Build a React + Next.js Application with Cursor

Building a web application can be done in hours with an AI coding assistant like Cursor, whereas it used to take weeks. This guide will walk you through building a responsive React and Next.js application and highlight why Cursor is a great choice for the task.

Why Cursor?

While other tools like GitHub Copilot are great for small code suggestions and Windsurf is made for large-scale enterprise use, Cursor is an AI-native editor that functions as a coding partner. Cursor is built for a "chat-first," conversational workflow and can comprehend your entire project, not just a single file. This allows it to easily handle complex, multi-step tasks. It also has powerful features for referencing files, documentation, and even past conversations with the AI, which gives you a high degree of control over the context the AI uses.

The Art of the Prompt: Guiding Your AI Partner

Finding the right prompt is less about a single "magic phrase" and more about moving from a general idea to a specific, actionable request.

Start with the Big Idea: Begin with a high-level goal, such as "Build a data dashboard". This is your North Star and is just a concept at this stage.
Add Specifics and Constraints: To guide the AI, you need to break down the big idea. For example, you might decide on the technologies (React and Next.js) and find a template you like (https://dashboard.com). You can also specify the core components, such as a header, a body with statistics and graph components, and a footer. This turns a vague request into a concrete plan.
I want to make a dashboard, so I prompt with:
Use this https://dashboard.com as a reference for the app layout. Create a web application using React, Next.js, [other tools] that includes: a header, a body with statistics and graph components, and [other app specifications]
Refine and Enhance: The best prompts are iterative. The initial prompt provides the basic structure, and then you can add more detailed prompts to build on it. For example, after prompting the AI to create the basic dashboard, you can then prompt it to "Add more components" like a reusable component for a line graph or a loading screen.
I need specific components for my data dashboard, so I prompt with.
Add more components:
- a reusable component that has a title, current value, trend percentage, and representative icon
- a reusable component that has a line graph for Revenue vs Time
- a loading screen while data is loading in

This process is similar to working with a skilled artist: you provide them with a clear, detailed sketch and then give more specific instructions for adding color and texture. The better your initial sketch, the more stunning the final piece will be.

This approach works well because:

It reduces ambiguity, as a specific prompt leaves no room for the AI to guess what you want.
It provides context by including the reference website and the technologies you plan to use, giving the AI a complete picture of your requirements.
It is iterative, so you don't have to get everything perfect on the first try. You can build on previous successes by prompting the AI to add and refine components as you go.

The Process: A Quick Guide

Set Up: Install npm and Next.js. In Cursor, create your project in your terminal by using the following commands:
npx create-next-app@latest dashboard
cd dashboard
First Draft: Use the "Art of the Prompt" section to guide you in writing a prompt and giving Cursor its first major task. You will see the code appear in real time.
Run the App: Once Cursor is done, run your application to see your functioning web page using the command npm run dev.
Add-Ons & Expansion: Now for the fun part! Time to add the specific features that make your app unique. For instance, you could prompt the AI to add a reusable component with a line graph for "Revenue vs Time" or a loading screen.
Review and Refine: You must review the code to understand what the AI has done. This is an opportunity to learn new coding patterns and ensure everything is exactly as you want it.

Conclusion

Cursor is a coding partner, not just an autocomplete tool. You can build full web applications with a few smart prompts. Happy coding!