Productivity Best Practices
Explore effective productivity best practices for using Cursor AI in software development. Understand how to manage context, utilize different chat modes, integrate Git, and review code changes to enhance efficiency and maintain clarity. This lesson helps you adopt habits that streamline your workflow and make AI assistance more effective during coding projects.
We'll cover the following...
- Use the right chat mode for the task
- Add context before asking
- Start with a plan
- Review edits before accepting
- Use Git from the start
- Rename chat tabs for clarity
- Keep prompts clear and targeted
- Combine inline tools with chat
- Use the terminal and output without leaving the editor
- Reflect and iterate with chat history
- Conclusion
So far, we’ve explored Cursor’s capabilities in debugging, writing, refactoring, and building full projects. In this lesson, we’ll focus on how to use Cursor more intentionally, not just with its features but through a set of productive habits that elevate your experience.
From managing project context to integrating Git, small choices in how we interact with Cursor can make a big difference in efficiency and clarity. Let’s walk through the practices that help developers stay in flow and make the most of what Cursor has to offer.
Use the right chat mode for the task
Cursor offers three chat modes, Agent, Ask, and Manual, each designed for different workflows:
Agent mode is ideal when you want Cursor to take initiative in planning, editing, or running code. It is great for interactive tasks like scaffolding a new project, debugging issues, or transforming large code sections.
Ask mode is suited for getting answers or explanations without triggering automatic edits. It behaves more like a read-only advisor.
Manual mode gives you complete control. Cursor won’t include tools or context unless you explicitly provide it.
By switching modes based on intent, you can avoid surprises and stay aligned with your goal.
Add context before asking
Cursor is powerful when it understands the full picture. Before ...