Which AI coding assistant has the best configuration options?

Claude Code and Cursor offer the most comprehensive configuration options. Claude Code uses CLAUDE.md with support for hierarchical files and skills, while Cursor offers .cursorrules plus advanced project rules with glob patterns and activation modes.

Can I use multiple AI coding assistants in one project?

Yes, many developers use multiple AI tools together. You can have CLAUDE.md, .cursorrules, and copilot-instructions.md in the same project - each tool reads its own config file. Tools like ClaudeMDEditor help manage all these files.

Do these config files work across different IDEs?

Most config files are tool-specific. .cursorrules only works with Cursor, CLAUDE.md only with Claude Code, etc. However, MCP (.mcp.json) is designed as a cross-tool standard for extending AI capabilities.

How do I migrate from one AI coding tool to another?

While there's no automatic migration, the concepts are similar across tools. You can manually adapt your rules - the main differences are file format and location, not the content structure.

What's the best format for AI coding instructions?

All major tools use markdown or plain text with similar best practices: be concise, use bullet points, be specific about your tech stack, and include examples. The format matters less than the clarity of your instructions.

Are there any universal AI coding config standards?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is emerging as a cross-tool standard for AI capabilities. AGENTS.md is also gaining adoption across multiple tools. However, most configuration remains tool-specific.

Which AI coding tool is best for React development?

All major tools handle React well. Cursor is popular for its inline editing, Claude Code for complex refactoring, and Copilot for its GitHub integration. The best choice depends on your workflow preferences.

Can I share configs between team members?

Yes, all these config files can be committed to git and shared with your team. This is the recommended approach for ensuring consistent AI behavior across team members.

Comparison Guide

AI Coding Assistant Configuration Comparison

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Compare CLAUDE.md, .cursorrules, copilot-instructions.md, and configuration files for all major AI coding tools. Find the right format for your workflow.

Quick Comparison Table

Tool	Config File	Location	Format	Best For
Claude CodeAnthropic	CLAUDE.md	Project root	Markdown	Complex refactoring, architectural decisions, deep reasoning
CursorCursor Inc.	.cursorrules	Project root or .cursor/rules/	Plain text / MDC	Flow-state coding, inline edits, full IDE experience
GitHub CopilotGitHub / Microsoft	copilot-instructions.md	.github/	Markdown	Quick completions, GitHub integration, enterprise teams
WindsurfCodeium (OpenAI)	.windsurfrules	Project root or .windsurf/rules/	Markdown	Autonomous agents, multi-step tasks, Cascade workflows
Gemini CLIGoogle	GEMINI.md	Project root or ~/.gemini/	Markdown	Google ecosystem, Android development, large context
AiderOpen Source	CONVENTIONS.md	Project root	Markdown	Terminal workflows, model flexibility, open source projects

Claude CodeCLAUDE.md

Key Features

Hierarchical files
Skills system
AGENTS.md support
Global + local configs

Details

Company: Anthropic

Format: Markdown

Location: Project root

Read the CLAUDE.md guide

Cursor.cursorrules

Key Features

Glob patterns
Activation modes
Project rules
User rules

Details

Company: Cursor Inc.

Format: Plain text / MDC

Location: Project root or .cursor/rules/

Read the .cursorrules guide

GitHub Copilotcopilot-instructions.md

Key Features

Path-specific rules
Organization rules
Code review integration

Details

Company: GitHub / Microsoft

Format: Markdown

Location: .github/

Read the copilot-instructions.md guide

Windsurf.windsurfrules

Key Features

Cascade memories
Global rules
Workspace rules
Activation modes

Details

Company: Codeium (OpenAI)

Format: Markdown

Location: Project root or .windsurf/rules/

Read the .windsurfrules guide

Gemini CLIGEMINI.md

Key Features

Hierarchical loading
Memory commands
AGENTS.md fallback

Details

Company: Google

Format: Markdown

Location: Project root or ~/.gemini/

Read the GEMINI.md guide

AiderCONVENTIONS.md

Key Features

YAML config
Model agnostic
Web scraping
Voice coding

Details

Company: Open Source

Format: Markdown

Location: Project root

Read the CONVENTIONS.md guide

Model Context Protocol (MCP).mcp.json

MCP is an emerging open standard for extending AI capabilities across tools. Unlike tool-specific config files, MCP provides a universal way to connect AI assistants to external data sources and tools.

Cross-Tool Compatibility

MCP is supported by Cursor, Claude Desktop, VS Code, and other tools. It's the closest thing to a universal AI configuration standard.

Read the .mcp.json guide

Which AI Coding Tool Should You Use?

For Individual Developers

Cursor for daily coding with seamless inline editing. Claude Code for complex refactoring and architectural decisions. Many developers use both.

For Teams

GitHub Copilot for GitHub-centric workflows and enterprise compliance. Cursor Business for teams wanting a full IDE experience.

For Enterprise

GitHub Copilot Enterprise for compliance and centralized management. Consider Augment or Amazon Q for specific cloud integrations.

Using Multiple AI Coding Tools Together

As of 2026, over 26% of developers use multiple AI coding tools together. The winning strategy isn't picking one tool religiously — it's using the right tool for each situation.

A common workflow: Cursor for writing and editing, Claude Code for thinking through complex problems, and Copilot for quick completions in VS Code.

Managing config files across all these tools can get messy. That's where tools like ClaudeMDEditor come in — one visual editor for all your AI coding assistant configurations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Manage All Your AI Config Files in One Place

ClaudeMDEditor handles CLAUDE.md, .cursorrules, copilot-instructions.md, .windsurfrules, GEMINI.md, and .mcp.json — all from one visual interface.

Claude CodeCursorCopilotWindsurfGeminiCodexAider

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