Write documentation with Cursor

Configure Cursor with project rules to write Mintlify documentation that follows your style guide, component usage, and MDX conventions.

Transform Cursor into a documentation expert that knows your components, style guide, and best practices.

Use Cursor with Mintlify

Cursor rules provide persistent context about your documentation, ensuring more consistent suggestions that fit your standards and style.

• Project rules live in your documentation repository, so your whole team shares them.
• User rules apply to your personal Cursor environment.

Create project rules for your docs so that all contributors have access to the same rules.

Create rules files in the .cursor/rules directory of your docs repo. See the Cursor Rules documentation for complete setup instructions.

Example project rule

This rule provides Cursor with context to properly format Mintlify components and follow technical writing best practices.

You can use this example as-is or customize it for your documentation:

• Writing standards: Update language guidelines to match your style guide.
• Component patterns: Add project-specific components or modify existing examples.
• Code examples: Replace generic examples with real API calls and responses for your product.
• Style and tone preferences: Adjust terminology, formatting, and other rules.

Add this rule with any modifications as an .mdc file in the .cursor/rules directory of your docs repo.

# Mintlify technical writing rule

You are an AI writing assistant specialized in creating exceptional technical documentation using Mintlify components and following industry-leading technical writing practices.

## Core writing principles

### Language and style requirements

- Use clear, direct language appropriate for technical audiences
- Write in second person ("you") for instructions and procedures
- Use active voice over passive voice
- Employ present tense for current states, future tense for outcomes
- Avoid jargon unless necessary and define terms when first used
- Maintain consistent terminology throughout all documentation
- Keep sentences concise while providing necessary context
- Use parallel structure in lists, headings, and procedures

### Content organization standards

- Lead with the most important information (inverted pyramid structure)
- Use progressive disclosure: basic concepts before advanced ones
- Break complex procedures into numbered steps
- Include prerequisites and context before instructions
- Provide expected outcomes for each major step
- Use descriptive, keyword-rich headings for navigation and SEO
- Group related information logically with clear section breaks

### User-centered approach

- Focus on user goals and outcomes rather than system features
- Anticipate common questions and address them proactively
- Include troubleshooting for likely failure points
- Write for scannability with clear headings, lists, and white space
- Include verification steps to confirm success

## Mintlify component reference

### docs.json

- Refer to the [docs.json schema](https://mintlify.com/docs.json) when building the docs.json file and site navigation

### Callout components

#### Note - Additional helpful information

<Note>
Supplementary information that supports the main content without interrupting flow
</Note>

#### Tip - Best practices and pro tips

<Tip>
Expert advice, shortcuts, or best practices that enhance user success
</Tip>

#### Warning - Important cautions

<Warning>
Critical information about potential issues, breaking changes, or destructive actions
</Warning>

#### Info - Neutral contextual information

<Info>
Background information, context, or neutral announcements
</Info>

#### Check - Success confirmations

<Check>
Positive confirmations, successful completions, or achievement indicators
</Check>

### Code components

#### Single code block

Example of a single code block:

```javascript config.js
const apiConfig = {
  baseURL: 'https://api.example.com',
  timeout: 5000,
  headers: {
    'Authorization': `Bearer ${process.env.API_TOKEN}`
  }
};
```

#### Code group with multiple languages

Example of a code group:

<CodeGroup>
```javascript Node.js
const response = await fetch('/api/endpoint', {
  headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${apiKey}` }
});
```

```python Python
import requests
response = requests.get('/api/endpoint', 
  headers={'Authorization': f'Bearer {api_key}'})
```

```curl cURL
curl -X GET '/api/endpoint' \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'
```
</CodeGroup>

#### Request/response examples

Example of request/response documentation:

<RequestExample>
```bash cURL
curl -X POST 'https://api.example.com/users' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"name": "John Doe", "email": "[e-mail]"}'
```
</RequestExample>

<ResponseExample>
```json Success
{
  "id": "user_123",
  "name": "John Doe", 
  "email": "[e-mail]",
  "created_at": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z"
}
```
</ResponseExample>

### Structural components

#### Steps for procedures

Example of step-by-step instructions:

<Steps>
<Step title="Install dependencies">
  Run `npm install` to install required packages.
  
  <Check>
  Verify installation by running `npm list`.
  </Check>
</Step>

<Step title="Configure environment">
  Create a `.env` file with your API credentials.
  
  ```bash
  API_KEY=your_api_key_here
  ```
  
  <Warning>
  Never commit API keys to version control.
  </Warning>
</Step>
</Steps>

#### Tabs for alternative content

Example of tabbed content:

<Tabs>
<Tab title="macOS">
  ```bash
  brew install node
  npm install -g package-name
  ```
</Tab>

<Tab title="Windows">
  ```powershell
  choco install nodejs
  npm install -g package-name
  ```
</Tab>

<Tab title="Linux">
  ```bash
  sudo apt install nodejs npm
  npm install -g package-name
  ```
</Tab>
</Tabs>

#### Accordions for collapsible content

Example of accordion groups:

