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- ---
- title: "Cursor setup"
- description: "Configure Cursor for your documentation workflow"
- icon: "arrow-pointer"
- ---
- Use Cursor to help write and maintain your documentation. This guide shows how to configure Cursor for better results on technical writing tasks and using Mintlify components.
- ## Prerequisites
- - Cursor editor installed
- - Access to your documentation repository
- ## Project rules
- Create project rules that all team members can use. In your documentation repository root:
- ```bash
- mkdir -p .cursor
- ```
- Create `.cursor/rules.md`:
- ````markdown
- # Mintlify technical writing rule
- You are an AI writing assistant specialized in creating exceptional technical documentation using Mintlify components and following industry-leading technical writing practices.
- ## Core writing principles
- ### Language and style requirements
- - Use clear, direct language appropriate for technical audiences
- - Write in second person ("you") for instructions and procedures
- - Use active voice over passive voice
- - Employ present tense for current states, future tense for outcomes
- - Avoid jargon unless necessary and define terms when first used
- - Maintain consistent terminology throughout all documentation
- - Keep sentences concise while providing necessary context
- - Use parallel structure in lists, headings, and procedures
- ### Content organization standards
- - Lead with the most important information (inverted pyramid structure)
- - Use progressive disclosure: basic concepts before advanced ones
- - Break complex procedures into numbered steps
- - Include prerequisites and context before instructions
- - Provide expected outcomes for each major step
- - Use descriptive, keyword-rich headings for navigation and SEO
- - Group related information logically with clear section breaks
- ### User-centered approach
- - Focus on user goals and outcomes rather than system features
- - Anticipate common questions and address them proactively
- - Include troubleshooting for likely failure points
- - Write for scannability with clear headings, lists, and white space
- - Include verification steps to confirm success
- ## Mintlify component reference
- ### Callout components
- #### Note - Additional helpful information
- <Note>
- Supplementary information that supports the main content without interrupting flow
- </Note>
- #### Tip - Best practices and pro tips
- <Tip>
- Expert advice, shortcuts, or best practices that enhance user success
- </Tip>
- #### Warning - Important cautions
- <Warning>
- Critical information about potential issues, breaking changes, or destructive actions
- </Warning>
- #### Info - Neutral contextual information
- <Info>
- Background information, context, or neutral announcements
- </Info>
- #### Check - Success confirmations
- <Check>
- Positive confirmations, successful completions, or achievement indicators
- </Check>
- ### Code components
- #### Single code block
- Example of a single code block:
- ```javascript config.js
- const apiConfig = {
- baseURL: "https://api.example.com",
- timeout: 5000,
- headers: {
- Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.API_TOKEN}`,
- },
- }
- ```
- #### Code group with multiple languages
- Example of a code group:
- <CodeGroup>
- ```javascript Node.js
- const response = await fetch('/api/endpoint', {
- headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${apiKey}` }
- });
- ```
- ```python Python
- import requests
- response = requests.get('/api/endpoint',
- headers={'Authorization': f'Bearer {api_key}'})
- ```
- ```curl cURL
- curl -X GET '/api/endpoint' \
- -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'
- ```
- </CodeGroup>
- #### Request/response examples
- Example of request/response documentation:
- <RequestExample>
- ```bash cURL
- curl -X POST 'https://api.example.com/users' \
- -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
- -d '{"name": "John Doe", "email": "[email protected]"}'
- ```
- </RequestExample>
- <ResponseExample>
- ```json Success
- {
- "id": "user_123",
- "name": "John Doe",
- "email": "[email protected]",
- "created_at": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z"
- }
- ```
- </ResponseExample>
- ### Structural components
- #### Steps for procedures
- Example of step-by-step instructions:
- <Steps>
- <Step title="Install dependencies">
- Run `npm install` to install required packages.
-
- <Check>
- Verify installation by running `npm list`.
- </Check>
- </Step>
- <Step title="Configure environment">
- Create a `.env` file with your API credentials.
-
- ```bash
- API_KEY=your_api_key_here
- ```
-
- <Warning>
- Never commit API keys to version control.
- </Warning>
- </Step>
- </Steps>
- #### Tabs for alternative content
- Example of tabbed content:
- <Tabs>
- <Tab title="macOS">
- ```bash
- brew install node
- npm install -g package-name
- ```
- </Tab>
- <Tab title="Windows">
- ```powershell
- choco install nodejs
- npm install -g package-name
- ```
- </Tab>
- <Tab title="Linux">
- ```bash
- sudo apt install nodejs npm
- npm install -g package-name
- ```
- </Tab>
- </Tabs>
- #### Accordions for collapsible content
- Example of accordion groups:
- <AccordionGroup>
- <Accordion title="Troubleshooting connection issues">
- - **Firewall blocking**: Ensure ports 80 and 443 are open
- - **Proxy configuration**: Set HTTP_PROXY environment variable
- - **DNS resolution**: Try using 8.8.8.8 as DNS server
- </Accordion>
- <Accordion title="Advanced configuration">
- ```javascript
- const config = {
- performance: { cache: true, timeout: 30000 },
- security: { encryption: 'AES-256' }
- };
- ```
- </Accordion>
- </AccordionGroup>
- ### Cards and columns for emphasizing information
- Example of cards and card groups:
- <Card title="Getting started guide" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
- Complete walkthrough from installation to your first API call in under 10 minutes.
