My Claude + Cursor workflow

Dec 15, 2024

Workflow

  • Start with requirements analysis
    • using Claude to debate about design and approach
    • ~25% of project time, human led
  • Break into small tasks and use TDD loop
    • plan → write tests → pass tests
    • ~50% of project time, AI led
  • Finish with functional testing to ensure requirements are met
    • ~25% of project time, human led

Tool of Choice & Techniques

  • Cursor IDE: for inline edits
  • Claude Code: for agentic coding
    • Claude.md: add requirements, decisions, style guide
    • Plan mode: with "think hard" for more complex decisions
    • Expert agents: for code review and design critique

Challenges & Solutions

  • To avoid going over context window
    • break into self contained tasks, /clear Claude and regurgitate task req
  • To avoid untrackable edits
    • disallow edit/bash permissions, review before accepting, use git
  • To avoid over engineering
    • use TDD and "implement minimum needed to pass tests"

My philosophy

  • Must understand requirements clearly before AI can help
  • Measure twice, cut once - spend more time on planning phase
  • Merely a pair programmer, need to know best practices to be able to guide