Starting-Documents: Manual AI-First Project Starter

A documentation-first starter kit for creating production-grade projects with Cursor AI and Claude Code through manual, step-by-step setup using copy-paste prompts and AI-optimized templates.

🎯 What Is This?

Starting-Documents is a meticulously organized collection of templates, guides, and prompts designed to help developers create production-ready applications using AI-assisted development. Unlike traditional boilerplates that give you code, this gives you a system - a repeatable, manual process for building any project with AI as your primary coding partner.

Core Philosophy

• Documentation First: Generate comprehensive docs before writing code
• Manual Setup: Copy-paste prompts over automation for flexibility
• AI-Optimized: Every file under 500 lines, functional patterns, clear naming
• Phase-Based Development: 6 structured phases from setup to production
• Context Persistent: Maintains AI understanding across sessions
• Stack Flexible: Core docs stay generic with stack-specific profiles

🗂️ Complete Project Structure

Starting-Documents/
├── 📄 Core Documentation
│   ├── README.md                # Original overview
│   ├── README2.md              # This file - comprehensive guide
│   ├── START-HERE.md           # Quick-start entry point
│   └── LICENSE                 # MIT license
│
├── 📁 01-templates/            # Ready-to-use document templates
│   ├── ai-config/             # AI assistant configuration
│   │   ├── CLAUDE.md          # Persistent context template
│   │   └── .cursor/rules/     # Modular rules system
│   ├── project-docs/          # Core documentation templates
│   ├── phases/                # Development phase checklists (0-5)
│   ├── checklists/            # Progress tracking templates
│   ├── adr/                   # Architecture Decision Records
│   └── project-skeleton/      # Example package.template.json
│
├── 📁 02-examples/             # Reference implementations
│   └── themes/                # Design system examples
│       └── TAN-THEME-RULES.md # Earthy minimalist theme
│
├── 📁 03-guides/               # How-to guides and workflows
│   ├── setup/                 # Configuration guides
│   │   ├── NEW-PROJECT-SETUP.md    # Manual setup (start here)
│   │   ├── DATABASE-OVERVIEW.md    # SQLite → Supabase
│   │   ├── DEPLOYMENT-GUIDE.md     # Vercel deployment
│   │   ├── MCP-SETUP-GUIDE.md      # Model Context Protocol
│   │   ├── SNYK-SETUP-GUIDE.md     # Security scanning
│   │   └── CURSOR-RULES-SETUP-GUIDE-2025.md
│   ├── workflow/              # Development workflows
│   │   ├── prompts/          # AI prompt templates
│   │   │   ├── PROMPTS-INITIAL-DOCS.md
│   │   │   ├── PROMPTS-PLANNING-TRACKING.md
│   │   │   └── PROMPTS-ADVANCED-MAINTENANCE.md
│   │   ├── experimental/     # Theoretical explorations
│   │   └── [workflow guides]
│   └── maintenance/          # Ongoing maintenance
│       ├── PROJECT-HISTORY-INS.md
│       ├── audits/          # Audit prompt templates
│       └── _archive/        # Archived plans
│
├── 📁 profiles/               # Stack-specific configurations
│   └── nextjs-react/         # Next.js/React notes
│
├── 📁 project_brainstorm/     # Your project ideas (empty starter)
│
└── 📄 Configuration Files
    ├── package.template.json  # Example package.json
    ├── .gitignore            # Git ignore rules
    ├── .prettierrc           # Code formatting config
    └── .editorconfig         # Editor configuration

📂 Detailed Folder Purposes

/01-templates/ - Your Building Blocks

/01-templates/ai-config/

AI assistant configuration templates for optimal performance:

• CLAUDE.md - Persistent memory template for Claude Code/Cursor sessions
• .cursor/ - Modern modular rules system
  • rules.mdc - Index file (NOT always-apply)
  • rules/000-core.mdc - Universal coding principles
  • rules/900-context.mdc - Context persistence rules
  • rules/modules/ - Optional domain-specific rules

/01-templates/project-docs/

Core documentation templates to define your project:

• PROJECT-OVERVIEW-TEMPLATE.md - Define purpose, goals, success metrics
• USER-FLOW-TEMPLATE.md - Map user journeys and interactions
• TECH-STACK-TEMPLATE.md - Document technology choices
• UI-RULES-TEMPLATE.md - UI/UX principles and patterns
• THEME-RULES-TEMPLATE.md - Design system and branding
• PROJECT-RULES-TEMPLATE.md - Code style and conventions
• API-RULES-TEMPLATE.md - API design patterns
• TESTING-RULES-TEMPLATE.md - Testing strategy and standards

