As a frontend developer, your portfolio is more than just a website — it’s your digital identity. It shows how you think, how you design, and how you build. For a long time, I kept postponing mine. Not because I didn’t know how to code, but because I wanted it to be perfect. Eventually, I decided to take a different approach and used Cursor AI to build my portfolio website faster, smarter, and with much less stress.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through exactly how I used Cursor, how it helped me as a developer, what worked well, what didn’t, and why I think Cursor is one of the best AI tools for developers today.
Why I Chose Cursor AI
I had already experimented with tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot, but Cursor felt different. Cursor is not just an AI chat tool — it’s a full AI-powered code editor built on top of VS Code.
Here’s why I picked Cursor for my portfolio project:
- It understands entire project context
- It edits code directly inside files
- It explains code like a mentor
- It saves a huge amount of time
As someone who already had frontend experience, I didn’t want an AI to “do everything for me.” I wanted an assistant — and Cursor fit that role perfectly.
Planning My Portfolio Website
Before touching any code, I planned the structure of my portfolio. Using Cursor’s chat panel, I described what I wanted in simple language:
- A clean, modern UI
- Responsive layout
- Sections for:
- Hero / Introduction
- Skills
- Projects
- Experience
- Contact
Instead of jumping straight into coding, I asked Cursor questions like:
“What sections should a modern frontend developer portfolio have?”
Cursor responded with a clear, industry-standard layout, which helped me avoid overcomplicating things.
Setting Up the Tech Stack with Cursor
I decided to use:
- React
- Tailwind CSS
- Vite
I asked Cursor to guide me step-by-step instead of pasting random boilerplate. This was a big win.
For example, when I typed:
“Set up a React + Tailwind project using Vite”
Cursor didn’t just give commands — it explained:
- Why Vite is fast
- How Tailwind integrates
- Where configuration files matter
This helped me understand the setup instead of blindly following instructions.
Building Components Faster (But Smarter)
This is where Cursor really shined.
When creating components like Navbar, Hero, or Projects, I wrote basic structure myself, then used Cursor to improve it.
For example:
- I wrote a simple Navbar
- Asked Cursor to:
- Improve accessibility
- Make it responsive
- Add mobile menu logic
Cursor edited the code inline, and I could review every change. This felt like pair programming with a senior developer.
Styling with Tailwind Using Cursor
ailwind CSS is powerful, but sometimes verbose. Cursor made it much easier.
Instead of searching Google for layouts, I’d write comments like:
// Create a responsive grid for project cards
Cursor instantly generated Tailwind classes that:
- Worked on all screen sizes
- Followed clean spacing rules
- Looked modern without overdesigning
This saved hours of trial and error.
Debugging and Refactoring Made Easy
One underrated benefit of Cursor is debugging.
When something broke:
- I selected the problematic code
- Asked Cursor: “Why is this component re-rendering unnecessarily?”
Cursor analyzed the code and pointed out:
- State misuse
- Missing dependency arrays
- Optimization tips
Instead of frustration, debugging became a learning experience.
Writing Better Content with Cursor
A portfolio isn’t just code — it’s also content.
I used Cursor to:
- Improve project descriptions
- Rewrite my “About Me” section professionally
- Make my skills sound impactful (without exaggeration)
For example:
“Rewrite this About Me section in a professional frontend developer tone”
The output felt natural, clear, and confident — exactly what recruiters look for.
SEO and Performance Suggestions
I also asked Cursor for:
- SEO tips for portfolio websites
- Lighthouse performance improvements
- Accessibility best practices
Cursor suggested:
- Proper heading hierarchy
- Meta tags
- Lazy loading images
- Semantic HTML
These are things many developers ignore, but they make a huge difference.
What Cursor Did NOT Do (And That’s Good)
Cursor didn’t magically make decisions for me — and that’s a good thing.
- I still designed the layout
- I still chose what projects to show
- I still controlled the final output
Cursor acted as:
- A fast assistant
- A mentor
- A second brain
Not a replacement.
Final Result and Deployment
Once everything was ready, I deployed my portfolio using Vercel. Cursor even helped me:
- Fix build errors
- Optimize bundle size
- Set environment configs
The final website:
- Loaded fast
- Looked clean
- Worked perfectly on mobile
- Represented me accurately as a developer
What I Learned from This Experience
Using Cursor taught me a few important lessons:
- AI is a productivity multiplier, not a shortcut
- Knowing fundamentals makes AI tools far more powerful
- Writing clear prompts is a skill
- You still need to think like a developer
Instead of replacing my skills, Cursor enhanced them.
Would I Recommend Cursor?
Absolutely — especially for:
- Frontend developers
- Students
- Solo developers
- Anyone building real projects
If you already know some coding, Cursor can easily make you 2–3x more productive.
Final Thoughts
Building my portfolio with Cursor AI was one of the best development experiences I’ve had. It reduced friction, improved quality, and helped me learn faster — all while keeping me in control.
If you’ve been delaying your portfolio or struggling to polish it, try Cursor. Use it as a partner, not a crutch — and you’ll be surprised how much better your work becomes.