How to limit Cursor AI suggestions to a single UI library (e.g., Material-UI) in React projects?

 

Limiting Cursor AI Suggestions to a Single UI Library in React Projects

 

When developing React projects, you may want to restrict AI coding assistants like Cursor to recommend components from a specific UI library, such as Material-UI. Here's a detailed guide to achieve this goal.

 

Setting Up the Development Environment

 

• Ensure you have Node.js and npm installed on your system. These are essential for managing packages and running your React application.
• Initialize a new React project using Create React App (CRA) with the command npx create-react-app my-app.
• Navigate to your project directory with cd my-app.

 

Installing Material-UI

 

• Install Material-UI components and styles with the command npm install @mui/material @emotion/react @emotion/styled.
• Verify the installation by checking your package.json file to ensure the dependencies were added correctly.

 

Configuring ESLint for Code Suggestions

 

• ESLint can be integrated with extensions like Prettier or coding assistants to enforce specific coding styles. Install ESLint using npm install eslint --save-dev.
• Initialize ESLint in your project by running npx eslint --init and follow the prompts to set up your configuration.
• Create or update .eslintrc.js file to enforce rules that guide AI suggestions to use Material-UI. Include specific import/order rules and plugins if necessary.
• Example setup for enforcing Material-UI imports:

  <pre>
  module.exports = {
    "rules": {
      "import/no-extraneous-dependencies": ["error", {"devDependencies": false, "optionalDependencies": false, "peerDependencies": false}],
      "import/order": [
        "error",
        {
          "groups": [["builtin", "external", "internal"]],
          "pathGroups": [
            {
              "pattern": "@mui/\*\*",
              "group": "external",
              "position": "before"
            }
          ],
          "pathGroupsExcludedImportTypes": ["react"],
          "newlines-between": "always"
        }
      ]
    }
  };
  </pre>
  

 

Customizing the Cursor AI Environment

 

• Cursor AI may require specific configuration options to limit suggestions. Consult Cursor AI's documentation for configuration instructions.
• Integrate any available exclusion lists or custom filters within Cursor AI to prioritize Material-UI components.
• Verify settings by observing the suggestions and ensuring they align with Material-UI first practices.

 

Testing AI Suggestions for Material-UI Exclusivity

 

• Write simple component code that might involve UI components to see if the AI suggests Material-UI components.
• Example: Invoke the AI to suggest a button component. It should recommend Button from Material-UI.

  <pre>
  import React from 'react';
  import Button from '@mui/material/Button';
  
  function App() {
    return (
      <div>
        <Button variant="contained" color="primary">
          Primary
        </Button>
      </div>
    );
  }
  
  export default App;
  </pre>
  

• If Cursor AI suggests non-Material-UI components, recheck your configuration and imposed ESLint rules.

 

Iterative Refinement

 

• Regularly review the project's AI suggestions to ensure compliance with the Material-UI restriction.
• Update configurations, rules, and Cursor AI's settings as necessary to keep suggestions aligned.
• Collaborate with team members to enhance the setup and refine configuration based on practical feedback.

 

By carefully configuring and leveraging tools like ESLint along with Cursor AI's settings, you can effectively funnel AI coding suggestions toward the desired UI library, ensuring consistent design language and branding across your React projects.