Module 0.1: Introduction to Cursor for PMs

Reference Guide

• Time to Complete: 10 minutes
• Prerequisites: None

📖 Overview

Cursor is an AI-powered IDE (text editor) that transforms how Product Managers work with documents, data, and text. Unlike traditional coding tools, Cursor lets PMs use AI to create, edit, and analyze files through natural conversation—no terminal commands required.

This course is done entirely in Cursor. You’ll learn Cursor by using Cursor—the course materials open in the application, and Claude guides you through interactive lessons inside the editor.

Key takeaway: Cursor saves PMs 10-20 hours per week by automating document creation, research analysis, meeting note processing, and repetitive PM work.

Who This Course Is For

Perfect for:

• Product Managers at any level
• Product designers working on documentation
• PMs new to AI tools
• PMs switching from ChatGPT/Claude web

Not ideal for:

• Engineers (you probably know Cursor already)
• People looking for coding tutorials
• Teams needing collaboration features (Cursor is individual-focused)

Course Structure

You’ll take this course inside Cursor itself:

• Download course files and open them in Cursor
• Type slash commands (like /start-1-1) to begin modules
• Claude guides you step-by-step through interactive lessons
• You DO the work (write PRDs, analyze data) using Cursor’s features

All exercises use TaskFlow, a fictional project management SaaS company (think “Asana meets Linear”). You’ll practice with:

• Realistic PRDs, meeting notes, and user research
• Actual PM deliverables, not toy examples
• Business context that mirrors real startup work

Your role: Senior PM for activation and onboarding at TaskFlow, a Series B startup with $2.5M ARR and 10,000 users.

What Cursor Does for PMs

Cursor combines a familiar text editor interface (like VS Code) with powerful AI capabilities specifically useful for Product Management work.

Core capabilities:

What makes it different:

• Visual interface - See your files, folders, and changes (not just terminal text)
• File system integration - AI works directly with your actual files
• Persistent context - AI remembers your project setup via .cursorrules files
• Beginner-friendly - No coding or command-line experience needed

Real-World PM Use Cases

Strategic Work

• PRD authoring - Generate first drafts from meeting notes or research
• Roadmap planning - Analyze feedback and synthesize into priorities
• Competitive analysis - Structure research into comparison matrices
• User research synthesis - Process interview transcripts into insights

Execution

• Ticket creation - Transform PRD sections into Jira/Linear stories
• Data formatting - Convert spreadsheets, clean CSVs, restructure tables
• File organization - Batch rename, reorganize, or restructure folders
• Documentation - Create onboarding docs, process maps, wikis

Communication

• Stakeholder updates - Generate status reports from various sources
• Release notes - Draft user-facing changelogs from ticket lists
• Presentations - Build slide outlines or speaker notes
• Meeting notes - Process and summarize recordings or transcripts

Research & Analysis

• User feedback - Analyze support tickets, reviews, or survey responses
• Competitor tracking - Structure competitive intelligence into usable formats
• Market research - Synthesize industry reports or trend analysis

Time Savings Breakdown

Typical weekly savings:

Course Time Investment

Foundation Level (Modules 0-1):

• Setup and basics: 2-3 hours
• Returns: Immediate time savings on basic tasks

Intermediate Level (Module 2):

• Real PM workflows: 3-4 hours
• Returns: Handle complex multi-file work

Advanced Level (Module 3):

• Advanced techniques: 2-3 hours
• Returns: Orchestrate complex projects

Total: 7-10 hours for full mastery

ROI: After one week, you’ll have saved more time than you invested.

The Mindset Shift

From Manual Executor to Orchestrator

Before Cursor:

1. Open file
2. Copy content
3. Paste into ChatGPT
4. Copy response back
5. Manual formatting
6. Repeat for each file

With Cursor:

1. Ask AI to work with your files
2. AI handles everything
3. Review and refine

Example:

• Old way: Spend 3 hours manually creating 20 user story tickets from a PRD
• Cursor way: “Create Jira stories from this PRD using our ticket template” (15 minutes)

Conversation Over Commands

Cursor doesn’t require learning terminal commands or coding syntax. You work with AI through natural conversation:

• ❌ Don’t need: grep -r "TODO" . | awk '{print $1}'
• ✅ Just say: “Find all TODO items across these files”

Persistent Context

Unlike web chatbots, Cursor remembers your project setup:

• Project rules define how AI should behave
• File references stay accessible without re-uploading
• Templates standardize outputs across your team

What You’ll Learn

Module 0: Setup (10-15 minutes)

• 0.1: Introduction (this guide)
• 0.2: Installing Cursor and opening the course folder

Module 1: Cursor Fundamentals (2-3 hours)

• 1.1: Welcome to TaskFlow (fictional company context)
• 1.2: Interface and navigation
• 1.3: @ Mentions (file referencing)
• 1.4: Chat vs Composer
• 1.5: Cmd+K inline editing
• 1.6: Project rules and templates
• 1.7: Putting it all together

Module 2: Real PM Work (3-4 hours)

• 2.1: Writing PRDs with AI
• 2.2: Processing user research
• 2.3: Data analysis and synthesis

Module 3: Advanced Techniques (2-3 hours)

• 3.1: Multi-file workflows
• 3.2: Custom project rules
• 3.3: Building reusable templates

Requirements

Before starting Module 0.2, you’ll need:

• Mac or Windows computer
• 10 GB free disk space
• Internet connection
• No coding experience required
• No prior AI tool experience needed

Note: Installation is covered in Module 0.2. This module is just an introduction.

🚀 What’s Next?

Module 0.1 complete:

• ✅ Understand what Cursor does for PMs
• ✅ See potential time savings (10-20 hours/week)
• ✅ Know course structure and time investment

Next: Module 0.2 - Installing Cursor

You’ll download Cursor, create an account, activate your Pro trial, and open the course folder.

Go to Module 0.2: Installing Cursor →

📚 Resources

Official:

• Cursor.com - Download and pricing
• Cursor Docs - Official documentation
• Cursor Forum - Community support

Community:

• Cursor Discord - Real-time help
• Cursor on Twitter - Updates and tips