06 — Setup: Git & Cursor

Purpose: Create Git repository and clone it in Cursor IDE

Outcome: Have a Git repository set up and cloned in Cursor, ready for development

Audience: PM / Dev / Both

Time: 15-30 minutes

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

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Create a new Git repository in GitLab or GitHub

2. Clone the repository in Cursor IDE

3. Verify the setup is correct

4. Troubleshoot common setup issues

Jobs-to-Be-Done

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

• I want: To create a Git repository and clone it in Cursor

• So that: I can start development with proper version control and Cursor integration

Inputs

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

• GitLab or GitHub account for version control

• Cursor IDE installed

• Basic understanding of Git

Activities

1. Create Git Repository

Create a new GitLab or GitHub project for your MVP.

Process:

Option A: GitHub

1. Navigate to GitHub: Go to github.com and sign in

2. Create New Repository:

   • Click the "+" icon in the top right

   • Select "New repository"

3. Configure Repository:

   • Repository name: Choose a name that reflects your MVP (e.g., mvp-product-name)

   • Description: Brief description of your MVP (optional)

   • Visibility: Choose Private (recommended for MVP) or Public

   • Initialize repository:

     • Optionally check "Add a README file"

     • Optionally add .gitignore (choose Node template if using Node.js)

     • Optionally add a license (not necessary for MVP)

4. Create Repository: Click "Create repository"

5. Note Repository URL: Copy the repository URL (HTTPS or SSH)

Option B: GitLab

1. Navigate to GitLab: Go to gitlab.com and sign in

2. Create New Project:

   • Click "New project" or the "+" icon

   • Select "Create blank project"

3. Configure Project:

   • Project name: Choose a name that reflects your MVP (e.g., mvp-product-name)

   • Project slug: Will auto-populate (can be changed)

   • Visibility Level: Choose Private (recommended for MVP) or Public

   • Initialize repository:

     • Optionally check "Initialize repository with a README"

4. Create Project: Click "Create project"

5. Note Repository URL: Copy the repository URL (HTTPS or SSH)

Repository Naming Tips:

• Keep it simple and descriptive

• Use lowercase and hyphens (e.g., mvp-retrospective-tool)

• Avoid special characters and spaces

• Make it easy to remember and identify

💡 Tip: Choose a repository name that reflects your MVP. Keep it simple and descriptive. You can always rename it later if needed.

2. Clone Repository in Cursor

Open Cursor and clone your Git repository.

Process:

Method 1: Clone via Cursor UI

1. Open Cursor IDE: Launch Cursor application

2. Clone Repository:

   • Click "File" → "Clone Repository" (or use keyboard shortcut)

   • Alternatively, click "File" → "Open Folder" and then clone

3. Enter Repository URL:

   • Paste the repository URL you copied

   • Cursor will detect if it's a Git repository

4. Choose Clone Location:

   • Select where to clone the repository on your local machine

   • Choose a location you can easily find (e.g., Documents/Projects/)

5. Clone Repository:

   • Click "Clone" or "Open"

   • Cursor will clone the repository and open it

6. Verify Clone:

   • Check that the repository folder is open in Cursor

   • Verify you can see files (README if you created one)

Method 2: Clone via Command Palette

1. Open Cursor IDE: Launch Cursor application

2. Open Command Palette:

   • Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac)

   • Type "Git: Clone"

3. Enter Repository URL:

   • Paste the repository URL

   • Press Enter

4. Choose Clone Location:

   • Select the folder where you want to clone

5. Open Repository:

   • Cursor will ask if you want to open the cloned repository

   • Click "Open" to open it in Cursor

Method 3: Clone via Terminal (Advanced)

If you prefer using the terminal:

1. Open Terminal in Cursor:

   • Press Ctrl+` (backtick) to open integrated terminal

2. Navigate to Project Directory:

   cd ~/Documents/Projects  # or your preferred location

3. Clone Repository:

   git clone <repository-url>

4. Open in Cursor:

   • Use "File" → "Open Folder"

   • Navigate to the cloned repository folder

   • Click "Select Folder"

Troubleshooting:

• Authentication Issues: If you get authentication errors:

  • For HTTPS: You may need to set up a personal access token

  • For SSH: Ensure your SSH key is set up with GitHub/GitLab

  • See authentication documentation for your Git provider

• Repository Not Found:

  • Verify the repository URL is correct

  • Ensure you have access to the repository

  • Check that the repository exists

• Permission Denied:

  • Verify you have read/write access to the repository

  • Check your Git provider account permissions

3. Verify Setup

Ensure the repository is properly set up and ready for development.

