Customize → Rules empty in 3.9.16; project .mdc rules visible only in Settings (Ctrl+Shift+J)

[Simon_McConnell]

Where does the bug appear (feature/product)?

Cursor IDE

Describe the Bug

After upgrading to Cursor 3.9.16, Customize → Rules shows no rules on any filter (All, User, Plugin). Project rules in .cursor/rules/*.mdc do appear under Cursor Settings → Rules (Ctrl+Shift+J) and are applied by Agent. Customize appears disconnected from repo project rules.

Environment
Cursor: 3.9.16 (user setup), commit 042b3c1a4c53f2c3808067f519fbfc67b72cad80, 2026-06-27
OS: Windows_NT x64 10.0.26200
Layout: editor, Stable

Steps to Reproduce

1. File → Open Folder → repo root with .cursor/rules/ (e.g. c:\src\WitherbyConnect).
2. Confirm ~29 .mdc files in .cursor/rules/ (core.mdc, work-tracking.mdc, etc.).
3. Customize → Rules → try All / User / Plugin → list empty.
4. Ctrl+Shift+J → Rules → Project Rules lists all .mdc files.
5. Agent chat loads and follows rules (e.g. won’t run dotnet build per project rule).
6. Create new rule → .cursor/rules/ui-test.mdc on disk → still not in Customize after reload.

Expected Behavior

Customize → Rules should list project/workspace rules from .cursor/rules/*.mdc per Customize / Rules docs.

Actual
Customize → Rules: empty on all filters.
Settings → Rules: project rules visible.
Agent: rules applied from disk.
Customize → Skills shows plugin skills; only Rules inventory is wrong.

Operating System

Windows 10/11

Version Information

Version: 3.9.16 (user setup)
VS Code Extension API: 1.105.1
Commit: 042b3c1a4c53f2c3808067f519fbfc67b72cad80
Date: 2026-06-27T06:41:01.941Z
Layout: editor
Build Type: Stable
Release Track: Default
Electron: 40.10.3
Chromium: 144.0.7559.236
Node.js: 24.15.0
V8: 14.4.258.32-electron.0
xterm.js: 6.1.0-beta.256
OS: Windows_NT x64 10.0.26200

Additional Information

Workaround
Use Ctrl+Shift+J → Rules or edit .cursor/rules/ in the repo.

Related

Cursor settings don’t list or reflect active user rules and plugins

Where does the bug appear (feature/product)? Cursor IDE Describe the Bug Configured rules under ~/.cursor/rules and installed Cursor plugins are not visible or verifiable in Cursor Settings, while the agent only receives a subset of rules, so it’s unclear what is actually enforced. Steps to Reproduce Setup rules under your /Users/{USER}/.cursor/rules and look into Agent-Window Settings under “Rules, Skills, Subagents” Expected Behavior Same behavior like within Editor-Window where rules, plug…

Request
Show repo .mdc rules in Customize (with Project/Workspace filter), or document that Customize Rules = User+Plugin only and Settings = project rules.

Does this stop you from using Cursor

No - Cursor works, but with this issue

[Colin]

Hi @Simon_McConnell!

@Simon_McConnell

3. Customize → Rules → try All / User / Plugin → list empty.

Have you tried filtering to the specific workspace? That’s where project rules should live.

[Juan_COLMENARES1 (Juan COLMENARES)]

Hello. I have the same issue as mentioned above.

I tried to do what you suggested, but I don’t see the workspaces. I only see User and Team. Also, I have pretty much the same setup as above → Cursor 3.9.16, same commit.

One thing to mention is that I am doing remote development, so I have Cursor on Windows but my workspaces are on a Linux machine.

[Colin]

Thanks @Juan_COLMENARES1!

It occurs to me that @Simon_McConnell might be using the Editor Window:

@Simon_McConnell

Layout: editor

Are you as well? (As opposed to the Agents Window).

I’m not sure if we’re meant to show Workspaces on the Customize page in the Editor Window (it would make sense that we show it for the one that’s open). I’ll check on that with the team.

[Juan_COLMENARES1 (Juan COLMENARES)]

To answer your question: it was happening both in editor and Agent windows.

However, Now I am seeing the workspaces. I think it happened after I reloaded the window (?). Not sure what happened but it got fixed.