# Rules don't apply unless I say " follow @.cursorrules "

**URL:** <https://forum.cursor.com/t/rules-dont-apply-unless-i-say-follow-cursorrules/63516>\
**Category:** Bug Reports\
**Created:** [March 13, 2025, 11:40am UTC](https://forum.cursor.com/t/rules-dont-apply-unless-i-say-follow-cursorrules/63516 "2025-03-13T11:40:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![fev](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@fev](https://forum.cursor.com/u/fev)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 11:40am UTC](https://forum.cursor.com/t/rules-dont-apply-unless-i-say-follow-cursorrules/63516/1 "2025-03-13T11:40:52Z")

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I wan to implement a project level rule that states

```auto
- When the user asks to edit a dependency injection related yaml file, use the instructions found in @prompts/dic.yaml to make sure the file includes a tag

```

When I add this rules directly to settings is ignored, if I add it to project root folder `.cursorrules` it’s also ignored.  
The only way it follows the rule is saying ending my chat request with " following @.cursorrules"

This proves, it actually understand the rule very well, but somehow it is not included if not mentioned explicitly

I have my doubts where this is only failing due to the fact that the rule includes a file with instructions.

I’m adding the .cursorrules file at the project’s root, I understand that’s the right location.

## cursor version

Version: 0.46.11 (Universal)  
VSCode Version: 1.96.2

## how to reproduce

create some instructions in a markdown file.  
create a rule that asks to follow those instructions when editing certain type of file.  
Add the rule to project settings and try if it will follow it  
Add the rule to .cursorrules and try it again.

It should fail to follow

Then from the chat update your request adding at the end " following @.cursorrules"

now it does follow according to the rule

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![fev](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@fev](https://forum.cursor.com/u/fev)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 11:55am UTC](https://forum.cursor.com/t/rules-dont-apply-unless-i-say-follow-cursorrules/63516/2 "2025-03-13T11:55:16Z")

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Sorry it seems the cursorrules location is updated, now the documentation states

Project rules offer a powerful and flexible system with path specific configurations. Project rules are stored in the `.cursor/rules`

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**Author:** ![system](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/cursor1/user_avatar/forum.cursor.com/system/32/99069_2.png) [@system](https://forum.cursor.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [April 12, 2025, 11:55am UTC](https://forum.cursor.com/t/rules-dont-apply-unless-i-say-follow-cursorrules/63516/3 "2025-04-12T11:55:58Z")

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