How to create new project on Cursor

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Creating a new project in Cursor is simple: launch the IDE, click the File menu, select New Project or use Ctrl+Shift+N, choose your project type and location. Cursor will set up the project structure and open it in the editor automatically.

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Prerequisites

Cursor IDE installed on your computer
Basic understanding of file management
Programming language knowledge (optional)
Git installed (for version control)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Launch Cursor IDE

Open Cursor by clicking on the application icon or searching for it in your system's application launcher. Wait for the IDE to fully load and display the welcome screen.

Pin Cursor to your taskbar or dock for quick access to future projects.

Access the New Project Menu

Click on File in the top menu bar, then select New Project from the dropdown menu. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+N (Mac) to open the new project dialog.

You can also click the 'Create New Project' button on the welcome screen if it's displayed.

Select Project Template

In the New Project dialog, choose from available project templates such as:

Empty Project
JavaScript/TypeScript Project
Python Project
React Application
Next.js Project

Select the template that best fits your needs by clicking on it.

Start with an Empty Project if you're unsure about the specific framework you'll use.

Configure Project Details

Enter your project name in the Project Name field. Choose the project location by clicking the Browse button and selecting a folder on your computer. Optionally, configure additional settings like Git initialization or package manager preferences.

Use descriptive project names without spaces or special characters to avoid compatibility issues.

Set Up Version Control

Check the Initialize Git repository checkbox if you want version control for your project. You can also select options to create a .gitignore file and choose a license template from the dropdown menu.

Always initialize Git for projects you plan to share or collaborate on with others.

Review and Create Project

Review all your project settings in the summary panel. Verify the project name, location, template, and Git settings are correct. Click the Create Project button to generate your new project.

Open Project in Editor

Cursor will automatically create the project structure and open it in the main editor window. The File Explorer panel on the left will display your project files and folders. You can now start coding by creating new files or editing existing ones.

Use Ctrl+` to open the integrated terminal and run commands within your project directory.

Install Dependencies (if applicable)

If your project template includes a package.json, requirements.txt, or similar dependency file, open the integrated terminal and run the appropriate install command:
npm install for Node.js projects
pip install -r requirements.txt for Python projects

Cursor's AI assistant can help suggest the right commands for your specific project type.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

New Project option is grayed out or missing

Close any currently open projects first, then try accessing File > New Project. If the issue persists, restart Cursor and try again.

Cannot select project location or permission denied error

Choose a different folder location where you have write permissions, such as your Documents or Desktop folder. Avoid system directories or restricted folders.

Project template fails to load or create

Check your internet connection as some templates may require downloading. Try selecting a basic Empty Project template instead, or restart Cursor and try again.

Git initialization fails during project creation

Ensure Git is installed on your system and accessible from the command line. Uncheck the Git initialization option and set up version control manually later using git init in the terminal.

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