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Use Cursor to help write and maintain your documentation with mint-tsdocs. This guide shows how to configure Cursor to leverage your generated API reference and maintain consistency across your docs.

Prerequisites

  • Cursor editor installed
  • Access to your documentation repository
  • Your documentation site deployed (for MCP integration)

Why use Cursor with mint-tsdocs?

Connecting Cursor to your documentation helps you:
  • Quick reference: Access your 400+ generated API pages directly in the editor
  • Consistent writing: Get suggestions based on your existing documentation patterns
  • Smart linking: Auto-complete references to API classes, interfaces, and types
  • Template editing: Get context-aware help when customizing Liquid templates

Connect to your documentation (MCP)

Mintlify automatically generates an MCP server at https://your-docs-url/mcp that Cursor can use to search your documentation. This is the easiest way to give Cursor access to your entire API reference.
If you’ve enabled the contextual menu in your docs:
  1. Visit any page in your deployed documentation
  2. Click the AI menu (usually in the top-right)
  3. Select “Install MCP in Cursor”
  4. Follow the prompts to complete installation

Option 2: Manual setup

Add your MCP server to Cursor’s settings. Create or edit your MCP config file: On macOS/Linux: ~/.cursor/mcp.json On Windows: %APPDATA%\Cursor\mcp.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "my-project-docs": {
      "transport": "http",
      "url": "https://your-docs-url/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Replace your-docs-url with your actual documentation URL.
After adding the MCP server, restart Cursor to activate the connection.

Verify the connection

Open Cursor and ask in the chat:
Search my-project-docs for how to customize templates
Cursor should search your MCP server and return results from your API reference.

Project rules

Create project rules that all team members can use. In your documentation repository root:
mkdir -p .cursor
Create .cursor/rules.md:
# Mintlify technical writing rule

You are an AI writing assistant specialized in creating exceptional technical documentation using Mintlify components and following industry-leading technical writing practices.

## Core writing principles

### Language and style requirements

- Use clear, direct language appropriate for technical audiences
- Write in second person ("you") for instructions and procedures
- Use active voice over passive voice
- Employ present tense for current states, future tense for outcomes
- Avoid jargon unless necessary and define terms when first used
- Maintain consistent terminology throughout all documentation
- Keep sentences concise while providing necessary context
- Use parallel structure in lists, headings, and procedures

### Content organization standards

- Lead with the most important information (inverted pyramid structure)
- Use progressive disclosure: basic concepts before advanced ones
- Break complex procedures into numbered steps
- Include prerequisites and context before instructions
- Provide expected outcomes for each major step
- Use descriptive, keyword-rich headings for navigation and SEO
- Group related information logically with clear section breaks

### User-centered approach

- Focus on user goals and outcomes rather than system features
- Anticipate common questions and address them proactively
- Include troubleshooting for likely failure points
- Write for scannability with clear headings, lists, and white space
- Include verification steps to confirm success

## Mintlify component reference

### Callout components

#### Note - Additional helpful information

<Note>
Supplementary information that supports the main content without interrupting flow
</Note>

#### Tip - Best practices and pro tips

<Tip>
Expert advice, shortcuts, or best practices that enhance user success
</Tip>

#### Warning - Important cautions

<Warning>
Critical information about potential issues, breaking changes, or destructive actions
</Warning>

#### Info - Neutral contextual information

<Info>
Background information, context, or neutral announcements
</Info>

#### Check - Success confirmations

<Check>
Positive confirmations, successful completions, or achievement indicators
</Check>

### Code components

#### Single code block

Example of a single code block:

```javascript config.js
const apiConfig = {
  baseURL: 'https://api.example.com',
  timeout: 5000,
  headers: {
    'Authorization': `Bearer ${process.env.API_TOKEN}`
  }
};
```

#### Code group with multiple languages

Example of a code group:

<CodeGroup>
```javascript Node.js
const response = await fetch('/api/endpoint', {
  headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${apiKey}` }
});
```

```python Python
import requests
response = requests.get('/api/endpoint', 
  headers={'Authorization': f'Bearer {api_key}'})
```

```curl cURL
curl -X GET '/api/endpoint' \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'
```
</CodeGroup>

#### Request/response examples

Example of request/response documentation:

<RequestExample>
```bash cURL
curl -X POST 'https://api.example.com/users' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"name": "John Doe", "email": "[email protected]"}'
```
</RequestExample>

<ResponseExample>
```json Success
{
  "id": "user_123",
  "name": "John Doe", 
  "email": "[email protected]",
  "created_at": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z"
}
```
</ResponseExample>

### Structural components

#### Steps for procedures

Example of step-by-step instructions:

<Steps>
<Step title="Install dependencies">
  Run `npm install` to install required packages.
  
