IDE & Agent Configuration Feature Matrix
Compare how each AI coding assistant ingests, activates, and enforces behavioral rules during development.
| Feature | Cursor | Claude Code | Windsurf | Codex / Cline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration File | .cursor/rules/*.mdc | CLAUDE.md | .windsurfrules | AGENTS.md / CODEX.md |
| Scope Mechanism | Glob patterns (e.g. app/**/*.{ts,tsx}) | Workspace root + sub-package hierarchy | Workspace root + Cascade memory | System prompt + turn-by-turn bounds |
| Activation Model | Dynamic semantic file match | Session start root ingestion | Continuous Cascade tracking | Task initialization directive |
| Context Overhead | Ultra-low (<150 tokens/rule via globs) | Consolidated structured markdown | Compact multi-file invariant lines | Modular directive blocks |
| Multi-File Refactor | Composer agent scoped changes | CLI tool-use verification loops | Cascade multi-file flow state | Subagent / autonomous executor |
| 1-Click CLI Export | npx agentrules-cli export --client cursor | npx agentrules-cli export --client claude-code | npx agentrules-cli export --client windsurf | npx agentrules-cli export --client codex |
Multi-Client Unified CLI Exporter
Export rules directly into any client from your terminal with the zero-dependency AgentRules CLI.
npx agentrules-cli export --all-clients