AI-Powered Code Writing

In this lesson, we’ll build a simple “Hello, World!” Flask application using natural language prompts and explore how Cursor supports real development workflows. The focus is on how the AI assists us at each step, from generating files to debugging and running the code.

We’ll learn how to:

• Prompt Cursor to generate functional code using plain English.

• Scaffold and structure a working Python Flask app.

• Handle setup steps like creating virtual environments and installing dependencies.

• Run code, respond to errors, and adapt when things do not go as expected.

• Add new features incrementally by continuing the conversation.

• Use chat settings like Agent mode, model selection, and context attachment for better results.

We may run into missing packages, permission issues, or environment-related errors. We’ll work through them step by step, just like we would in any real-world development process. Along the way, we’ll see how Cursor helps streamline tasks, reduce manual effort, and support our decision-making without taking control away.

Setting up project folder (Important first step)

Before entering your first prompt in Cursor, it's important to start with a clean setup. A common mistake is starting a chat in a blank Cursor window, which can lead to problems like lost chat history or permission errors when the AI tries to write files.

To avoid this, follow this simple best practice:

• For a new project: Create a new folder on your system (e.g., MyFirstCursorApp). Then open this folder in Cursor using “Open Folder”, and only then start our AI chat.

• For an existing project: Always open the relevant project folder first before you begin chatting or generating files.

By opening a folder first, we ensure that:

• Our chat history is tied to the specific project and saved with it.

• Cursor has access to create or modify files as needed.

• The AI understands your project structure from the start.

This small step ensures a smoother and reliable development experience.

Generating the Flask app with a prompt

To get started, we open a new chat with Cursor and enter a natural language prompt:

Prompt: Please write code to create a basic hello world python flask app.

Cursor responds by scaffolding a basic Flask application for us. It automatically generates:

• app.py: The main application file that sets up a simple route returning "Hello, World!".

• requirements.txt: Specifies the Flask dependency (Flask==3.0.2).

• README.md: Provides setup instructions, including virtual environment creation and server startup steps.

This saves us time and gets us straight into a ...