The Cursor Agent always generates a planning/explanation file (e.g., PLAN/DOCS/REVIEW.md) when asked to review/implement changes, even with explicit instructions to apply the code directly. This feels like a multi-step chat interaction instead of an autonomous code agent. I don’t have any rules to tell them do that.
Steps to Reproduce
Open a project with code. 2. Start an Agent chat (e.g., in Auto mode). 3. Prompt: “Review the code in [file name] and implement the fix for [your issue]. Apply the changes directly.” 4. Actual Result: Agent creates a new markdown file with a plan/explanation first. 5. Expected Result: Agent should show a diff or apply the changes immediately.
Operating System
Windows 10/11
Current Cursor Version (Menu → About Cursor → Copy)
Hey, thanks for the report. It looks like Plan Mode might be turning on by accident, and it creates those planning files before making any changes.
The issue is that your request includes words like “review” and “implement”. Because of that, the Agent automatically switches into Plan Mode, so it creates PLAN.md/REVIEW.md first.
Quick fixes:
Check your mode: look at the mode selector in chat and make sure you’re in “Agent” mode, not “Plan” mode.
Change your prompts: instead of “Review the code and implement the fix”, try “Fix [the issue] in [filename]”.
Switch modes manually: press Cmd+. or use the dropdown to force Agent mode.
Plan Mode is actually meant to create these planning documents. It asks questions, does some research, then builds a plan you can review. But for direct edits you want Agent mode.
Let me know if it still keeps creating those files.