Hypermedia .cursorrules

A minimal .cursorrules template for hypermedia-driven projects in Cursor IDE.

Template (30 lines)

# Hypermedia Project Rules

## Tech Stack
- [Backend: Go/Python/Elixir/etc.]
- HTMX or Datastar for interactivity
- Server-rendered HTML templates
- No SPA framework

## Principles
- Return HTML fragments, not JSON
- Server handles all routing
- Progressive enhancement
- Minimal JavaScript

## Code Style
- HATEOAS: Hypermedia as the engine of application state
- Every action returns HTML
- No client-side state management
- No React/Vue/Svelte/Angular

## HTMX Patterns
- `hx-get/post` for requests
- `hx-target` for response destination
- `hx-swap` for insertion method
- `hx-trigger` for event binding

## Gotchas
- [Add your project-specific gotchas]

## File Patterns
- Templates: `templates/[name].html` or `*.templ`
- Handlers: return `HTMLResponse`, not `JSONResponse`
- Partials: `templates/partials/[name].html`

Usage

1. Copy the template above
2. Save as .cursorrules in your project root
3. Review and update the Tech Stack to match your backend
4. Choose HTMX or Datastar and remove the other
5. Add your project-specific gotchas

Why This Matters

AI tools default to SPA patterns. This template explicitly tells the AI:

1. No JSON APIs - Return HTML, not JSON
2. No frontend framework - No React, Vue, or Svelte
3. Server routing - No client-side router
4. Hypermedia - Use hx-* attributes for interactivity

Without this context, the AI will likely suggest REST APIs with a separate frontend.