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AI Coding • Next.js • Crypto APIs

Cursor & Crypto APIs

Solo devs: build faster with AI and real-time data

Overview

Solo developers can dramatically speed up their Next.js application development by leveraging AI-powered tools and up-to-date data sources. This guide explores advanced workflows in the Cursor AI code editor—inline chat, multi-file editing, prompt engineering—and how these features can turbocharge productivity. It also covers best practices for integrating free Crypto/Web3 APIs (for real-time crypto, Web3, and Bitcoin data) into a Next.js + TypeScript + Prisma stack, with practical tips and code snippets.

Cursor IDE Workflows for Solo Developers

Cursor is an "AI-first" IDE that integrates a powerful AI assistant directly into the coding workflow. Its features like inline AI prompts, context-aware chat, and multi-file edits allow a single developer to generate and refactor code quickly using natural language. Below, we detail how to maximize Cursor's capabilities in a Next.js/TypeScript/Prisma project.

Inline AI Prompting and Code Generation (Composer)

One of Cursor's core features is the Inline Composer (Cmd/Ctrl + K), which opens a prompt bar for generating or modifying code via natural language. You can describe a task in plain English and have Cursor write the code for you at the cursor location. For example, highlight a section and prompt: "Convert this callback-based function to async/await", or ask: "Write a Next.js API route that fetches Bitcoin prices from an API." Cursor will suggest code changes, visible in a diff view for review.

  • Be Specific: "Create a Prisma model for User with fields id, name, email (unique), createdAt timestamp" yields a precise schema.
  • Request Refactoring: "Optimize this query using Prisma transactions" returns an editable diff.
  • Instant Apply: Review and apply changes with one click—the "play" button merges the AI-generated diff into your codebase.
Prompt Example"Write a Next.js API route in /pages/api/prices.js that fetches the top 10 cryptocurrency prices from CoinGecko and stores them in our Prisma database."

AI Chat: In-IDE Assistant for Debugging and Q&A

Cursor provides an AI Chat panel (Cmd/Ctrl + L) where you can have a conversation with an AI that is aware of your codebase. This is extremely useful for debugging, getting explanations, or brainstorming implementation approaches without leaving the IDE. The chat is context-aware: it automatically includes the current file and even specific code you've selected in the conversation, so you can ask questions like, "Why am I getting a type error on this Prisma query?" and the AI will examine the code and respond with an explanation or fix suggestion.

TipSwitch to Agent mode (Cmd/Ctrl + I) to let Cursor perform multi-step code changes and even run commands for you, while you review each diff.
WorkflowUse inline Ctrl + K for quick edits, and Agent chat for multi-step or cross-file tasks. Highlight code or errors and open chat to include them as context.

Multi-File Context and Refactoring at Scale

Cursor's multi-file context awareness means the AI can understand your entire project structure, not just the file you're editing. You can explicitly bring other files into the conversation using @filename. Multi-file editing lets you apply a single instruction to multiple files at once, saving huge amounts of time on refactoring and consistency.

Example"Rename all occurrences of the Customer model to Client across the codebase." Cursor will search all files, prepare the changes, and let you review a multi-file diff before applying.
Pro TipUse Ctrl + Enter in chat to trigger a codebase-wide query, like "List all files where getServerSideProps is used."

Prompt Engineering Strategies in Cursor

  • Be Specific with Tasks: Break down complex tasks into clear, single-purpose prompts. E.g., "Generate a Next.js API route that returns the current Bitcoin price using CoinGecko API."
  • Use Step-by-Step Instructions: Guide the AI with ordered steps, e.g., "Write tests first, then implement the code to make those tests pass."
  • Leverage Project Context: Remind the AI of relevant context, libraries, or conventions in your prompt.
Prompt Templates
  • "Explain why I am getting [X error] in this file and suggest a fix."
  • "Refactor this function to be more modular and readable."
  • "Add JSDoc comments to the following function."
  • "Optimize the database calls in this API route for performance."
  • "Create a Prisma schema for a Post model with fields: id (string, ID), title (string), content (string), authorId (relation to User)."
Multi-Step FixesAsk Cursor's agent to iterate until done: "Run npm run build and fix any TypeScript errors, then repeat until the build passes."

