cursor/skills · update-cursor-settings/SKILL.md

---
name: update-cursor-settings
description: >-
  Modify Cursor/VSCode user settings in settings.json. Use when you want to
  change editor settings, preferences, configuration, themes, font size, tab
  size, format on save, auto save, keybindings, or any settings.json values.
metadata:
  surfaces:
    - ide
---
# Updating Cursor Settings

This skill guides you through modifying Cursor/VSCode user settings. Use this when you want to change editor settings, preferences, configuration, themes, keybindings, or any `settings.json` values.

## Settings File Location

| OS | Path |
|----|------|
| macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User/settings.json |
| Linux | ~/.config/Cursor/User/settings.json |
| Windows | %APPDATA%\Cursor\User\settings.json |

## Before Modifying Settings

1. **Read the existing settings file** to understand current configuration
2. **Preserve existing settings** - only add/modify what the user requested
3. **Validate JSON syntax** before writing to avoid breaking the editor

## Modifying Settings

### Step 1: Read Current Settings

```typescript
// Read the settings file first
const settingsPath = "~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User/settings.json";
// Use the Read tool to get current contents
```

### Step 2: Identify the Setting to Change

Common setting categories:
- **Editor**: `editor.fontSize`, `editor.tabSize`, `editor.wordWrap`, `editor.formatOnSave`
- **Workbench**: `workbench.colorTheme`, `workbench.iconTheme`, `workbench.sideBar.location`
- **Files**: `files.autoSave`, `files.exclude`, `files.associations`
- **Terminal**: `terminal.integrated.fontSize`, `terminal.integrated.shell.*`
- **Cursor-specific**: Settings prefixed with `cursor.` or `aipopup.`

### Step 3: Update the Setting

When modifying settings.json:
1. Parse the existing JSON (handle comments - VSCode settings support JSON with comments)
2. Add or update the requested setting
3. Preserve all other existing settings
4. Write back with proper formatting (2-space indentation)

### Example: Changing Font Size

If user says "make the font bigger":

```json
{
  "editor.fontSize": 16
}
```

### Example: Enabling Format on Save

If user says "format my code when I save":

```json
{
  "editor.formatOnSave": true
}
```

### Example: Changing Theme

If user says "use dark theme" or "change my theme":

```json
{
  "workbench.colorTheme": "Default Dark Modern"
}
```

## Important Notes

1. **JSON with Comments**: VSCode/Cursor settings.json supports comments (`//` and `/* */`). When reading, be aware comments may exist. When writing, preserve comments if possible.

2. **Restart May Be Required**: Some settings take effect immediately, others require reloading the window or restarting Cursor. Inform the user if a restart is needed.

3. **Backup**: For significant changes, consider mentioning the user can undo via Ctrl/Cmd+Z in the settings file or by reverting git changes if tracked.

4. **Workspace vs User Settings**:
   - User settings (what this skill covers): Apply globally to all projects
   - Workspace settings (`.vscode/settings.json`): Apply only to the current project

5. **Commit Attribution**: When the user asks about commit attribution, clarify whether they want to edit the **CLI agent** or the **IDE agent**. For the CLI agent, modify `~/.cursor/cli-config.json`. For the IDE agent, it is controlled from the UI at **Cursor Settings > Agent > Attribution** (not settings.json).

## Common User Requests → Settings

| User Request | Setting |
|--------------|---------|
| "bigger/smaller font" | `editor.fontSize` |
| "change tab size" | `editor.tabSize` |
| "format on save" | `editor.formatOnSave` |
| "word wrap" | `editor.wordWrap` |
| "change theme" | `workbench.colorTheme` |
| "hide minimap" | `editor.minimap.enabled` |
| "auto save" | `files.autoSave` |
| "line numbers" | `editor.lineNumbers` |
| "bracket matching" | `editor.bracketPairColorization.enabled` |
| "cursor style" | `editor.cursorStyle` |
| "smooth scrolling" | `editor.smoothScrolling` |

## Workflow

1. Read ~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User/settings.json
2. Parse the JSON content
3. Add/modify the requested setting(s)
4. Write the updated JSON back to the file
5. Inform the user the setting has been changed and whether a reload is needed