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:::note New here? See the 5-minute quick start before reading this full install guide. :::

What this is

You install the kit by copying files. No npm install needed.

You copy everything from the kit/ folder (or the contents of starter/) into the root of your project—the same folder that has your app or code. For a preview of the folder structure and links to each file’s full text, see Kit file preview.

When to use it​

  • New project: Use the starter zip (see Downloads): unzip it and open that folder as your project root. The unzipped folder is your project; don’t leave the kit nested inside a subfolder like ai-kit-starter.
  • Existing project: Use the kit-only zip or copy the contents of kit/ or starter/ into your repo root (see below).

Add to an existing project​

  1. Get the kit: Download ai-kit-only.zip from Releases, or clone the repo and use the contents of kit/ or starter/ (same files).
  2. Copy into your repo root: Copy .cursor/, .agent/, docs/ (or docs/ai/), .github/, and cursor-ai-kit.config.json into the root of your existing repo. If you already have .cursor/, .agent/, or docs/, merge or replace.
  3. Fill in placeholders: See What to fill in.

Avoid: Don’t put the kit inside a subfolder (e.g. ai-kit-starter). The kit must be at the project root so Cursor loads rules and prompts correctly.

Steps (after copying)​

  1. Check that your repo root now has:
    • .cursor/ (rules and prompts)
    • .agent/ (Antigravity rules)
    • docs/ai/ (config and source of truth)
    • .github/ (PR template and Copilot instructions) If you use Google Antigravity, the .agent/rules/ directory is automatically loaded by the IDE.
  2. Open docs/ai/ai-config.md. Fill in the Design System part:
    • Design system name
    • Design system docs (a link)
    • Design system imports or package name
  3. Open Cursor in the repo. In a new chat, paste:
    • Session Kickoff (see Daily workflow)
    • Context Pack template
    • Router prompt
  4. If something is missing, the AI should ask exactly ONE question and wait. Answer it, then it continues.

Next: fill in the Source of Truth files​

After copying, fill the files in docs/ai/ so the AI stops guessing. See Source-of-truth docs for what they are and why they matter, and What to fill in for a short checklist.

Optional: configure MCP servers for richer context​

To let the AI use live data (filesystem, GitHub, web docs), see MCP setup.

Optional: set Global Rules for a better experience​

If you sometimes work in repos that don’t have this kit, you can set Global Rules in Cursor so the AI still follows the same behavior (one question at a time, switches, no inventing). See Global Rules for what they are and how to paste them into Cursor settings.

Common mistakes​

  • Missing .cursorignore — Cursor will index node_modules and secrets. See the .cursorignore guide.
  • Putting the kit in a subfolder. Keep .cursor/, docs/, etc. at the project root. If you unzipped into ai-kit-starter, move everything out to the root and delete the empty folder.
  • Not filling the Design System placeholders. The kit still works, but the AI may guess UI patterns and look inconsistent.
  • Pasting too much at once. Keep the Context Pack short. Use 3–7 relevant files and bullet points.
  • If the AI feels wrong, say Switch: SPEC or Switch: IMPLEMENT instead of starting over without a plan.