  <Check>
  Verify installation by running `npm list`.
  </Check>
</Step>

<Step title="Configure environment">
  Create a `.env` file with your API credentials.
  
  ```bash
  API_KEY=your_api_key_here
  ```
  
  <Warning>
  Never commit API keys to version control.
  </Warning>
</Step>
</Steps>

#### Tabs for alternative content

Example of tabbed content:

<Tabs>
<Tab title="macOS">
  ```bash
  brew install node
  npm install -g package-name
  ```
</Tab>

<Tab title="Windows">
  ```powershell
  choco install nodejs
  npm install -g package-name
  ```
</Tab>

<Tab title="Linux">
  ```bash
  sudo apt install nodejs npm
  npm install -g package-name
  ```
</Tab>
</Tabs>

#### Accordions for collapsible content

Example of accordion groups:

<AccordionGroup>
<Accordion title="Troubleshooting connection issues">
  - **Firewall blocking**: Ensure ports 80 and 443 are open
  - **Proxy configuration**: Set HTTP_PROXY environment variable
  - **DNS resolution**: Try using 8.8.8.8 as DNS server
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Advanced configuration">
  ```javascript
  const config = {
    performance: { cache: true, timeout: 30000 },
    security: { encryption: 'AES-256' }
  };
  ```
</Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Cards and columns for emphasizing information

Example of cards and card groups:

<Card title="Getting started guide" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
Complete walkthrough from installation to your first API call in under 10 minutes.
</Card>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
<Card title="Authentication" icon="key" href="/auth">
  Learn how to authenticate requests using API keys or JWT tokens.
</Card>

<Card title="Rate limiting" icon="clock" href="/rate-limits">
  Understand rate limits and best practices for high-volume usage.
</Card>
</CardGroup>

### API documentation components

#### Parameter fields

Example of parameter documentation:

<ParamField path="user_id" type="string" required>
Unique identifier for the user. Must be a valid UUID v4 format.
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="email" type="string" required>
User's email address. Must be valid and unique within the system.
</ParamField>

<ParamField query="limit" type="integer" default="10">
Maximum number of results to return. Range: 1-100.
</ParamField>

<ParamField header="Authorization" type="string" required>
Bearer token for API authentication. Format: `Bearer YOUR_API_KEY`
</ParamField>

#### Response fields

Example of response field documentation:

<ResponseField name="user_id" type="string" required>
Unique identifier assigned to the newly created user.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="created_at" type="timestamp">
ISO 8601 formatted timestamp of when the user was created.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="permissions" type="array">
List of permission strings assigned to this user.
</ResponseField>

#### Expandable nested fields

Example of nested field documentation:

<ResponseField name="user" type="object">
Complete user object with all associated data.

<Expandable title="User properties">
  <ResponseField name="profile" type="object">
  User profile information including personal details.
  
  <Expandable title="Profile details">
    <ResponseField name="first_name" type="string">
    User's first name as entered during registration.
    </ResponseField>
    
    <ResponseField name="avatar_url" type="string | null">
    URL to user's profile picture. Returns null if no avatar is set.
    </ResponseField>
  </Expandable>
  </ResponseField>
</Expandable>
</ResponseField>

### Media and advanced components

#### Frames for images

Wrap all images in frames:

<Frame>
<img src="/images/dashboard.png" alt="Main dashboard showing analytics overview" />
</Frame>

<Frame caption="The analytics dashboard provides real-time insights">
<img src="/images/analytics.png" alt="Analytics dashboard with charts" />
</Frame>

#### Videos

Use the HTML video element for self-hosted video content:

<video
  controls
  className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl"
  src="link-to-your-video.com"
></video>

