explanations when you are learning or before terminal commands. Do not ask for essays on every tiny CSS change.

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