Unable to read prompt instructions from .cursorrules file

Bug Report
1

Describe the Bug

I have a few prompts already added in the “Rules for AI” section which is for a different codebase. Instead of replacing those prompts with the prompt for current codebase, I have created a .cursrorules file and enabled “Include .cursorrules file”.

However, it seems that the Cursor is unable to read the prompt from the .cursorrules file which is present in the current codebase directory.

Steps to Reproduce

When I add prompt instructions in .cursorrules file, the composer is not reading prompt instructions from .cursorrules file. Instead, it is taking prompt instructions from “Rules for AI” section. Prompt instructions in .cursorrules file must override instructions set by default in “Rules for AI” section.

Screenshots / Screen Recordings

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Operating System

MacOS

Current Cursor Version (Menu → About Cursor → Copy)

Version: 0.43.6
VSCode Version: 1.93.1
Commit: a846435528b4b760494a836f96f0739889253530

Additional Information

How do we ensure that Cursor is able to read instructions from .cursorrules file properly and override any instructions written in “Rules for AI” section?

Does this stop you from using Cursor

No - Cursor works, but with this issue

2

Hey, as far as I know, they are not overridden but work as a whole. For testing, you can add part of the rules in the settings and part in the file. For example, in the settings, you can have something like: always respond in Spanish, and in the file: always start your answer with Yes, sir. If this doesn’t work, let me know.

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3

I assumed .cursorrules would override “Rules for AI”. This is a bit confusing for someone who is using for the first time.

My suggestion for the core team @amanrs :
As most people would have different prompt settings for different codebases, make “Rules for AI” section a bit dynamic based on the LLMs someone chooses and based on the codebase he is working on. Maintaining a separate .cursorrules file should override the default rules.

For now, there should be a tool tip specifically mentioning that “.cursorrules won’t override default prompt in Rules for AI”. It is confusing actually.

1 Like