Workflow: AI-Assisted Development

Overview

This workflow guides you through the complete AI-assisted development cycle using Cursor's three core features: Tab autocomplete, Inline Edit, and Agent.

When to Use: Building new features, writing code, daily development

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Prerequisites

• Cursor installed and configured
• Project open with codebase indexed
• Familiarity with Tab, Inline Edit, and Agent

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Workflow Diagram

Phase	Action	Tool
1. Plan (Optional)	Understand and design	Ask or Plan mode
2. Write	Write code	Tab + Agent
3. Refine	Targeted changes	Inline Edit (Cmd+K)
4. Test	Generate and run tests	Agent
5. Commit	Generate commit message	AI commit

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Phase 1: Plan (Optional)

For complex features, start with planning.

Using Ask Mode

1. Open chat: Cmd+I / Ctrl+I
2. Switch to Ask mode: Cmd+. → Select "Ask"
3. Describe what you want to build:

I want to add a user authentication system.
What's the best approach given our existing Express setup?
How should I structure the code?

4. Agent explores codebase and provides recommendations
5. No changes made—just information gathering

Using Plan Mode

1. Switch to Plan mode: Shift+Tab from chat input
2. Describe the feature:

Implement user authentication with:
- JWT tokens
- Login/Register endpoints
- Password hashing
- Session management

3. Agent asks clarifying questions
4. Agent generates detailed plan
5. Review and edit plan
6. Click "Build" to execute

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Phase 2: Write Code

For Boilerplate and Patterns: Use Tab

Example: Creating a new Express route

1. Start typing: router.post('/login',
2. Tab suggests the full handler with try/catch
3. Press Tab to accept

router.post('/login', async (req, res) => {
  try {
    const { email, password } = req.body;
    // authentication logic
  } catch (error) {
    res.status(500).json({ error: error.message });
  }
});

For Complex Logic: Use Agent

1. Open Agent: Cmd+I / Ctrl+I
2. Describe what you need:

Create an authentication service in @src/services/ that:
- Hashes passwords with bcrypt
- Generates and validates JWT tokens
- Has methods for login, register, and token refresh
Follow the patterns in @src/services/UserService.ts

3. Review diffs as Agent creates files
4. Accept or modify changes

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Phase 3: Refine Code

Targeted Changes: Inline Edit

1. Select the code to modify
2. Press Cmd+K / Ctrl+K
3. Describe the change:

add rate limiting to prevent brute force attacks

4. Review diff and accept

Quick Questions

1. Select code you're unsure about
2. Press Cmd+K / Ctrl+K
3. Press Alt+Enter for Quick Question:

Is this validation secure against injection attacks?

4. Read explanation
5. Type "do it" if you want suggested improvements applied

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Phase 4: Test

Generate Tests with Agent

Create unit tests for @AuthService.ts covering:
- Successful login with valid credentials
- Failed login with invalid password
- Token generation and validation
- Password hashing verification

Use Jest and follow our testing patterns in @tests/

Run Tests

Run the auth tests and fix any failures

Agent will:

1. Run npm test or equivalent
2. Analyze failures
3. Propose fixes
4. Re-run to verify

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Phase 5: Commit

Generate Commit Message

1. Stage changes: git add .
2. Open Source Control: Cmd+Shift+G
3. Click sparkle icon (✨) in commit message
4. AI generates message based on changes
5. Review, edit if needed, commit

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Best Practices

Choosing the Right Tool

Task	Tool
Single line completion	Tab
Modify selected code	Inline Edit (Cmd+K)
Multi-file changes	Agent (Cmd+I)
Understanding code	Ask mode
Complex features	Plan mode

Providing Context

• Use @mentions for relevant files
• Reference existing patterns to follow
• Include error messages when debugging
• Add @Docs for library documentation

Iterating Effectively

• Start broad, then refine
• Accept partial changes if some are wrong
• Use checkpoints to restore if needed
• Break large tasks into smaller steps

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Example Session

# 1. Start with a plan
> "I need to add user profile endpoints. What files need to change?"
[Agent explains architecture]

# 2. Generate the service
> "Create UserProfileService with get, update, delete methods"
[Agent creates service file]

# 3. Refine with inline edit
[Select the update method, Cmd+K]
> "add validation for email format"

# 4. Generate tests
> "Add tests for UserProfileService"

# 5. Run tests
> "Run profile service tests and fix issues"

# 6. Commit
[AI generates: "Add user profile CRUD operations with validation"]

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Related SOPs

• SOP-004: Tab Autocomplete
• SOP-005: Inline Edit
• SOP-006: Agent Chat
• SOP-007: Agent Modes