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Workflow Optimization

Streamline your development process with advanced Cursor techniques and best practices.

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Optimizing Your Development Workflow

A well-optimized workflow can dramatically increase your productivity. Learn how to configure Cursor and organize your development process for maximum efficiency.

Key Benefits of Workflow Optimization

  • Faster Development: Reduce time spent on repetitive tasks
  • Better Code Quality: Consistent patterns and fewer errors
  • Improved Focus: Less context switching and distractions
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Standardized processes for team work

Master Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

AI-Powered Shortcuts

Open ChatCmd+L
AI Edit ModeCmd+K
Accept SuggestionTab
Reject SuggestionEsc
Next SuggestionAlt+]
Previous SuggestionAlt+[

Navigation Shortcuts

Quick Open FileCmd+P
Command PaletteCmd+Shift+P
Toggle SidebarCmd+B
Toggle TerminalCtrl+`
Global SearchCmd+Shift+F
Recent FilesCmd+R

Project Organization Best Practices

Folder Structure Optimization

Recommended Project Structure

TEXT
my-project/
├── src/
│   ├── components/          # Reusable UI components
│   │   ├── ui/             # Basic UI elements
│   │   └── features/       # Feature-specific components
│   ├── pages/              # Page components
│   ├── hooks/              # Custom React hooks
│   ├── utils/              # Utility functions
│   ├── types/              # TypeScript type definitions
│   ├── services/           # API and external services
│   └── styles/             # Global styles
├── public/                 # Static assets
├── docs/                   # Documentation
├── tests/                  # Test files
└── config/                 # Configuration files

File Naming Conventions

  • Components: PascalCase (e.g., UserProfile.tsx)
  • Hooks: camelCase starting with 'use' (e.g., useAuth.ts)
  • Utilities: camelCase (e.g., formatDate.ts)
  • Types: PascalCase with descriptive names (e.g., UserTypes.ts)
  • Constants: UPPER_SNAKE_CASE (e.g., API_ENDPOINTS.ts)

AI Workflow Patterns

Iterative Development Pattern

1

Start with a Skeleton

Ask AI to create a basic structure or outline

2

Iterate and Refine

Use follow-up prompts to improve and add features

3

Test and Debug

Use AI to help identify and fix issues

Context-Aware Development

TEXT
Effective AI prompts for context-aware development:

1. "Looking at the attached file, add error handling to this function"
2. "Based on the existing codebase patterns, create a similar component for user profiles"
3. "This function needs to integrate with the existing API service in /services/api.ts"
4. "Following the same TypeScript patterns used in this project, add proper typing"

Performance Optimization

Cursor Settings for Performance

settings.json - Performance Optimizations

JSON
{
  "cursor.ai.enabled": true,
  "cursor.ai.model": "gpt-4",
  "cursor.ai.maxTokens": 4000,
  "cursor.ai.temperature": 0.1,
  "editor.suggest.snippetsPreventQuickSuggestions": false,
  "editor.quickSuggestions": {
    "other": true,
    "comments": false,
    "strings": true
  },
  "editor.suggestOnTriggerCharacters": true,
  "editor.acceptSuggestionOnEnter": "on",
  "editor.tabCompletion": "on",
  "files.autoSave": "afterDelay",
  "files.autoSaveDelay": 1000
}

Memory Management

  • Close unused files and tabs regularly
  • Use workspace folders for large projects
  • Configure file exclusions in settings
  • Restart Cursor periodically for large projects

Team Collaboration Workflows

Shared Configuration

.vscode/settings.json - Team Settings

JSON
{
  "cursor.ai.enabled": true,
  "cursor.ai.model": "gpt-4",
  "editor.formatOnSave": true,
  "editor.codeActionsOnSave": {
    "source.fixAll.eslint": true,
    "source.organizeImports": true
  },
  "files.exclude": {
    "**/node_modules": true,
    "**/dist": true,
    "**/.next": true
  },
  "search.exclude": {
    "**/node_modules": true,
    "**/dist": true,
    "**/.next": true
  }
}

Code Review Integration

  • Use AI to generate comprehensive commit messages
  • Ask AI to review code for potential issues
  • Generate documentation for complex functions
  • Create test cases for new features

Workflow Mastered! ⚡

You've learned how to optimize your development workflow with Cursor. These techniques will significantly improve your productivity and code quality.

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