Source URL: https://simonwillison.net/2025/Jan/4/llms-and-cursor/#atom-everything
Source: Simon Willison’s Weblog
Title: Using LLMs and Cursor to become a finisher
Feedly Summary: Using LLMs and Cursor to become a finisher
Zohaib Rauf describes a pattern I’ve seen quite a few examples of now: engineers who moved into management but now find themselves able to ship working code again (at least for their side projects) thanks to the productivity boost they get from leaning on LLMs.
Zohaib also provides a very useful detailed example of how they use a combination of ChatGPT and Cursor to work on projects, by starting with a spec created through collaboration with o1, then saving that as a SPEC.md Markdown file and adding that to Cursor’s context in order to work on the actual implementation.
Via Hacker News
Tags: productivity, o1, ai-assisted-programming, generative-ai, chatgpt, ai, llms
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text discusses the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT into engineering practices, highlighting how these tools enhance productivity for tech professionals transitioning into management roles. It specifically explores the use of Cursor in conjunction with LLMs to streamline code implementation based on predefined specifications.
Detailed Description: The content exemplifies the growing trend of utilizing AI to boost productivity in software development, particularly for professionals who may not be deeply involved in coding. The author’s insights into using LLMs suggest a significant shift in how coding and project management intersect.
– **Engineers in Management**: There is a notable pattern of engineers transitioning into management roles finding ways to remain engaged with coding through the aid of AI tools like LLMs.
– **Productivity Enhancement**: The use of LLMs is noted for its substantial productivity boost, allowing individuals to create functioning code for their projects.
– **Specific Tools**:
– **ChatGPT**: Being utilized for generating code or assisting in writing specifications.
– **Cursor**: A tool that facilitates the coding process, allowing for the integration of contextual information (like SPEC.md files) to guide code implementation.
– **Process Overview**:
– Collaboration with o1 to generate a project specification.
– Storing the specification in Markdown format for future reference and use within Cursor.
– Employing Cursor to build out the actual implementation based on the specified requirements.
This narrative addresses key elements pertinent to AI, productivity, and software development, illustrating the practical implications of adopting LLMs to bridge the gap between management and coding for tech professionals. The agility provided by these tools can be particularly beneficial in fast-paced development environments, supporting ongoing innovation and efficiency.