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How to Use Privacy Mode in Cursor: Protecting Sensitive Code

Privacy Mode in Cursor allows you to work with sensitive code while still benefiting from AI assistance. This guide explains how to enable and use Privacy Mode effectively.

Understanding Privacy Mode​

What is Privacy Mode?​

Privacy Mode is a feature that:

  • Prevents sensitive code from being sent to AI servers
  • Maintains local-only processing for selected files
  • Allows selective AI assistance for non-sensitive code

Enabling Privacy Mode​

Global Privacy Settings​

  1. Open Cursor Settings
  2. Navigate to AI & Privacy section
  3. Enable "Privacy Mode"
  4. Configure privacy preferences:
    • Select files to exclude
    • Choose privacy level
    • Set data handling rules

Project-Specific Settings​

  1. Create .cursorignore file in project root
  2. Add patterns for sensitive files:
# Sensitive files
*.env
*secret*
credentials/*

# Private directories
private/*
sensitive/*

Using Privacy Mode​

File-Level Privacy​

  1. Mark Files as Private

    • Right-click file in explorer
    • Select "Mark as Private"
    • File will be excluded from AI processing

  2. Temporary Privacy

    • Use @private comment in code
    • Select code blocks for privacy
    • Toggle privacy for specific sessions

Directory-Level Privacy​

  1. Configure Directory Privacy

    {
      "privacy.excludedDirectories": [
        "src/secrets",
        "config/private"
      ]
    }

  2. Inheritance Rules

    • Subdirectories inherit privacy settings
    • Can be overridden per directory
    • Settings cascade down

Privacy Features​

Code Handling​

  1. Local Processing

    • Code stays on your machine
    • No external API calls
    • Secure completion suggestions

  2. Selective AI Usage

    • Choose when to use AI
    • Control data sharing
    • Maintain security boundaries

Data Protection​

  1. Sensitive Information

    • API keys protected
    • Credentials secured
    • Personal data safeguarded

  2. Compliance Support

    • GDPR compliance
    • HIPAA compatibility
    • Corporate security policies

Best Practices​

Security Guidelines​

  1. File Organization

    • Separate sensitive files
    • Use clear naming conventions
    • Maintain privacy documentation

  2. Code Structure

    • Isolate sensitive code
    • Use environment variables
    • Implement secure patterns

Workflow Integration​

  1. Development Process

    • Plan privacy requirements
    • Review privacy settings
    • Regular security audits

  2. Team Collaboration

    • Share privacy guidelines
    • Document protected areas
    • Maintain consistency

Troubleshooting​

Common Issues​

  1. Privacy Mode Not Working

    • Verify settings
    • Check file patterns
    • Restart Cursor

  2. AI Features Limited

    • Confirm privacy scope
    • Adjust settings if needed
    • Balance privacy and functionality

  3. Configuration Conflicts

    • Review .cursorignore
    • Check global settings
    • Resolve pattern conflicts

Advanced Configuration​

Custom Privacy Rules​

{
  "privacy.rules": [
    {
      "pattern": "**/*.key",
      "level": "strict"
    },
    {
      "pattern": "src/public/**",
      "level": "normal"
    }
  ]
}

Integration with Security Tools​

  1. Git Integration

    # Add to .gitignore
    .cursor-private/
    *.private.json

  2. CI/CD Pipeline

    • Respect privacy settings
    • Skip sensitive files
    • Maintain security checks

Conclusion​

Privacy Mode is essential for protecting sensitive code while using Cursor's AI features. Proper configuration and understanding of privacy settings ensure secure development.

Last updated: February 2025 - This guide covers Cursor version 0.43 and later.