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Anysphere · Cursor editor · Cursor CLI
Cursor rules files explained
Which instruction files Cursor reads (.cursor/rules/*.mdc, AGENTS.md, .cursorrules (legacy)), where to put them, and how to convert from other agents.
Files Cursor reads
.cursor/rules/*.mdcAGENTS.md.cursorrules (legacy)
AGENTS.md: Yes, in the project root and in subdirectories (nested files combine).
Skills folders: .cursor/skills/, .agents/skills/, .claude/skills/, .codex/skills/
Who reads what
| Agent | Rules files | AGENTS.md |
|---|---|---|
| Claude | CLAUDE.md, .claude/rules/*.md | Only when no CLAUDE.md / CLAUDE.local.md exists (default, v2.1.277+); or import it with @AGENTS.md |
| Codex | AGENTS.md, AGENTS.override.md | Yes: global ~/.codex/AGENTS.md plus one AGENTS.md (or AGENTS.override.md) per directory from the repo root down |
| Cursor | .cursor/rules/*.mdc, AGENTS.md, .cursorrules (legacy) | Yes, in the project root and in subdirectories (nested files combine) |
| Copilot | .github/copilot-instructions.md, .github/instructions/*.instructions.md, AGENTS.md | Yes on most surfaces (cloud agent, CLI, VS Code chat, code review); not Copilot Chat on GitHub.com |
| Antigravity | AGENTS.md, GEMINI.md, .agents/rules/*.md | Yes: AGENTS.md or GEMINI.md at any directory level, always on |
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