Fix: Cursor Ignores Your Instructions or Does Something Different
Quick Answer
Be more specific. Instead of 'add a login page', write: 'Create a login page at src/app/login/page.tsx using TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, and Supabase Auth. Include email/password fields only. No social login. Match the existing design in src/app/page.tsx.'
Quick Fix Summary
| Issue | Not following my instructions |
| Fastest fix | Specify the exact file path |
| Use this page if | Cursor uses a different framework than you specified |
Symptoms
- !Cursor uses a different framework than you specified
- !AI adds features you didn't ask for
- !Generated code ignores your style preferences
- !Cursor uses JavaScript when you asked for TypeScript
Step-by-Step Fix
Specify the exact file path
Instead of 'create a component', say 'create src/components/LoginForm.tsx'. Cursor follows instructions better when you specify exact locations.
List what you DON'T want
Add constraints: 'Do NOT use any external libraries. Do NOT add social login. Do NOT modify existing files. Only create the new file I specified.'
Reference existing code
Say 'follow the same pattern as @src/components/Header.tsx' to ensure consistency. The AI mimics patterns it can see.
Break complex tasks into steps
Instead of one large prompt, use a sequence: Step 1: Create the component. Step 2: Add form validation. Step 3: Connect to auth. Each step gets better results than one mega-prompt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Without explicit context, Cursor defaults to whatever pattern it saw most during training. Always specify your stack in the prompt or in .cursorrules.
Yes. A good .cursorrules file eliminates 80% of 'wrong framework' issues. Include your stack, conventions, and file structure.
Related
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