/01-templates/phases/

Detailed development phase checklists (40-50 tasks each):

• phase-0-setup.md - Project initialization and configuration
• phase-0-claude-code.md - Claude-specific setup variant
• phase-0-cursor-claude.md - Dual-tool setup variant
• phase-1-frontend-foundation.md - UI components and layout
• phase-2-frontend-features.md - Interactive features
• phase-3-backend-sqlite.md - Database and API setup
• phase-4-testing-polish.md - Testing and refinement
• phase-5-production-supabase.md - Production deployment

/01-templates/checklists/

Progress tracking templates:

• KEY-FEATURES-TEMPLATE.md - Feature implementation tracking
• PAGES-URLS-TEMPLATE.md - Route and page status

/02-examples/ - Reference Implementations

/02-examples/themes/

Complete theme examples:

• TAN-THEME-RULES.md - Earthy, minimalist design system

/02-examples/project-brainstorm/

Example brainstorming documents (currently placeholder files)

/03-guides/ - How-To Guides

/03-guides/setup/

Configuration and setup guides:

• NEW-PROJECT-SETUP.md - Manual step-by-step project creation
• DATABASE-OVERVIEW.md - SQLite to Supabase migration path
• DEPLOYMENT-GUIDE.md - Vercel deployment with troubleshooting
• MCP-SETUP-GUIDE.md - Model Context Protocol for AI-DB operations
• SNYK-SETUP-GUIDE.md - Security scanning configuration
• CURSOR-RULES-SETUP-GUIDE-2025.md - Modern Cursor rules implementation

/03-guides/workflow/

Development workflow optimization:

• AI-WORKFLOW-OPTIMIZATION.md - 5-30x productivity techniques
• BEGINNER-TIPS.md - AI-first development for newcomers
• AI-Workflow-Combined.md - Integrated workflow strategies
• DUAL-AI-CHECKLIST-STRATEGY.md - Using multiple AI tools
• DUAL-AI-COORDINATION-GUIDE.md - Coordinating AI assistants
• CREW-AI-OVERVIEW.md - Multi-agent AI systems
• experimental/ - Theoretical explorations (e.g., Gemini CLI)

/03-guides/workflow/prompts/

Structured AI prompt templates:

• PROMPTS-INITIAL-DOCS.md - Generate core documentation
• PROMPTS-PLANNING-TRACKING.md - Create phase plans and checklists
• PROMPTS-ADVANCED-MAINTENANCE.md - Advanced features and maintenance

/03-guides/maintenance/

Ongoing project maintenance:

• PROJECT-HISTORY-INS.md - Context persistence across sessions
• _archive/ - Archived improvement plans

/profiles/ - Stack-Specific Configurations

/profiles/nextjs-react/

Next.js and React specific configurations and notes

/03-guides/maintenance/audits/ - Audit Prompts

• technical-production-audit.md - Pre-deployment technical audit
• content-documentation-audit.md - Documentation completeness check
• Midproject-check-1.md - Mid-project review template
• Midproject-check-2.md - Alternative review approach

🚀 Getting Started

Manual Documentation-First Approach

1. Start Here

   • Read START-HERE.md for overview
   • Review 03-guides/setup/NEW-PROJECT-SETUP.md for manual steps

2. Create Your Project Structure

   mkdir my-new-project
   cd my-new-project
   mkdir -p _docs/phases project_brainstorm .cursor/rules

3. Generate Core Documentation (Using AI)

   • Follow prompts in 03-guides/workflow/prompts/PROMPTS-INITIAL-DOCS.md
   • Create: project-overview.md, user-flow.md, tech-stack.md
   • Use templates from 01-templates/project-docs/ as guides

4. Set Up AI Configuration

   • Copy 01-templates/ai-config/.cursor/ to your project
   • Copy 01-templates/ai-config/CLAUDE.md to your project root
   • Customize for your specific needs

5. Plan Your Phases

   • Copy relevant phase templates from 01-templates/phases/
   • Customize checklists for your project
   • Start with Phase 0 (setup)

