06 — Setup

Purpose: Set up development environment and create implementation plan

Outcome: Have a working development environment and an approved implementation plan ready for building

Audience: PM / Dev / Both

Time: 4-8 hours

Prerequisites: 05 — Planning - User stories, PRD, and mockups complete

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

1. Set up Git repository and clone in Cursor

2. Configure .cursorrules for rapid MVP development

3. Use Cursor's plan mode to generate implementation plans

4. Review and approve implementation plans

5. Prepare development environment for building

Jobs-to-Be-Done

• When: I have a complete plan (user stories, PRD, mockups) and need to set up development

• I want: To set up development environment and create an implementation plan

• So that: I can build efficiently with clear direction and proper tooling

Inputs

• User stories, PRD, and mockups from 05 — Planning

• GitLab or GitHub account for version control

• Cursor IDE installed

• Understanding of foundation tech stack (see 06 — Setup: Implementation Planning)

Setup Workflow

Setup follows a sequential workflow with three main activities:

1. Git & Cursor Setup: Create Git repository and clone in Cursor IDE

2. .cursorrules Configuration: Configure development rules for rapid MVP development

3. Implementation Planning: Use Cursor Plan Mode to generate and approve implementation plan

💡 Tip: Follow the activities in order. Each builds on the previous one.

Activities Overview

1. Git & Cursor Setup

Purpose: Create Git repository and clone it in Cursor IDE

Key Steps:

• Create a new repository in GitLab or GitHub

• Clone the repository in Cursor

• Verify the setup is correct

Time: 15-30 minutes

Detailed Guide: 06 — Setup: Git & Cursor

2. .cursorrules Configuration

Purpose: Configure .cursorrules file with development rules for rapid MVP development

Key Steps:

• Review the .cursorrules template

• Create .cursorrules file in project root

• Customize rules based on your specific needs

• Test configuration with Cursor

Time: 30-60 minutes

Detailed Guide: 06 — Setup: .cursorrules

3. Implementation Planning

Purpose: Use Cursor Plan Mode to generate and approve an implementation plan

Key Steps:

• Prepare PRD, mockups, and tech stack

• Use Cursor Plan Mode to generate implementation plan

• Review and refine the plan

• Approve the plan for building

Time: 1-2 hours

Detailed Guide: 06 — Setup: Implementation Planning

Apply It Now

Task: Set up development environment and create implementation plan

Follow the sequential workflow:

1. Git & Cursor Setup: Complete 06 — Setup: Git & Cursor

   • Create GitLab or GitHub repository

   • Clone repository in Cursor

   • Verify setup

2. .cursorrules Configuration: Complete 06 — Setup: .cursorrules

   • Review template

   • Create and customize .cursorrules file

   • Test configuration

3. Implementation Planning: Complete 06 — Setup: Implementation Planning

   • Prepare PRD, mockups, and tech stack

   • Use Cursor Plan Mode

   • Review and approve implementation plan

Artifacts: You'll create:

• Git repository with .cursorrules

• Cursor implementation plan

• Initial project structure ready for building

Artifacts

You'll create throughout setup:

• Git repository configuration

• .cursorrules file

• Cursor implementation plan

• Initial project structure

Worked Example

Situation: Setting up for a B2B AI SaaS MVP

Setup Process:

1. Git & Cursor Setup (06 — Setup: Git & Cursor): Created GitHub repository mvp-product-name

   • Cloned repository in Cursor

   • Verified setup

   • Time: 15 minutes

2. .cursorrules Configuration (06 — Setup: .cursorrules): Created .cursorrules with rules for:

   • TypeScript strict mode

   • React best practices

   • Component organization

   • Error handling standards

   • MVP-specific guidelines

   • Customized for retrospective tool

   • Time: 45 minutes

3. Implementation Planning (06 — Setup: Implementation Planning): Provided PRD, 10 mockup PNGs, and tech stack

   • Cursor generated 15-task implementation plan

   • Reviewed and approved plan (1 adjustment requested)

   • Time: 1.5 hours

Time: Setup took 2.5 hours total

Checklist

Before proceeding to the next chapter, verify:

Git & Cursor Setup (06 — Setup: Git & Cursor):

• Git repository created

• Repository cloned in Cursor

• Setup verified

.cursorrules Configuration (06 — Setup: .cursorrules):

• .cursorrules file created in project root

• Rules customized for your MVP

• Configuration tested with Cursor

• File committed to repository

Implementation Planning (06 — Setup: Implementation Planning):

• Cursor Plan Mode used with PRD and mockups

• Implementation plan generated

• Plan reviewed and approved

• Plan documented and saved

Self-Assessment

1. What should you do first in the setup phase?

   • Configure .cursorrules

   • Create Git repository and clone in Cursor ✓

   • Generate implementation plan

   • Start building features

2. When should you set up .cursorrules?

   • After building the first feature

   • Before using Cursor Plan Mode ✓

   • After deployment

   • It's optional

3. What should you provide to Cursor Plan Mode? (Select all)

   • PRD document ✓

   • All mockup PNG files ✓

   • Tech stack specification ✓

   • Complete codebase

4. What should you review in the implementation plan? (Select all)

   • Plan covers all PRD features ✓

   • Tasks are logically sequenced ✓

   • Plan follows MVP scope ✓

   • Plan includes all future features

Exit Criteria

You're ready to proceed to 08 — Build Features when:

• Git repository is set up and cloned

• .cursorrules file is configured

• Cursor implementation plan is approved

• You're ready to begin building

Dependencies & Next Steps

Prerequisites Completed

• 05 — Planning - User stories, PRD, and mockups complete

Next Steps

Follow the sequential workflow:

1. Start with: 06 — Setup: Git & Cursor - Create Git repository and clone in Cursor

2. Then: 06 — Setup: .cursorrules - Configure development rules

3. Then: 06 — Setup: Implementation Planning - Generate and approve implementation plan

4. Finally: Proceed to 08 — Build Features - Build features end-to-end using Cursor collaboration

What This Enables

Completing setup enables:

• Efficient development with Cursor and .cursorrules

• Structured implementation following the plan

• Quality code through established rules

• Clear direction from approved plan

Related Resources

• 06 — Setup: Git & Cursor - Detailed Git and Cursor setup guide

• 06 — Setup: .cursorrules - Detailed .cursorrules configuration guide

• 06 — Setup: Implementation Planning - Detailed implementation planning guide

• .cursorrules Template - Template for Cursor development rules

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💡 Tip: The .cursorrules file is critical for maintaining code quality. Take time to customize it for your needs. 📝 Note: Review Cursor's implementation plan carefully. A good plan will save significant time during development. ⚠️ Warning: Don't skip the implementation plan review. Ensure it aligns with your PRD and MVP scope before proceeding to building.