Overview
This feature request proposes an integration within Cursor (the AI-powered IDE) to automatically trigger Cursor Composer for code review and commit message generation whenever a developer commits or pushes code. While many teams rely on GitHub hooks or similar mechanisms to run linters and other automated quality checks, leveraging AI directly within Cursor can streamline the process further and enhance overall code quality.
Problem Statement
- Manual Overhead: Currently, developers rely on external Git hooks (e.g., GitHub hooks) to trigger linters or automated processes. This workflow requires manual configuration and often switches context between the IDE and external systems.
- Missed Opportunities for AI: Cursor already includes powerful AI features like Cursor Composer that can generate code reviews and automated diffs. However, this capability is not yet directly tied to version control events such as commits or pushes.
- Inconsistent Code Quality: Without automated code review and commit message generation directly in the IDE, there is a risk of inconsistent commit messages and missed quality checks, potentially leading to technical debt.
Proposed Solution
Introduce a configurable, automated trigger within Cursor that invokes Cursor Composer during Git commit or push events. This would allow the AI to analyze the current changes and generate:
- A code review summary (with potential suggestions for improvements or automated refactoring hints).
- An AI-generated commit message that aligns with best practices (e.g., conventional commits).
Key points include:
- Event Detection:
- Detect Git commit/push events within Cursor.
- Support multiple VCS integrations (not limited to GitHub hooks), allowing for flexibility across different development workflows.
- Automated Composer Invocation:
- Automatically open (or run in the background) the Cursor Composer with a diff of the staged changes.
- Present the AI-generated code review or commit message in a dedicated UI panel where the developer can review, edit, and accept the changes.
- Customization and Configuration:
- Provide settings within Cursor to enable/disable this feature.
- Allow developers to customize the trigger conditions (e.g., only trigger on push, on commit, or both).
- Optionally let developers define guidelines or templates (e.g., commit message format) to tailor the AI’s output to the project’s standards.
Implementation Plan
- Event Hook Integration:
- Extend Cursor’s internal Git integration to listen for commit and push events.
- Alternatively, support external hook configurations (beyond GitHub) that can call Cursor’s internal API to trigger Composer.
- AI Composer Trigger:
- When a commit/push event is detected, automatically pass the diff or staged changes to the Cursor Composer.
- The Composer will analyze the changes and generate:
- A suggested commit message.
- A summary of code changes with possible refactoring suggestions.
- User Interface and Workflow:
- Add a dedicated panel (or modal) that displays the AI-generated commit message and/or review summary.
- Allow users to accept, modify, or reject the automated output.
- Provide a “one-click” option to apply the generated commit message and trigger any additional automated refactoring or linting tasks.
- Configuration Options:
- Create a new section in the Cursor settings for “Automated Commit/Push Actions.”
- Options should include:
- Enable/disable automated Composer trigger.
- Select which events should trigger the automation (commit, push, or both).
- Define custom templates or guidelines for commit messages.
- Testing and Validation:
- Conduct usability testing to ensure the feature integrates seamlessly into existing workflows.
- Validate that automated suggestions are accurate and helpful without introducing unwanted changes.
- Ensure that the system performs efficiently without delaying commit/push operations.
Benefits
- Increased Efficiency:
- Reduces the time spent manually crafting commit messages and performing code reviews.
- Integrates code quality checks directly into the developer’s workflow.
- Enhanced Code Quality:
- Promotes consistent commit messages and thorough code reviews.
- Helps catch potential issues earlier by providing automated AI suggestions.
- Seamless Workflow:
- Eliminates the need for external Git hooks or switching contexts between the IDE and other tools.
- Offers flexibility by supporting multiple VCS environments.
Future Enhancements
- Extended Customization:
- Allow for more granular control over the commit message style (e.g., supporting multiple commit conventions).
- Integration with CI/CD:
- Optionally trigger automated tests or linting tasks based on the AI review results.
- Context-Aware Enhancements:
- Expand the AI analysis to include broader project context (e.g., changes across multiple files or branches).