6. Begin Development

   • Work through phases sequentially
   • Update project-history.md every 5-10 file changes
   • Use AI with provided prompts for implementation

📋 Recommended Documentation Order

1. Brainstorm → project-overview.md
2. user-flow.md (end-to-end journeys)
3. tech-stack.md (with migration plan)
4. ui-rules.md + theme-rules.md
5. project-rules.md
6. Optional: api-rules.md, testing-rules.md, ADRs
7. Phases phase-0 through phase-5
8. AI rules (.cursor/rules/) + CLAUDE.md
9. Deployment & CI (optional)
10. project-history.md (continuous updates)

All prompts to create these are in 03-guides/setup/NEW-PROJECT-SETUP.md and 03-guides/workflow/prompts/.

📋 The 6-Phase Development Process

Phase 0: Setup & Configuration - Environment, tools, git setup
Phase 1: Frontend Foundation - Layout, navigation, design system
Phase 2: Frontend Features - Interactive components, state, forms
Phase 3: Backend Integration - SQLite database, API routes, auth
Phase 4: Testing & Polish - Tests, performance, accessibility
Phase 5: Production Deployment - Supabase migration, Vercel, monitoring

🔧 Key Configuration Files

package.template.json

Example package.json showing recommended dependencies and scripts

.cursor/rules.mdc System

Modern modular rules for Cursor AI:

• Index file with alwaysApply: false
• Core rules under 100 lines
• Context management rules
• Optional domain-specific modules

CLAUDE.md

Persistent context template maintaining:

• Project conventions
• Architecture decisions
• Recent changes
• Current status

🎯 Core Principles

1. Documentation First

Create comprehensive documentation before writing code. This ensures clarity, reduces rework, and provides excellent context for AI assistants.

2. AI-Optimized Structure

• Files under 500 lines for optimal AI processing
• Functional programming patterns
• Descriptive naming conventions
• Clear file organization

3. Context Persistence

• Update project-history.md every 5-10 file changes
• Maintain CLAUDE.md for session continuity
• Use modular Cursor rules to avoid context bloat

4. Progressive Enhancement

• Start with SQLite for rapid prototyping
• Migrate to Supabase when ready for production
• Use phases to manage complexity

5. Multi-Tool Workflow

• Use Cursor for implementation and refinement
• Use Claude Code for planning and architecture
• Coordinate through shared documentation

🛠️ Recommended Workflow

1. Morning Planning (When Sharp)

   • Review project documentation
   • Plan complex features
   • Update phase checklists

2. Afternoon Implementation (AI-Assisted)

   • Use Cursor Composer for multi-file changes
   • Let AI handle repetitive tasks
   • Focus on reviewing and guiding

3. Evening Cleanup

   • Update project-history.md
   • Run tests and linting
   • Commit changes with clear messages

💡 Quick Tips

For Beginners

• Start with BEGINNER-TIPS.md and START-HERE.md
• Focus on Phase 0 initially - don't rush ahead
• Use the TAN theme example as a starting point
• Ask AI to explain concepts with "As a beginner, explain..."

For Advanced Users

• Jump to AI-WORKFLOW-OPTIMIZATION.md for 5-30x productivity gains
• Explore CREW-AI-OVERVIEW.md for multi-agent workflows
• Create custom rule modules in .cursor/rules/modules/
• Add new stack profiles under /profiles/

🔄 Maintenance Cadence

• Every 5-10 file changes: Update project-history.md
• Weekly: Review and update CLAUDE.md
• Before deployment: Run audits from /03-guides/maintenance/audits/
• Monthly: Update dependencies and review phase progress

🤝 Contributing

Contributions welcome! Priority areas:

• Additional stack profiles (Python, Vue, Angular)
• More theme examples beyond TAN
• Template improvements (keep under 500 lines)
• Documentation fixes and clarifications

Follow 01-templates/project-docs/PROJECT-RULES-TEMPLATE.md when contributing. PRs should maintain the manual-first, documentation-driven approach.

📄 License

MIT License - See LICENSE file for details

Why This Approach Works

• Manual control - Copy-paste prompts give you flexibility over automation
• Documentation-first - Clear specs before code reduces rework
• AI-optimized structure - 500-line limit and functional patterns improve AI comprehension
• Context persistence - CLAUDE.md and project-history.md maintain understanding across sessions
• Phased development - Manageable progression from setup to production

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Last Updated: December 2024