Software Development with Cursor: A Practical Technical Guide

Cursor is an AI-powered IDE that understands the full context of your project.
It can generate code, refactor entire files, create tests, and explain legacy systems.

However, productivity without control leads to technical debt.

This guide explains how to use Cursor strategically and safely in real-world projects.

How to Download and Install Cursor

1. Visit: https://cursor.sh

2. Download the version for your OS (Mac, Windows, or Linux)

3. Install it like any standard IDE

4. Log in to your account

5. Open an existing project or clone a repository

Cursor is built on top of VSCode, so extensions, shortcuts, and workflows will feel familiar.

How to Use the Cursor in Practice

Cursor’s key advantage is its global project awareness.

Main features:

• Cmd/Ctrl + K → Generate or edit code

• Cmd/Ctrl + L → Ask questions about your project

• Select code → Request refactoring

• Generate unit tests automatically

• Explain legacy or complex logic

Unlike traditional autocomplete tools, Cursor understands relationships across multiple files.

Practical Example: Building a CRUD API with Cursor

Let’s build a simple Users CRUD API using Node.js and Express.

1️⃣ Initial Project Setup

mkdir api-users
cd api-users
npm init -y
npm install express

Create a server.js file.

2️⃣ Generating the CRUD with Cursor

Open server.js, press:

Cmd + K

Then type:

Create a REST API in Node.js using Express with a complete CRUD for users.
Each user must have: id, name, email.
Store data in memory using an array.
Implement:
- GET /users
- GET /users/:id
- POST /users
- PUT /users/:id
- DELETE /users/:id 

Cursor will generate something similar to:

const express = require("express");
const app = express();
app.use(express.json());

let users = [];
let idCounter = 1;

app.get("/users", (req, res) => {
  res.json(users);
});

app.get("/users/:id", (req, res) => {
  const user = users.find(u => u.id == req.params.id);
  if (!user) return res.status(404).send("User not found");
  res.json(user);
});

app.post("/users", (req, res) => {
  const newUser = {
    id: idCounter++,
    name: req.body.name,
    email: req.body.email
  };
  users.push(newUser);
  res.status(201).json(newUser);
});

app.put("/users/:id", (req, res) => {
  const user = users.find(u => u.id == req.params.id);
  if (!user) return res.status(404).send("User not found");

  user.name = req.body.name;
  user.email = req.body.email;
  res.json(user);
});

app.delete("/users/:id", (req, res) => {
  users = users.filter(u => u.id != req.params.id);
  res.status(204).send();
});

app.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log("Server running on port 3000");
});

3️⃣ Improving the Code with AI

Now you can ask:

Cursor reorganizes the structure.

Then you can request:

Or:

This is where Cursor becomes powerful: rapid refactoring and evolution.

Writing Better Prompts

Generic prompts generate generic code.

Structured prompts generate better architecture.

Recommended prompt format:

The more context you provide, the better the output.

Defining Global Rules with .mdc

Cursor allows you to define global project rules.

Create a file:

Example:

These rules guide all future AI generations and reduce inconsistency.

Where Cursor Is Most Effective

• Boilerplate generation

• Structural refactoring

• Test generation

• Documentation creation

• Legacy code explanation

Where to Be Careful

• Authentication and authorization

• Financial calculations

• Security-sensitive logic

• Cryptography

• Regulatory rules

Always review manually.

Real Trade-offs

The biggest risk is not technical — it’s cognitive.

If you don’t understand what was generated, you lose control of your system.

Final Best Practices

• Use AI to accelerate, not to replace thinking

• Always review generated code

• Define clear .mdc rules

• Never delegate architecture decisions

• Maintain deep system understanding

Conclusion

Cursor does not replace engineering.

It eliminates repetitive tasks and increases iteration speed.

Developers who understand architecture become exponentially more productive.
Developers who only copy code become dependent.

AI does not eliminate programmers.
It eliminates superficiality.

🚀 Need modern, scalable software built for the AI era?

Tools like Cursor accelerate development — but speed without architecture creates technical debt.

At IBTI, we combine solid engineering principles, strong architecture practices, and strategic AI usage to build systems that are:

• Scalable

• Secure

• Financially robust

• Built for long-term growth

If you want to turn your idea into a high-level digital product — or modernize an existing system — talk to our team.

👉 Learn more about our software development services:
https://ibti.tech/en/services/software-development/