Verification Steps:

1. Check Repository Status:

   • Open the integrated terminal in Cursor (Ctrl+`)

   • Run: git status

   • Should show "On branch main" (or "master") and "nothing to commit"

2. Verify Remote Connection:

   • Run: git remote -v

   • Should show your repository URL (origin)

3. Check File Structure:

   • Verify you can see the repository files in Cursor's file explorer

   • If you initialized with README, you should see README.md

4. Test Git Operations:

   • Make a small test change (e.g., edit README.md)

   • Run: git status - should show the modified file

   • Run: git diff - should show the changes

If Setup is Correct:

• ✅ Repository is cloned

• ✅ Cursor is open to the repository folder

• ✅ Git is working properly

• ✅ Remote connection is configured

• ✅ Ready to proceed to .cursorrules setup

💡 Tip: If you encounter any issues, check the Cursor documentation or Git provider documentation for troubleshooting steps.

Apply It Now

Task: Create Git repository and clone it in Cursor

1. Create a new repository in GitLab or GitHub

   • Choose a descriptive name

   • Set visibility (Private recommended for MVP)

   • Optionally initialize with README

   • Copy the repository URL

2. Clone repository in Cursor

   • Use Cursor's clone feature

   • Choose a local location

   • Open the cloned repository

3. Verify setup

   • Check Git status

   • Verify remote connection

   • Ensure repository is properly configured

Artifacts: You'll create:

• Git repository (GitLab or GitHub)

• Local cloned repository

• Repository ready for development

Artifacts

You'll create:

• Git repository (remote)

• Local cloned repository

• Connection between local and remote repository

Worked Example

Situation: Setting up Git repository for a B2B AI SaaS MVP

Git Setup Process:

1. Repository Creation:

   • Created GitHub repository named mvp-retrospective-tool

   • Set visibility to Private

   • Initialized with README.md

   • Copied repository URL: https://github.com/username/mvp-retrospective-tool.git

2. Clone in Cursor:

   • Opened Cursor IDE

   • Used File → Clone Repository

   • Pasted repository URL

   • Cloned to ~/Documents/Projects/mvp-retrospective-tool

   • Cursor automatically opened the repository

3. Verification:

   • Ran git status - confirmed clean repository

   • Ran git remote -v - confirmed remote connection

   • Verified README.md is visible in Cursor

   • Ready for next step

Time: 15 minutes total

Checklist

Before proceeding to .cursorrules setup, verify:

• Git repository created in GitLab or GitHub

• Repository URL copied

• Repository cloned in Cursor

• Repository folder open in Cursor

• Git status verified (run git status)

• Remote connection verified (run git remote -v)

• Ready to proceed to .cursorrules setup

Self-Assessment

1. What should you do after creating the Git repository?

   • Start coding immediately

   • Clone the repository in Cursor ✓

   • Deploy to production

   • Skip version control

2. How do you verify the repository is properly cloned?

   • Check the repository URL

   • Run git status and verify remote connection ✓

   • Deploy the application

   • Create a new branch

3. What should you do if you get authentication errors?

   • Skip Git setup

   • Check your Git provider authentication settings ✓

   • Use a different repository

   • Continue without Git

Exit Criteria

You're ready to proceed to .cursorrules setup when:

• Git repository is created and accessible

• Repository is cloned in Cursor

• Repository folder is open in Cursor

• Git is working properly (verified with git status)

• Remote connection is configured correctly

Dependencies & Next Steps

Prerequisites Completed

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

Next Steps

• Proceed to 06 — Setup: .cursorrules to configure development rules for Cursor

What This Enables

Completing Git and Cursor setup enables:

• Version control for your MVP

• Cursor IDE ready for development

• Proper repository structure

• Foundation for collaborative development

Related Resources

• 06 — Setup - Return to Setup overview

• Git provider documentation (GitHub or GitLab)

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💡 Tip: Take time to set up Git properly. Good version control practices will save you time and help you collaborate effectively. 📝 Note: The repository structure will be set up in the next step when you configure .cursorrules and create the implementation plan.