Multiple times I’ve tried to load two similar projects, directing clause to use a specific project as reference and not edit it, making changes to a different one. Everytime I try, it gets it wrong and we end up debugging down the wrong path. It would be very helpful to be able to include a project for learning, but lock it off to edits!
i think you can mention this in your .cursorrules file and it won’t mess with that file then, while still being able to read it
The .cursorrules file is actually being deprecated - instead you’ll want to use the new Project Rules system which gives you more control. Check out the docs here: Cursor – Rules for AI
For what you’re trying to do though, the best approach is probably to just open the reference project in a separate Cursor window. That way you can keep it completely separate from your active project while still being able to reference it.
You can use the chat to summarise implementations from one project, and paste that into the other if that helps for your workflow!
Make the reference folder and its contents non-writable to the user account which your Cursor is using to access the files.