Cursor AI Just Dropped the Ultimate Big Codebase Playbook

Show Notes

Cursor AI Just Dropped the Ultimate Big Codebase Playbook — show notes

Cursor AI is moving toward writing big codebases, but the practical playbook is what actually moves projects. Here’s the concise, no-fluff rundown and the actionable takeaways from today.

Quick takeaways

• AI will soon write large swaths of code, but you should double down on the tools you already trust.
• Build around PRDs, Taskmaster, and Cursor for scalable, repeatable changes.
• Don’t chase every trend; optimize with what you know and what works in production.
• If you’re tackling Stripe in Next.js, two solid starters to speed you up: Verscell’s SaaS starter and Midday’s Polar-based project.

Vector databases: scam or solid tool?

• The hype around dedicated vector databases is often overstated for many use cases.
• Real-world cost win: moving from expensive vector-only workflows to PG Vector on Postgres can dramatically cut costs (example discussion cited: from hundreds to tens of dollars per month).
• Key benefit: you can leverage standard SQL features (foreign keys, joins) with vector data, keeping everything in one database.
• Practical note: for higher-dimension embeddings, you’ll trade off some fast indexing (e.g., HNSW) for simpler, slower search, but you can often work around this.
• Takeaway: in many projects, using your existing Postgres/SQL stack with PG Vector is the smarter, cheaper path.

Curated workflow for large codebases with Cursor

• Use Cursor to scale with large codebases by combining planning, exploration, and execution.
• Plan first, then implement: start with a PRD-like plan, define outcomes, and map dependencies.
• Tools and modes:
  • Chat: broad exploration and multi-file understanding
  • Tab: quick in-file edits (your driver seat)
  • Command K: narrow to a single file/scope
  • Agent mode: deeper, targeted digging and automation
• Key inputs to maximize Cursor:
  • Include project structure and relevant folders for context
  • Write domain-specific rules to codify onboarding and contribution norms
  • Attach formatting rules via glob patterns (e.g., file naming, casing, language conventions)
• Planning discipline:
  • Use a detailed planning prompt to assemble context from past chats, tickets, and docs
  • Iterate with ask mode to refine plan before starting implementation
  • Transition later to Taskmaster for PRD-to-task translation and concrete steps
• Practical mental model: treat plan creation like shaping a rough block into a sculpture—start broad, then progressively refine with focused prompts.

In-browser IDE tips and practical UX

• You can view and edit code in-browser using a web editor when you hit certain UI cues (period key tip from the community).
• Cursor + Next.js patterns you’ll see in examples:
  • Server components, Next headers, and inline document components
  • Real-time IDE-like editing within the page (no local clone required)
• Quick tool map:
  • Tab: quick infile edits
  • Command K: scope to a single file
  • Chat: larger, multi-file changes and broader context

A practical workshop pattern to learn faster

• The speaker highlights a reusable workshop approach leveraging SSR, RAG, and web search templates
• Use cases and examples come from real projects (e.g., I vibe with AI workshop) to practice building with Cursor, PRDs, and Taskmaster
• Build a repeatable template you can drop into new big-code projects

Final notes and mindset

• AI isn’t coming; it’s here. Real-world impact includes agents closing real-world deals and changing how teams work.
• Be cautious with sensational claims or scams; verify sources and focus on robust tooling you can rely on.
• If you have questions, drop them in the comments—there’s a Q&A tomorrow.

Links

• Vercel SaaS Starter with Stripe (Stripe integration starter for Next.js)
• Next.js SaaS Starter (official Next.js SaaS template)
• Cursor AI (guide to using Cursor for large codebases)
• pgvector (PostgreSQL vector extension)
• Taskmaster AI (PRD-to-task translation tool)
• Vibe with AI Discord (workshop resources and community)

If you want me to tailor these notes for @parkerrex (longer, polished videos) or @parkerrex2 (short, punchy updates), I can adjust the density and tone.