How to Generate AI Coding Rules Files for Cursor and More

AI coding rules files tell your assistant how your project actually works, so it stops guessing your stack and conventions. Instead of repeating “use TypeScript, no semicolons, prefer named exports” in every chat, you write it once and the assistant reads it automatically. Here is what these files do and how to generate one in seconds.

What an AI rules file does

An AI rules file is a plain text or Markdown file in your repo that an AI coding assistant reads before it writes code. Different tools look for different names, but the idea is the same: give the assistant persistent context.

• .cursorrules is read by Cursor for project-specific instructions.
• AGENTS.md is a tool-agnostic file that many agents and assistants now check.
• Similar instruction files exist for other editors and CLI agents.

Without one, every session starts cold. The assistant invents conventions, picks the wrong library, or ignores your folder structure. With one, it stays on rails.

What to put in your rules

Good rules are specific and short. Vague instructions get ignored, so spell things out. A solid file usually covers:

• Stack and versions: the framework, language, package manager, and major libraries.
• Conventions: naming, file structure, formatting, import style, and testing approach.
• Do and don’t: what to always use and what to never touch, like “never edit generated files” or “always add a test.”
• Context: a one-line description of what the project is, so suggestions fit the domain.

Keep it tool-agnostic where you can. Conventions and constraints apply no matter which assistant reads them.

Generate a rules file in three steps

The AI Coding Rules Generator builds the file for you from a short form, so you do not start from a blank page.

1. Open the AI Coding Rules Generator and pick your stack and target format, such as .cursorrules or AGENTS.md.
2. Fill in your conventions and your do/don’t list.
3. Copy the output into a file at the root of your repo and commit it.

Everything runs 100% client-side in your browser. Nothing about your project is uploaded or stored on a server.

Related tools

• .editorconfig Generator: lock in indentation and formatting so humans and AI agree on style.
• .gitignore Generator: keep generated and secret files out of your repo before the assistant sees them.
• Block AI Crawlers (robots.txt): control which AI bots are allowed to read your site.

Write your rules once, commit the file, and let every assistant code the way your project expects.