multicorn

Lesson 1 of 6

Installing Cursor and your first project

Download Cursor, install Node.js so you can run tests later, open the built-in terminal, and create your first project folder and file.

12 min read

By the end: Cursor is installed, Node.js runs on your machine, and you have a project folder open with a simple HTML file.

What you are doing

You are setting up Cursor, a code editor with AI built in. Think of it like a word processor for software: you type, you open files, and you can ask an AI assistant to help right inside the same window.

You will also install Node.js. Node is a free runtime that lets your computer run JavaScript outside the browser. You need it later when you run automated tests. Installing it now means you will not hit a wall in Lesson 5.

What you need

  • A Mac, Windows PC, or Linux machine
  • An internet connection
  • An email address to sign up for Cursor (free tier is enough to start)

Install Node.js

Node.js ships with npm (Node Package Manager), a small tool that downloads libraries and runs test commands for many web projects.

  1. Open https://nodejs.org in your browser.
  2. Download the LTS version (long-term support). That is the stable build most tutorials assume.
  3. Run the installer and accept the defaults.

Check that Node works

You will use Cursor's integrated terminal so everything stays in one app.

  1. Open Cursor.
  2. Open the integrated terminal: on Mac press Ctrl + ` (Control + backtick) or use the menu Terminal > New Terminal. On Windows the same shortcut usually works; if not, look under View for Terminal.
  3. Type node -v and press Enter. You should see a version number like v22.x.x.
  4. Type npm -v and press Enter. You should see another version number.

If either command says "not found," quit Cursor, finish the Node install, then try again.

Install Cursor

  1. Go to https://cursor.com and download the app for your system.
  2. Install it like any other desktop app.
  3. Open Cursor and sign in or create an account when asked.

Create your first project

A project is just a folder on your computer that holds all the files for one app.

  1. In Cursor, choose File > Open Folder (or Open... on some versions).
  2. Create a new empty folder named something like my-first-app and select it.
  3. You should see an empty file tree on the side. That sidebar is your map of the project.

Add your first file

  1. Right-click in the file tree (or use the New File button) and create a file named index.html.
  2. Open index.html and type this exactly:
html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
  <head>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
    <title>My first page</title>
  </head>
  <body>
    <h1>Hello from my first project</h1>
  </body>
</html>
  1. Save the file (Cmd + S on Mac, Ctrl + S on Windows).

You do not need to "run" this file yet. The point is to prove you can create and save something inside Cursor.

Where you are now

You have Cursor open on a real folder, Node and npm working in the integrated terminal, and a tiny HTML file saved. That is enough to start asking the AI for help in the next lesson.

Next: Your first prompt

Your progress saves in this browser only. Clearing site data will reset it.