A rule meant to auto-attach for both `.md` and `.mdx` files under `docs/` never attaches to anything. How should the two patterns be written in the rule's `globs` field?

Easycursorrulesglobsfrontmatterauto-attach

Last reviewed 21 Aug 2026

As a YAML list, with each pattern on its own line beneath a dash marker.
As a single field with the patterns separated by commas, such as `docs/**/*.md, docs/**/*.mdx`.Correct answer
Separated by spaces on one line, the way arguments are passed to a shell command.
As a brace expansion in one pattern, which the rules system expands into the separate globs.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B. As a single field with the patterns separated by commas, such as `docs/**/*.md, docs/**/*.mdx`.

Explanation

The principle — The globs field takes its patterns on a single line, and multiple patterns are separated with commas.

Why the key is correct — Writing docs/**/*.md, docs/**/*.mdx scopes the rule to both extensions under docs/, so it auto-attaches whenever a matching file is in context. A value Cursor cannot read as a pattern list matches nothing, and a rule matching nothing never attaches, which sends the author off to debug their prompt when the fault is in the frontmatter.

Why the others are wrong — A dashed YAML sequence looks idiomatic in frontmatter but is the wrong shape for this field. Space separation is shell habit rather than the syntax here. Brace expansion is a shell feature too, and it leaves the scoping to a mechanism the rules system is not using.

Remember this — One line, patterns separated by commas.

Sources — Cursor's Rules documentation.

Sources

Primary sourceRules — Cursor · accessed 19 Aug 2026
“Separate multiple patterns with commas.”

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A rule meant to auto-attach for both `.md` and `.mdx` files under `docs/` never attaches to anything. How should the two patterns be written in the rule's `globs` field?

Easycursorrulesglobsfrontmatterauto-attach

Last reviewed 21 Aug 2026

As a YAML list, with each pattern on its own line beneath a dash marker.
As a single field with the patterns separated by commas, such as `docs/**/*.md, docs/**/*.mdx`.Correct answer
Separated by spaces on one line, the way arguments are passed to a shell command.
As a brace expansion in one pattern, which the rules system expands into the separate globs.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B. As a single field with the patterns separated by commas, such as `docs/**/*.md, docs/**/*.mdx`.

Explanation

The principle — The globs field takes its patterns on a single line, and multiple patterns are separated with commas.

Remember this — One line, patterns separated by commas.

Sources — Cursor's Rules documentation.

Sources

Primary sourceRules — Cursor · accessed 19 Aug 2026
“Separate multiple patterns with commas.”

Practise 10 questions on this topic

Take Cursor Basics — Timed Test 1 (10 questions) — scored instantly, explanation for every question, no login.

Start the test

A rule meant to auto-attach for both `.md` and `.mdx` files under `docs/` never attaches to anything. How should the two patterns be written in the rule's `globs` field?

Related questions

A rule meant to auto-attach for both `.md` and `.mdx` files under `docs/` never attaches to anything. How should the two patterns be written in the rule's `globs` field?

Related questions