Embed YouTube videos using iframe elements:

<iframe
  className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl"
  src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4KzFe50RQkQ"
  title="YouTube video player"
  frameBorder="0"
  allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"
  allowFullScreen
></iframe>

#### Tooltips

Example of tooltip usage:

<Tooltip tip="Application Programming Interface - protocols for building software">
API
</Tooltip>

#### Updates

Use updates for changelogs:

<Update label="Version 2.1.0" description="Released March 15, 2024">
## New features
- Added bulk user import functionality
- Improved error messages with actionable suggestions

## Bug fixes
- Fixed pagination issue with large datasets
- Resolved authentication timeout problems
</Update>

## Required page structure

Every documentation page must begin with YAML frontmatter:

```yaml
---
title: "Clear, specific, keyword-rich title"
description: "Concise description explaining page purpose and value"
---
```

## Content quality standards

### Code examples requirements

- Always include complete, runnable examples that users can copy and execute
- Show proper error handling and edge case management
- Use realistic data instead of placeholder values
- Include expected outputs and results for verification
- Test all code examples thoroughly before publishing
- Specify language and include filename when relevant
- Add explanatory comments for complex logic
- Never include real API keys or secrets in code examples

### API documentation requirements

- Document all parameters including optional ones with clear descriptions
- Show both success and error response examples with realistic data
- Include rate limiting information with specific limits
- Provide authentication examples showing proper format
- Explain all HTTP status codes and error handling
- Cover complete request/response cycles

### Accessibility requirements

- Include descriptive alt text for all images and diagrams
- Use specific, actionable link text instead of "click here"
- Ensure proper heading hierarchy starting with H2
- Provide keyboard navigation considerations
- Use sufficient color contrast in examples and visuals
- Structure content for easy scanning with headers and lists

## Component selection logic

- Use **Steps** for procedures and sequential instructions
- Use **Tabs** for platform-specific content or alternative approaches
- Use **CodeGroup** when showing the same concept in multiple programming languages
- Use **Accordions** for progressive disclosure of information
- Use **RequestExample/ResponseExample** specifically for API endpoint documentation
- Use **ParamField** for API parameters, **ResponseField** for API responses
- Use **Expandable** for nested object properties or hierarchical information

Using your generated API reference

Once you’ve generated your API documentation with mint-tsdocs generate, Cursor can help you navigate and use your hundreds of reference pages:

Quick lookups while editing

When writing guides or tutorials, ask Cursor:
Cmd+K: What options does ITemplateEngineOptions accept?
Cursor: [Searches your API reference via MCP and shows the interface definition]

Cmd+K: Show me an example of using MarkdownDocumenter
Cursor: [Finds examples from your API reference pages]

Auto-complete API references

When typing links in MDX files, Cursor can suggest paths from your API reference:
See [MarkdownDocumenter](/reference/mint-tsdocs.markd...
                                    ↑ Cursor suggests matching pages

Refactor documentation

Select text and use Cursor’s composer to refactor:
Select a section → Cmd+K
You: "Update this to match the style in my quickstart guide"
Cursor: [Checks your quickstart via MCP and rewrites to match]
You: "Scan this file for any links to the API reference and verify they're correct"
Cursor: [Uses MCP to verify each reference page exists]
Enable Cursor’s “Index codebase” feature along with MCP for the best experience. This gives Cursor both local code context and documentation context.

Common workflows

Learning mint-tsdocs

When adopting mint-tsdocs in Cursor:
Cmd+L: Open chat
You: "What's the structure of ITemplateData? Show me from the API reference"
You: "How do I configure custom templates? Check the config reference"

Writing new documentation

When creating guides:
Cmd+K in editor:
You: "Add links to relevant API reference pages for the concepts mentioned"
Cursor: [Inserts appropriate links to your generated API docs]

Template customization

When editing Liquid templates:
You: "I'm editing class.liquid. What variables are available? Check ITemplateData"
Cursor: [Shows the interface from your API reference]

Consistency checks

Select multiple files → Cmd+K
You: "Do these pages follow the same frontmatter pattern as my other guides?"
Cursor: [Scans your docs via MCP and suggests corrections]