---
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.
---
# 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