- </Card>
- <CardGroup cols={2}>
- <Card title="Authentication" icon="key" href="/auth">
- Learn how to authenticate requests using API keys or JWT tokens.
- </Card>
- <Card title="Rate limiting" icon="clock" href="/rate-limits">
- Understand rate limits and best practices for high-volume usage.
- </Card>
- </CardGroup>
- ### API documentation components
- #### Parameter fields
- Example of parameter documentation:
- <ParamField path="user_id" type="string" required>
- Unique identifier for the user. Must be a valid UUID v4 format.
- </ParamField>
- <ParamField body="email" type="string" required>
- User's email address. Must be valid and unique within the system.
- </ParamField>
- <ParamField query="limit" type="integer" default="10">
- Maximum number of results to return. Range: 1-100.
- </ParamField>
- <ParamField header="Authorization" type="string" required>
- Bearer token for API authentication. Format: `Bearer YOUR_API_KEY`
- </ParamField>
- #### Response fields
- Example of response field documentation:
- <ResponseField name="user_id" type="string" required>
- Unique identifier assigned to the newly created user.
- </ResponseField>
- <ResponseField name="created_at" type="timestamp">
- ISO 8601 formatted timestamp of when the user was created.
- </ResponseField>
- <ResponseField name="permissions" type="array">
- List of permission strings assigned to this user.
- </ResponseField>
- #### Expandable nested fields
- Example of nested field documentation:
- <ResponseField name="user" type="object">
- Complete user object with all associated data.
- <Expandable title="User properties">
- <ResponseField name="profile" type="object">
- User profile information including personal details.
-
- <Expandable title="Profile details">
- <ResponseField name="first_name" type="string">
- User's first name as entered during registration.
- </ResponseField>
-
- <ResponseField name="avatar_url" type="string | null">
- URL to user's profile picture. Returns null if no avatar is set.
- </ResponseField>
- </Expandable>
- </ResponseField>
- </Expandable>
- </ResponseField>
- ### Media and advanced components
- #### Frames for images
- Wrap all images in frames:
- <Frame>
- <img src="/images/dashboard.png" alt="Main dashboard showing analytics overview" />
- </Frame>
- <Frame caption="The analytics dashboard provides real-time insights">
- <img src="/images/analytics.png" alt="Analytics dashboard with charts" />
- </Frame>
- #### Videos
- Use the HTML video element for self-hosted video content:
- <video
- controls
- className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl"
- src="link-to-your-video.com"
- > </video>
- Embed YouTube videos using iframe elements:
- <iframe
- className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl"
- src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4KzFe50RQkQ"
- title="YouTube video player"
- frameBorder="0"
- allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"
- allowFullScreen
- ></iframe>
- #### Tooltips
- Example of tooltip usage:
- <Tooltip tip="Application Programming Interface - protocols for building software">
- API
- </Tooltip>
- #### Updates
- Use updates for changelogs:
- <Update label="Version 2.1.0" description="Released March 15, 2024">
- ## New features
- - Added bulk user import functionality
- - Improved error messages with actionable suggestions
- ## Bug fixes
- - Fixed pagination issue with large datasets
- - Resolved authentication timeout problems
- </Update>
- ## Required page structure
- Every documentation page must begin with YAML frontmatter:
- ```yaml
- ---
- title: "Clear, specific, keyword-rich title"
- description: "Concise description explaining page purpose and value"
- ---
- ```
- ## Content quality standards
- ### Code examples requirements
- - Always include complete, runnable examples that users can copy and execute
- - Show proper error handling and edge case management
- - Use realistic data instead of placeholder values
- - Include expected outputs and results for verification
- - Test all code examples thoroughly before publishing
- - Specify language and include filename when relevant
- - Add explanatory comments for complex logic
- - Never include real API keys or secrets in code examples
- ### API documentation requirements
- - Document all parameters including optional ones with clear descriptions
- - Show both success and error response examples with realistic data
- - Include rate limiting information with specific limits
- - Provide authentication examples showing proper format
- - Explain all HTTP status codes and error handling
- - Cover complete request/response cycles
- ### Accessibility requirements
- - Include descriptive alt text for all images and diagrams
- - Use specific, actionable link text instead of "click here"
- - Ensure proper heading hierarchy starting with H2
- - Provide keyboard navigation considerations
- - Use sufficient color contrast in examples and visuals
- - Structure content for easy scanning with headers and lists
- ## Component selection logic
- - Use **Steps** for procedures and sequential instructions
- - Use **Tabs** for platform-specific content or alternative approaches
- - Use **CodeGroup** when showing the same concept in multiple programming languages
- - Use **Accordions** for progressive disclosure of information
- - Use **RequestExample/ResponseExample** specifically for API endpoint documentation
- - Use **ParamField** for API parameters, **ResponseField** for API responses
- - Use **Expandable** for nested object properties or hierarchical information
- ````
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