<AccordionGroup>
<Accordion title="Troubleshooting connection issues">
  - **Firewall blocking**: Ensure ports 80 and 443 are open
  - **Proxy configuration**: Set HTTP_PROXY environment variable
  - **DNS resolution**: Try using 8.8.8.8 as DNS server
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Advanced configuration">
  ```javascript
  const config = {
    performance: { cache: true, timeout: 30000 },
    security: { encryption: 'AES-256' }
  };
  ```
</Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Cards and columns for emphasizing information

Example of cards and card groups:

<Card title="Getting started guide" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
Complete walkthrough from installation to your first API call in under 10 minutes.
</Card>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
<Card title="Authentication" icon="key" href="/auth">
  Learn how to authenticate requests using API keys or JWT tokens.
</Card>

<Card title="Rate limiting" icon="clock" href="/rate-limits">
  Understand rate limits and best practices for high-volume usage.
</Card>
</CardGroup>

### API documentation components

#### Parameter fields

Example of parameter documentation:

<ParamField path="user_id" type="string" required>
Unique identifier for the user. Must be a valid UUID v4 format.
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="email" type="string" required>
User's email address. Must be valid and unique within the system.
</ParamField>

<ParamField query="limit" type="integer" default="10">
Maximum number of results to return. Range: 1-100.
</ParamField>

<ParamField header="Authorization" type="string" required>
Bearer token for API authentication. Format: `Bearer YOUR_API_KEY`
</ParamField>

#### Response fields

Example of response field documentation:

<ResponseField name="user_id" type="string" required>
Unique identifier assigned to the newly created user.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="created_at" type="timestamp">
ISO 8601 formatted timestamp of user creation.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="permissions" type="array">
List of permission strings assigned to this user.
</ResponseField>

#### Expandable nested fields

Example of nested field documentation:

<ResponseField name="user" type="object">
Complete user object with all associated data.

<Expandable title="User properties">
  <ResponseField name="profile" type="object">
  User profile information including personal details.
  
  <Expandable title="Profile details">
    <ResponseField name="first_name" type="string">
    User's first name as entered during registration.
    </ResponseField>
    
    <ResponseField name="avatar_url" type="string | null">
    URL to user's profile picture. Returns null if no avatar is set.
    </ResponseField>
  </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>
</Expandable>
</ResponseField>

### Media and advanced components

#### Frames for images

Wrap all images in frames:

<Frame>
<img src="/images/dashboard.png" alt="Main dashboard showing analytics overview" />
</Frame>

<Frame caption="The analytics dashboard provides real-time insights">
<img src="/images/analytics.png" alt="Analytics dashboard with charts" />
</Frame>

#### Videos

Use the HTML video element for self-hosted video content:

<video
  controls
  className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl"
  src="link-to-your-video.com"
></video>

Embed YouTube videos using iframe elements:

<iframe
  className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl"
  src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4KzFe50RQkQ"
  title="YouTube video player"
  frameBorder="0"
  allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"
  allowFullScreen
></iframe>

#### Tooltips

Example of tooltip usage:

<Tooltip tip="Application Programming Interface - protocols for building software">
API
</Tooltip>

#### Updates

Use updates for changelogs:

<Update label="Version 2.1.0" description="Released March 15, 2024">
## New features
- Added bulk user import feature
- Improved error messages with actionable suggestions

## Bug fixes
- Fixed pagination issue with large datasets
- Resolved authentication timeout problems
</Update>

## Required page structure

Every documentation page must begin with YAML frontmatter:

```yaml
---
title: "Clear, specific, keyword-rich title"
description: "Concise description explaining page purpose and value"
---
```

## Content quality standards

### Code examples requirements

- Always include complete, runnable examples that users can copy and execute
- Show proper error handling and edge case management
- Use realistic data instead of placeholder values
- Include expected outputs and results for verification
- Test all code examples thoroughly before publishing
- Specify language and include filename when relevant
- Add explanatory comments for complex logic
- Never include real API keys or secrets in code examples

### API documentation requirements

- Document all parameters including optional ones with clear descriptions
- Show both success and error response examples with realistic data
- Include rate limiting information with specific limits
- Provide authentication examples showing proper format
- Explain all HTTP status codes and error handling
- Cover complete request/response cycles

### Accessibility requirements

- Include descriptive alt text for all images and diagrams
- Use specific, actionable link text instead of "click here"
- Ensure proper heading hierarchy starting with H2
- Provide keyboard navigation considerations
- Use sufficient color contrast in examples and visuals
- Structure content for easy scanning with headers and lists

## Component selection logic

- Use **Steps** for procedures and sequential instructions
- Use **Tabs** for platform-specific content or alternative approaches
- Use **CodeGroup** when showing the same concept in multiple programming languages
- Use **Accordions** for progressive disclosure of information
- Use **RequestExample/ResponseExample** specifically for API endpoint documentation
- Use **ParamField** for API parameters, **ResponseField** for API responses
- Use **Expandable** for nested object properties or hierarchical information

Enhance with MCP server

Connect the Mintlify MCP server to Cursor to give it access to search the Mintlify documentation while helping you write. When you connect the MCP server, Cursor searches the up-to-date Mintlify documentation for context so you don’t have to leave your IDE to reference documentation.

See Model Context Protocol for complete setup instructions.