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name: update-cursor-settings description: >- Modify Cursor/VSCode user settings in settings.json. Use when you want to change editor settings, preferences, configuration, themes, font size, tab size, format on save, auto save, keybindings, or any settings.json values. metadata: surfaces: - ide

Updating Cursor Settings

This skill guides you through modifying Cursor/VSCode user settings. Use this when you want to change editor settings, preferences, configuration, themes, keybindings, or any settings.json values.

Settings File Location

OSPath
macOS~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User/settings.json
Linux~/.config/Cursor/User/settings.json
Windows%APPDATA%\Cursor\User\settings.json

Before Modifying Settings

  1. Read the existing settings file to understand current configuration
  2. Preserve existing settings - only add/modify what the user requested
  3. Validate JSON syntax before writing to avoid breaking the editor

Modifying Settings

Step 1: Read Current Settings

// Read the settings file first
const settingsPath = "~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User/settings.json";
// Use the Read tool to get current contents

Step 2: Identify the Setting to Change

Common setting categories:

  • Editor: editor.fontSize, editor.tabSize, editor.wordWrap, editor.formatOnSave
  • Workbench: workbench.colorTheme, workbench.iconTheme, workbench.sideBar.location
  • Files: files.autoSave, files.exclude, files.associations
  • Terminal: terminal.integrated.fontSize, terminal.integrated.shell.*
  • Cursor-specific: Settings prefixed with cursor. or aipopup.

Step 3: Update the Setting

When modifying settings.json:

  1. Parse the existing JSON (handle comments - VSCode settings support JSON with comments)
  2. Add or update the requested setting
  3. Preserve all other existing settings
  4. Write back with proper formatting (2-space indentation)

Example: Changing Font Size

If user says "make the font bigger":

{
  "editor.fontSize": 16
}

Example: Enabling Format on Save

If user says "format my code when I save":

{
  "editor.formatOnSave": true
}

Example: Changing Theme

If user says "use dark theme" or "change my theme":

{
  "workbench.colorTheme": "Default Dark Modern"
}

Important Notes

  1. JSON with Comments: VSCode/Cursor settings.json supports comments (// and /* */). When reading, be aware comments may exist. When writing, preserve comments if possible.

  2. Restart May Be Required: Some settings take effect immediately, others require reloading the window or restarting Cursor. Inform the user if a restart is needed.

  3. Backup: For significant changes, consider mentioning the user can undo via Ctrl/Cmd+Z in the settings file or by reverting git changes if tracked.

  4. Workspace vs User Settings:

    • User settings (what this skill covers): Apply globally to all projects
    • Workspace settings (.vscode/settings.json): Apply only to the current project

  5. Commit Attribution: When the user asks about commit attribution, clarify whether they want to edit the CLI agent or the IDE agent. For the CLI agent, modify ~/.cursor/cli-config.json. For the IDE agent, it is controlled from the UI at Cursor Settings > Agent > Attribution (not settings.json).

Common User Requests → Settings

User RequestSetting
"bigger/smaller font"editor.fontSize
"change tab size"editor.tabSize
"format on save"editor.formatOnSave
"word wrap"editor.wordWrap
"change theme"workbench.colorTheme
"hide minimap"editor.minimap.enabled
"auto save"files.autoSave
"line numbers"editor.lineNumbers
"bracket matching"editor.bracketPairColorization.enabled
"cursor style"editor.cursorStyle
"smooth scrolling"editor.smoothScrolling

Workflow

  1. Read ~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User/settings.json
  2. Parse the JSON content
  3. Add/modify the requested setting(s)
  4. Write the updated JSON back to the file
  5. Inform the user the setting has been changed and whether a reload is needed

Overview

update-cursor-settings is a free skill on OpenRuna. Modify Cursor/VSCode user settings in settings.json. Use when you want to change editor settings, preferences, configuration, themes, font size, tab size, format on save, auto save

What this skill does

Looking for a dependable skill? "update-cursor-settings" gives you a tested starting point instead of a blank prompt box. Modify Cursor/VSCode user settings in settings.json. Use when you want to change editor settings, preferences, configuration, themes, font size, tab size, format on save, auto save, keybindings, or any settings.json values. It is catalogued next to similar resources on OpenRuna, so the rest of the toolkit you need is close by. Paste it straight into a chat, drop it into a system prompt, or store it as a reusable skill.

Use cases

  • Fork it as a baseline and layer in your own project context, constraints, and examples.
  • Keep it in a shared library as the canonical version of this skill for your organisation.
  • Use "update-cursor-settings" when you need a repeatable skill for professional work without rewriting instructions every time.
  • Hand "update-cursor-settings" to a new teammate so their skill output matches your team's quality bar from day one.

Example output

Running this skill produces output shaped like the source material below:

# Updating Cursor Settings

This skill guides you through modifying Cursor/VSCode user settings. Use this when you want to change editor settings, preferences, configuration, themes, keybindings, or any `settings.json` values.

## Settings File Location

| OS | Path |
|----|------|
| macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User/settings.json |
| Linux | ~/.config/Cursor/User/settings.json |
| Windows | %APPDATA%\Cursor\User\settings.json |

## Before Modifying Settings

1. **Read the existing settings file** to understand current configuration
2. **Preserve existing settings** - only add/…

Results vary by model and temperature; treat the first response as a draft and refine it with follow-up prompts.

Tips by platform

Claude

Claude works best when you paste this skill up front and ask it to outline its plan before writing. Use the artifact panel to refine structured output turn by turn.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT responds well when you paste this skill and immediately give one concrete example of your input. Use a reasoning-capable model for multi-step work.

Cursor

Add this skill to your Cursor rules and invoke it from Agent mode for repeatable results. Link back to its OpenRuna page in the rule so the source stays discoverable.

Frequently asked questions

What is "update-cursor-settings"?
It is a skill listed on OpenRuna — Modify Cursor/VSCode user settings in settings.json. Use when you want to change editor settings, preferences, configuration, themes, font size, tab size, format on save, auto save, keybindings, or any settings.json values. You can copy and adapt it for ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, or any other AI assistant.
Is "update-cursor-settings" free to use?
Most OpenRuna resources are open or CC0-licensed. Check the license shown on this page before commercial use; premium collections are clearly marked as such.
How do I get the best results from this skill?
Replace any placeholders, add your project context, and ask the model to confirm its assumptions first. Iterate over 2–3 follow-up turns rather than expecting a perfect first response.
Does "update-cursor-settings" work with both Claude and ChatGPT?
Yes — it is model-agnostic text, so it runs on Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Cursor. The tips on this page cover each of those assistants specifically.
Where can I find resources related to "update-cursor-settings"?
Scroll to the Related resources section on this page, or open the matching category hub on OpenRuna to find connected prompts, tools, agents, and datasets in the same topic area.

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