Additional Cursor Features to Leverage

  • Autocompletion and Imports: AI-powered autocomplete generates multi-line code suggestions and auto-imports modules as you type.
  • AI-Generated Tests & Docs: Instantly generate unit tests and doc comments for your functions.
  • YOLO Mode (Autonomous Coding): Let the AI execute changes without manual approval for each diff—great for rapid prototyping (use with caution).
Pro TipEnable YOLO mode to let Cursor "just do it"—create files, run commands, and iterate until a goal is reached. Always use version control!

Summary of API Integration Tips

  • Choose the Right API: CoinGecko's free API is an excellent default for price data. For broader info, consider CryptoCompare or blockchain.com for network data.
  • Avoid Overuse: Respect rate limits and use server-side caching and revalidation.
  • Secure Your Keys: Keep API keys in .env and never push them to git or expose them client-side.
  • Test and Handle Errors: Always handle fetch failures and validate external data before saving.
  • Stay Updated: The crypto world evolves quickly—keep an eye on API docs and use Cursor's web search for alternatives if needed.

Current Cursor Instructions

# ─── Core Architecture ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- USE Next.js 14+, React functional components (TSX), strict TypeScript, and Prisma ORM (db code in /lib/db).
- FOLLOW atomic-design folders (atoms/ molecules/ organisms/ templates/ pages); separate presentation, logic, data.
- ENFORCE progressive-enhancement: site must render core content without JS; layer JS features afterward.
- WRITE semantic HTML5 + ARIA; meet WCAG 2.1 AA.

# ─── Styling & Design System ────────────────────────────────────────────────
- STYLE with styled-components; expose theme + design-tokens (colors, spacing, typography) via ThemeProvider.
- DEFINE mobile-first breakpoints: 375 px, 768 px, 1024 px, 1440 px.
- EXPORT critical CSS above-the-fold; lazy-load non-critical styles.

# ─── Performance Targets ───────────────────────────────────────────────────
- HIT Lighthouse ≥ 90; Core Web Vitals LCP < 2.5 s, INP/FID < 100 ms, CLS < 0.1, TTFB < 200 ms.
- SPLIT code with dynamic imports + route-based chunking; enable React.lazy + Suspense where possible.
- LAZY-LOAD below-the-fold images; serve AVIF/WEBP; generate <source> sets automatically.
- ADD resource hints (preconnect, preload hero assets, dns-prefetch APIs); apply immutable cache-control headers.

# ─── Conversion UX ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- USE F- or Z-pattern hierarchy; primary CTA ≥ 60 px touch area, contrast ≥ 3:1.
- PROVIDE inline form validation + real-time feedback; microcopy next to inputs.
- ANIMATE key conversion elements with Intersection Observer; 200 ms ease-out, prefers-reduced-motion respected.
- SHOW social-proof blocks with quantifiable metrics (e.g., "10 k users").

# ─── Analytics & Tracking ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
- FIRE event-based tracking (GA4) for every user interaction; define micro vs. macro funnels.
- HANDLE UTMs server-side; enable cross-domain + enhanced ecommerce where relevant.

# ─── Security Hardening ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- SET strict Content-Security-Policy, X-Frame-Options, HSTS, and granular CORS allowlist.
- SANITIZE & validate all inputs; enable CSRF tokens; RATE-LIMIT form posts (≤ 5/min/IP).

# ─── SEO Essentials ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ADD canonical <link>, meta tags, and JSON-LD (Website, Organization, Product).
- AUTO-GENERATE sitemap.xml (lastmod) & robots.txt; maintain h1-h6 hierarchy.

# ─── Deployment / CI-CD ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ISOLATE env vars (local | staging | prod); secrets via Vercel.
- RUN pre-commit lint, test, type-check; fail pipeline on error.
- OPTIMIZE build: tree-shaking, source-map-extraction, bundle-analyzer when NODE_ENV=analyze.
- LOG errors to Sentry; configure 308 redirects for legacy URLs.

# ─── Crypto / Web3 Data Layer ──────────────────────────────────────────────
- FETCH live crypto prices & news from CoinGecko (no-key) or CryptoCompare/NewsData (key) in server routes.
- CACHE responses in Prisma; revalidate ISR pages every 60 s.
- EXPOSE /api/prices & /api/news endpoints; front-end consumes via SWR.

# ─── Deliverables ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- DOCUMENT exported functions with JSDoc/TSdoc; auto-generate typed API docs.
- INCLUDE README (setup, env vars, architecture rationale), Lighthouse report, breakpoint screenshots.