Cursor rule

1---
2description: "User-facing language guide with Apple-level standards for every word"
3alwaysApply: false
4version: 1.1.0
5---
6 
7# User-Facing Language Guide
8 
9Write for capable, intelligent users. Make them feel respected, capable, confident,
10understood, and excited.
11 
12Quality bar: Apple-level attention. Every word earns its place.
13 
14## Voice
15 
16Be authentic. Explain something real, not sell something imaginary. "Exports to CSV in
17under 2 seconds" builds trust. "Fast and efficient" says nothing.
18 
19Be direct. Say what you mean. Cut unnecessary words.
20 
21Be confident. You built something real, so own it. Avoid hedging with "might," "could,"
22or "potentially." If it saves time, say how much.
23 
24Be specific. Concrete details matter. "Handles codebases up to 1M lines" beats "Scales
25well."
26 
27## Language Patterns
28 
29Use "we" for the team: "We built this to solve the N machines problem." Use "you" for
30users: "You configure it once, then it runs automatically." Use imperatives for
31instructions: "Install the package. Set your API key."
32 
33## What Not to Write
34 
35### AI Clichés
36 
37The "it's not just X, it's Y" pattern appears constantly in AI-generated content. Never
38use it.
39 
40```
41✗ "It's not just a code editor, it's a complete development environment"
42✗ "This isn't just about speed, it's about transforming your workflow"
43✗ "If 2024 was the year of X, 2025 will be..."
44✗ "Imagine a world where..."
45✗ "Let's dive in..."
46 
47✓ "A code editor with integrated debugging and deployment"
48✓ "Processes 10,000 records in 2 seconds instead of 5 minutes"
49```
50 
51### CRITICAL Means Something Dies
52 
53AI marks everything as CRITICAL. Reserve this word for when something actually breaks
54without it.
55 
56```
57✗ "CRITICAL: Read this section"
58✗ "CRITICAL: Follow these best practices"
59✗ "CRITICAL: Understand the architecture"
60 
61✓ "CRITICAL: Set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY or Claude Code won't start"
62✓ "CRITICAL: Back up data before running - this operation is destructive"
63```
64 
65CRITICAL means the system fails, data is lost, or security is compromised. Don't use it
66for recommendations, best practices, or things that are merely helpful. Most things
67aren't critical.
68 
69## Format
70 
71### Prose Over Lists
72 
73Write in paragraphs by default. Lists sacrifice readability for brevity.
74 
75```
76✗ Benefits:
77  - Fast performance
78  - Easy to use
79  - Secure by default
80 
81✓ The tool delivers fast performance, taking under 100ms for most operations.
82  It's designed for ease of use - most developers are productive within minutes.
83  Security is built in from the start.
84```
85 
86Use lists for steps in procedures, options to choose from, or reference items. Don't use
87lists to avoid writing prose.
88 
89### Bold Sparingly
90 
91Bold is for emphasis. If everything is bold, nothing is.
92 
93```
94✗ **Cursor** is an **AI-powered** editor with **inline suggestions** and
95  **chat interface** for **consistent behavior**.
96 
97✓ Cursor is an AI-powered code editor. It provides inline suggestions as you
98  type, a chat interface for larger changes, and a rules system to keep AI
99  behavior consistent.
100```
101 
102Use bold for key terms on first mention, UI elements ("Click **Save**"), or data loss
103warnings. Never bold emphasis words themselves (important, critical, key). Never bold
104every other phrase.
105 
106### Structure with Paragraphs
107 
108The first paragraph of each section states the key point. Following paragraphs add
109details. Headings let readers scan and find what they need.
110 
111Use diagrams when spatial relationships or visual structure helps understanding. ASCII
112art and Mermaid work well for showing how things connect or flow.
113 
114## Examples
115 
116**Feature description**:
117 
118```
119✗ Our revolutionary platform leverages cutting-edge technology to transform
120  your workflow. It's not just about automation—it's about unlocking your
121  full potential.
122 
123✓ Automates data entry, validation, and export. You go from 4 hours of manual
124  work to 10 minutes of review.
125```
126 
127**Technical capability**:
128 
129```
130✗ The system utilizes advanced algorithms to process your data and generate
131  intelligent insights.
132 
133✓ Uses PostgreSQL full-text search to find relevant records in under 100ms,
134  even across millions of rows.
135```
136 
137## The North Star
138 
139Think Apple. Think Stripe. Think Basecamp.
140 
141Write with the confidence of someone who's built something real, the clarity of someone
142who respects the reader's time, and the authenticity of someone who understands the
143actual problem.
144 
145From a place of universal love: we build tools that amplify human potential. The
146language should honor that mission.
147