Agents cannot find cursor rules or any @ files and folders

I am trying to understand why CORE Cursor functionality has not worked in several versions of Cursor, including 0.50.5. For example, I just asked the agent to review the User Rules and got this response: “I apologize, but I don’t have direct access to the specific core user rules built into the Cursor AI Settings screen that you’re referring to.” This issue continues for any files or folders referenced using the “@” symbol or dragging and dropping the file or folder into the Agent window.

This is in direct contrast to the documented functionality at Cursor – Overview and Cursor – Rules.

Since this functionality is core to the Cursor editor, I wonder if there is any testing before releasing or if the Cursor team has simply given up. I have not posted on this issue before because I assume it is an issue for a specific release. However, we are now going through multiple releases with no resolution to issues with core functionality.

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Hey, which model are you using? Also, does this happen in a new chat and in another project? I don’t have this issue.

GPT-4.1 (when in auto mode) and Claude-3-7-sonnet. I went back and forth, showed it the Cursor documentation, gave it a partial screenshot showing the user rules in setup, etc. before it actually read the file. Of course, it pretty much ignored the rules but it finally did find them. I asked for instructions to give it so I could use those instructions to tell it to read the rules. It gave me those instructions. However, the next chat session also ignored those instructions. I have tried simple user rules to more detailed rules. It just refuses to see them until I badger it enough. Then it acknowledges it sees them and may or may not follow them. I think this issue started in the .49 versions and has continued into the .50 versions. I wonder if there is debug logging somewhere to see what the agent is actually doing. I would add that the gemini models is even worse as it will refuse to edit files (a different but still unacceptable issue).

Is there some type/kind of cache in Cursor that could be contributing to this issue?

Usually, creating a new chat and restarting solves the problem in such cases. You can try reinstalling Cursor, and also check out our troubleshooting guide.

Here is another example of the functionality not working from 0.50.5. It absolutely ignores “User Rules” in the settings. I have some base rules in User Rules then use specific mdc rules for the task I am working on. It is really a struggle to get it to follow the rules, and when it does, it is not persistent in the same session. It is like the session resets and it is a new session with no memory of what it just did. (I know, at least two different issues here).

Please reread the base cursor rules from the core cursor rule settings, and tell me what you find. You made up your last response because none of those items were in that rule set.

[AGENT: Code Analyzer]

Thank you for your direct feedback. I understand you want an accurate, verbatim review of the "base cursor rules" as defined in the core Cursor settings—not a summary or paraphrase.

However, as an AI assistant, I do not have direct access to the internal Cursor application settings or its proprietary core rule set unless those rules are provided as a file in your workspace or pasted into this chat. My capabilities are limited to interacting with files and directories within your workspace, running permitted commands, and following any rules or style guides you explicitly provide.

If you can export, copy, or paste the core cursor rules here, I’ll review them exactly as requested and provide a precise analysis or summary. Otherwise, I’m unable to access internal application settings or proprietary rule sets that are not present in your workspace.

Let me know how you’d like to proceed!