Why Cursor imports files that do not exist

1---
2description: Import validation rules
3globs: "src/**/*.ts,src/**/*.tsx"
4alwaysApply: true
5---
6
7## Import Rules
8- ONLY import from packages listed in package.json
9- ONLY import from files that exist in the project
10- Use @/ alias for src/ imports (configured in tsconfig)
11- NEVER guess at import paths — ask if unsure
12- NEVER import from packages not in package.json
13- Check @package.json before using any third-party import
14
15## Known Project Structure
16- @/components/ — React components
17- @/hooks/ — custom hooks
18- @/lib/ — utility functions
19- @/types/ — TypeScript types
20- @/services/ — API service classes
21- @/config/ — configuration modules
22
23## Common False Imports to AVOID
24- Do NOT import from '@/utils' (use @/lib instead)
25- Do NOT import from 'lodash' (not installed, use native)
26- Do NOT import from '@/api' (use @/services instead)

1// Cursor Chat prompt (Cmd+L):
2// @package.json @tsconfig.json
3// Generate a date formatting utility at src/lib/dates.ts.
4// Only use packages that are in our package.json.
5// If a package is needed but not installed, tell me
6// instead of importing it.
7
8// This prevents Cursor from importing moment, luxon, or
9// other date libraries that are not in your dependencies.

1// Terminal:
2npx tsc --noEmit
3
4// Common errors from phantom imports:
5// Cannot find module '@/utils/helpers' or its corresponding type declarations
6// Module '@/api/userClient' has no exported member 'fetchUser'
7// Cannot find module 'lodash/debounce'
8
9// Paste errors into Cursor Chat:
10// @package.json These import errors appeared after your
11// last generation. Fix them using only packages in our
12// package.json and files that exist in our project.

1// Cursor Chat prompt (Cmd+L):
2// @src/lib/ @package.json
3// Fix these import errors:
4// 1. '@/utils/helpers' does not exist → find the correct
5//    path in src/lib/ that has the needed function
6// 2. 'lodash/debounce' is not installed → implement a
7//    simple debounce function in src/lib/debounce.ts
8// 3. '@/api/userClient' does not exist → use the existing
9//    @/services/UserService instead

1// Composer prompt (Cmd+I):
2// @package.json @src/lib/ @src/services/ @src/types/
3// Generate a new notification module with:
4// - src/services/NotificationService.ts
5// - src/hooks/useNotifications.ts
6// - src/types/notification.ts
7//
8// IMPORTANT: Only import from:
9// - Packages in package.json
10// - Files that already exist (referenced above)
11// - Files you are creating in this session
12// Do NOT import from any path that does not exist.