# How to teach Cursor your knowledge Use Cursor Rules or AGENTS.md for instructions that guide coding work, and connect KnowMan MCP to search [saved articles](https://www.knowman.io/guides/how-to-save-articles), read an item, [ask questions with citations](https://www.knowman.io/guides/knowledge-base-for-ai-agents), or save a URL. [Cursor’s rules guide](https://cursor.com/docs/rules) [KnowMan MCP guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) ## Choose where your instructions belong Cursor supports Project Rules, User Rules, Team Rules, and AGENTS.md. Project Rules are scoped to a codebase, while User Rules set global preferences for Agent (Chat). [Cursor’s rules guide](https://cursor.com/docs/rules) Use project guidance for codebase conventions and reusable workflows. Put personal preferences in User Rules. Cursor documents Team Rules for Team and Enterprise plans. [Cursor’s rules guide](https://cursor.com/docs/rules) ## Add project instructions with Rules Project Rules live as version-controlled `.mdc` files in `.cursor/rules`. Cursor says they can encode codebase knowledge, automate project workflows, and standardize style or architecture decisions. [Cursor’s rules guide](https://cursor.com/docs/rules) Create one by typing `/create-rule` in Agent and describing the rule, or open Customize in the sidebar, select Rules, then Add Rule. [Cursor’s rules guide](https://cursor.com/docs/rules) A plain `.md` file in `.cursor/rules` is ignored. Cursor requires frontmatter fields for `description`, `globs`, and `alwaysApply`. [Cursor’s rules guide](https://cursor.com/docs/rules) ## Control when a rule applies Cursor offers Always Apply, Apply Intelligently, Apply to Specific Files, and Apply Manually modes. A rule with `alwaysApply: true` is always included; a rule with `alwaysApply: false`, a description, and no globs is included when Agent determines it is relevant. [Cursor’s rules guide](https://cursor.com/docs/rules) Keep rules focused, actionable, and scoped. Cursor recommends keeping them under 500 lines and splitting large rules into composable rules. [Cursor’s rules guide](https://cursor.com/docs/rules) ## Use AGENTS.md for straightforward guidance Cursor describes AGENTS.md as a plain Markdown alternative to `.cursor/rules` for [agent instructions](https://www.knowman.io/guides/give-your-ai-context). Place it in the project root. [Cursor’s rules guide](https://cursor.com/docs/rules) An AGENTS.md in a subdirectory applies to files in that directory and its children. More specific nested instructions take precedence over parent instructions. [Cursor’s rules guide](https://cursor.com/docs/rules) ## Connect Cursor to your saved knowledge KnowMan provides a local stdio MCP server in the `@knowman/mcp` package and a hosted server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp. The local launch command is `npx -y @knowman/mcp`; it requires Node 22 or newer. The hosted server uses OAuth sign-in or an API key sent as an `Authorization: Bearer` header. KnowMan’s [MCP tools](https://www.knowman.io/guides/what-is-an-mcp-server) include `kb_search` for [finding saved items](https://www.knowman.io/guides/how-to-save-articles), `kb_get_item` for reading one item, `kb_ask` for answers with citations, and `kb_save` for saving a URL with an optional note. See [the KnowMan MCP guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) and [how to connect an AI to your notes](https://www.knowman.io/guides/connect-any-ai-to-your-notes). ## Where KnowMan fits Cursor Rules and AGENTS.md provide instructions. KnowMan is a [personal library](https://www.knowman.io/guides/second-brain-for-ai) for [saved articles](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-article-saver) and links, with search, readable item content, cited answers, and saving through its MCP tools. The KnowMan MCP server runs locally over stdio or as a hosted server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp, which clients can connect to using OAuth sign-in or an API key. KnowMan is built for one person’s library today; team plans are not available. ## Connect Cursor to KnowMan Cursor can connect to KnowMan’s hosted MCP server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp. Add the server URL in Cursor, then [sign in](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base) on the KnowMan consent page and approve access, or configure an API key as a bearer token. For API key setup, add this to Cursor’s `mcp.json`, replacing `` with a key from KnowMan settings: `{"mcpServers":{"knowman":{"url":"https://api.knowman.io/mcp","headers":{"Authorization":"Bearer "}}}}`. The open-source local client is also available at [GitHub](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp). ## Questions ### Where should I put Cursor project rules? Cursor Project Rules live in `.cursor/rules` as version-controlled `.mdc` files. They can be scoped by path, invoked manually, or included based on relevance. [Cursor’s rules guide](https://cursor.com/docs/rules) ### Does Cursor use plain Markdown instructions? Cursor supports AGENTS.md as a plain Markdown alternative to `.cursor/rules`. A plain `.md` file placed in `.cursor/rules` is ignored because the rules system requires frontmatter. [Cursor’s rules guide](https://cursor.com/docs/rules) ### Can KnowMan give Cursor access to saved articles? KnowMan’s local stdio MCP server and hosted server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp include tools for searching saved items, reading one item, asking questions with citations, and saving a URL. [KnowMan MCP guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) ### Can I use KnowMan MCP with a remote-only client? KnowMan offers a hosted MCP server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp for clients that accept remote MCP servers. Sign in through the KnowMan consent page with OAuth, or connect with an API key. [KnowMan MCP guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) ## Related guides - [Connect your knowledge base through KnowMan's MCP server](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) - [How Do You Connect AI to Your Notes?](https://www.knowman.io/guides/connect-any-ai-to-your-notes) - [How to Give Your AI Context from What You Read](https://www.knowman.io/guides/give-your-ai-context) ## More in this topic - [How to teach Gemini CLI your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-gemini-cli-your-knowledge) - [How to teach Goose your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-goose-your-knowledge) - [How to teach Devin CLI your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-devin-cli-your-knowledge) ## More for Cursor - [Add the KnowMan MCP server to Cursor](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/cursor) - [How to give Cursor better memory](https://www.knowman.io/guides/cursor-memory) ## Keep your knowledge close Try KnowMan Pro for 14 days with no credit card. [Create your account](https://app.knowman.io/signup) [Start free](https://app.knowman.io/signup) Every new account starts with 14 days of Pro. No credit card. Source: https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-cursor-your-knowledge