Environment Setup Skill
Use this skill for first-time setup of your development environment.
Phase 1: Core Development Tools
Verify these are installed:
- • Cursor IDE (latest version)
- • GitHub Desktop
- • Docker
- • TablePlus (database GUI)
- • Figma Desktop App - https://www.figma.com/downloads/
- • Screen.studio (optional, for demos)
- • Google Cloud SDK (only for admins)
Phase 2: Repository Setup
- •Clone the repository
- •Run
npm installin monorepo root - •Start Docker:
docker-compose up -d - •Run migrations:
npm run migrate - •Seed database:
npm run seed
Phase 2.5: Pattern Resources Orientation
Familiarize yourself with design resources:
- •Read
/docs/pattern-resources.md- External UI/UX references - •Read
/docs/design-system/folder - Internal tokens and guidelines - •Bookmark key competitor sites for your domain:
- •Mobbin - Real app screenshots
- •Page Flows - User flow recordings
- •Refactoring UI - Visual design principles
Phase 3: Environment Configuration
- •Copy
.env.exampleto.envin:- •
apps/api/.env - •
apps/web/.env
- •
- •Configure required variables
Phase 4: MCP Configuration
Installation Method: Manual (Recommended)
Cursor's UI auto-install can loop indefinitely. Edit ~/.cursor/mcp.json directly.
Complete mcp.json Template
Copy this to ~/.cursor/mcp.json and replace YOUR_* placeholders:
json
{
"mcpServers": {
"notion": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@notionhq/notion-mcp-server"],
"env": {
"OPENAPI_MCP_HEADERS": "{\"Authorization\": \"Bearer YOUR_NOTION_TOKEN\", \"Notion-Version\": \"2022-06-28\"}"
}
},
"n8n-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "supergateway", "--streamableHttp", "YOUR_N8N_URL/mcp-server/http", "--header", "authorization:Bearer YOUR_N8N_TOKEN"]
},
"context7": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@upstash/context7-mcp@latest"]
},
"figma": {
"url": "http://127.0.0.1:3845/mcp"
}
}
}
Authentication by MCP
| MCP | Auth Type | How to Get Token |
|---|---|---|
| Notion | API Token | notion.so/my-integrations > New integration > Copy token |
| n8n | Bearer Token | n8n instance > Settings > API > Create key |
| Context7 | None | Just works |
| Figma Desktop | None | Enable in Figma app Dev Mode (Shift+D) |
| Figma Remote | OAuth | Use "url": "https://mcp.figma.com/mcp", click Connect in Cursor |
| Browser | None | Built-in to Cursor |
Browser MCP (Built-in)
Browser MCP is built into Cursor and requires no setup. Use it for:
- •Taking screenshots of competitor apps during DIVERGE phase
- •Testing Storybook stories
- •E2E workflow verification
Tip: During feature exploration, navigate to competitor apps and use browser_take_screenshot to capture reference designs.
Troubleshooting
MCP won't install (infinite loop):
- •Cancel the operation (Cmd+C or close dialog)
- •Manually edit
~/.cursor/mcp.json - •Add the config block directly
- •Restart Cursor: Cmd+Shift+P > "Reload Window"
MCP shows disconnected:
- •Verify JSON syntax is valid (use jsonlint.com)
- •Check token is correct and not expired
- •For Figma: ensure desktop app is running with MCP enabled
Verification: After restart, list MCP folder to confirm all servers loaded:
bash
ls ~/.cursor/projects/*/mcps/
Phase 5: Cursor Settings
Configure in Cursor Settings:
- •Model: Claude Opus 4.5
- •Auto mode: Disabled
- •Completion sounds: Enabled
- •Usage summary: Always
Phase 6: Verification
Run these to verify setup:
- •
npm run dev- starts without errors - •
npm run typecheck- passes - •
npm run storybook- loads components
Completion
When all phases complete, you're ready to use:
- •
init [Notion URL]- Start a new feature - •
plan [feature]- Create implementation plan