Cursor Codebase Context System

A structured workflow system for maintaining AI-optimized codebase documentation and ensuring consistent, context-aware code generation in Cursor IDE.

What This Skill Does

This skill establishes a comprehensive documentation framework that helps AI assistants understand your codebase through System Reference Files (SRF). It implements a phased development workflow with the "Rule of Seven" methodology to ensure all code changes align with existing architecture and are properly documented.

Instructions

Initial Setup

1. **Create System Reference Files (SRF)** in your `CodeBase_Docs/` directory:

- `Cursor_System_Architecture.md` - Phased restructuring plan with implementation priorities

- `Cursor_System_Integration.md` - Current state architecture reference

- `System_Directory_Tree.md` - Complete outline of your codebase structure

- `System_Development_History.md` - Comprehensive history of development decisions

- `Scratchpad.md` - Task tracking and implementation context

Core Workflow: The Rule of Seven (RO7)

Follow these seven steps for every code implementation task:

1. **Review Scratchpad**: Check current task and plan implementation steps

2. **Search SRF**: Look for existing implementations in System Reference Files; adjust plan accordingly

3. **Take Action**: Execute the task implementation

4. **Review Dependencies**: Check for missing implementations required by recent changes

5. **Identify Gaps**: Document any implementation gaps and plan necessary steps

6. **Update System Docs**: Maintain consistency in `Cursor_System_Architecture.md` and `Cursor_System_Integration.md`

7. **Update Scratchpad**: Record progress and next steps

Context-First Implementation

Before generating any code:

1. Always check `System_Directory_Tree.md` for codebase structure

2. Review relevant System Reference Files for existing patterns

3. If context is unclear, search `CodeBase_Context.md` using grep or file search

4. **Ask the user** before creating new implementations if existing patterns aren't found

Scratchpad Format

Maintain task progress in `Scratchpad.md` using this format:

```markdown

Scratchpad

[X] Task 1 - Description of completed task

[X] Subtask 1.1 - Completed subtask

[ ] Task 2 - Next task to work on

[ ] Subtask 2.1 - Pending subtask

```

Update markers as work progresses to maintain clear context across sessions.

Architecture Alignment

Example Usage

**User Request**: "Add user authentication to the API"

**AI Response**:

1. ✓ Review Scratchpad - Current focus: API development phase

2. ✓ Search SRF - Found existing auth patterns in `Cursor_System_Integration.md`

3. → Implementing JWT-based auth following existing pattern...

4. ✓ Review - Auth requires middleware integration in routes

5. → Planning middleware implementation steps...

6. ✓ Update System Docs - Added auth implementation to architecture doc

7. ✓ Update Scratchpad:

```

[X] Add user authentication to API

[X] JWT token generation

[X] Auth middleware

[ ] Route protection implementation

```

Constraints

Benefits