How to generate local dev setup with Cursor

The short version: To generate a local dev setup with Cursor, you simply create (or open) a project folder on your machine, then use Cursor’s built‑in AI features to scaffold the files you need. Cursor does not run code for you — it uses your local Node/Python/etc installs — so your “local dev setup” is just your normal environment plus Cursor guiding/creating the initial structure. You use the sidebar “+ New Project” or open an empty folder, describe what you want (for example a Node backend with Express), let Cursor generate a starter layout, then run everything using the integrated terminal exactly like VS Code.

 

What a Local Dev Setup in Cursor Actually Means

 

Cursor is basically VS Code with an AI layer. It does not create any kind of cloud environment or container for you. Everything it generates lives on your machine and runs with your installed tools (Node, Python, Git, Docker, etc). So “setting up local dev” in Cursor is really about:

• Creating/opening a folder that becomes your project workspace.
• Using Cursor AI to scaffold project files (package.json, main.py, React structure, etc).
• Running dependencies through the integrated terminal.
• Letting Cursor refactor, edit, and reason across your project as you build.

 

Step-by-Step: How to Generate a Local Dev Setup With Cursor

 

• Create a folder on your machine. Any empty directory will work. Example: “my-app”.
• Open Cursor → Click “Open Folder” → Select that folder.
• Open the AI chat (Cmd/Ctrl+K) and describe what you want. For example: “Create a Node.js Express API scaffold with routes folder, controllers folder, and a server.js entry file.” Cursor will propose a set of file changes and show a diff preview before applying it.
• Approve the file changes. Cursor writes everything to your local machine — it’s all normal files.
• Install dependencies in the integrated terminal. Example:

npm install

• Start the dev server from the terminal. Example:

node server.js

You now have a real local project running from your machine, with Cursor helping you generate/edit code.

 

Example: Generating a Local Node.js Project

 

Here is a minimal Express setup you can ask Cursor to generate:

// server.js

import express from "express";

const app = express();
app.use(express.json());

app.get("/", (req, res) => {
  res.send("API is running!");
});

app.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log("Server running on http://localhost:3000");
});

After Cursor creates this file and a package.json, you run:

npm install express
node server.js

This is a real local dev environment — Cursor didn’t host anything; it simply wrote the code for you and you ran it using your system’s Node installation.

 

How to Get the Most Out of Cursor While Setting Up a Project

 

• Use AI Commands: Select a folder or set of files → Press Cmd/Ctrl+K → Tell Cursor “Scaffold X”. It will create consistent folder structures.
• Use the Composer: Type in natural language, like “Generate a FastAPI project with users and auth routes”. Cursor will create multi‑file edits.
• Let Cursor fix errors: If your dev server throws a TypeError, copy the stack trace into Cursor and ask it to repair the specific file.
• Let Cursor maintain consistency: If you add a new API route, Cursor can update controllers, services, and types across multiple files in one action.

 

Important Truths About Cursor Local Dev

 

• Cursor does not install Node, Python, or Docker — you must install them yourself.
• Cursor does not create cloud dev environments — everything is local.
• Cursor works best when your project folder is clean and organized.
• Always read the diffs before accepting changes — AI sometimes edits too aggressively.

 

Summary

 

Generating a local dev setup with Cursor is simply: create/open a project folder, describe what you want Cursor to scaffold, let it generate the structure, then install and run everything using your local tools. Cursor is your extremely smart co‑pilot, but the environment is 100% yours, running on your machine.