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Which AI agent files work with Cursor, Claude Code, and Codex?

Use AGENTS.md for shared project instructions, CLAUDE.md for Claude Code, Cursor project rules for Cursor, Agent Skills for reusable tasks, and MCP setup for tool connections.

Last checked: 25 September 2026.

Quick comparison

Which file works where?

File or setupWhat it doesCursorClaude CodeCodexCan a team share it?
AGENTS.mdProject instructions written as a normal text file.Supported in the project root and in subfolders (nested AGENTS.md files).Read by Claude Code v2.1.277 and later when the project has no CLAUDE.md or CLAUDE.local.md. If you keep a CLAUDE.md, import it with @AGENTS.md.Supported. Instructions can apply to a folder and its subfolders.Yes. Keep it in Git with the project. AIPM does not install AGENTS.md.
CLAUDE.mdInstructions that Claude Code reads in every work session.Not the main Cursor rules format.Supported. Best for facts and rules that should always be available.Use AGENTS.md instead for Codex.Yes. Keep the project file in Git. AIPM does not install CLAUDE.md.
Cursor project rulesCursor-only instructions that can apply to certain files or tasks.Supported in the .cursor/rules folder.Not a Claude Code format.Not a Codex format.Yes. Keep the .cursor/rules folder in Git. AIPM does not install Cursor rules.
Agent SkillA reusable task, guide, or set of steps stored with a SKILL.md file.Supported. Cursor loads skills from .cursor/skills and .agents/skills, and also reads .claude/skills and .codex/skills. AIPM's --target cursor writes .cursor/skills/<skill>/SKILL.md.Supported in .claude/skills. Claude can choose a skill or you can start it with a slash command. AIPM --target claude writes .claude/skills/<skill>/SKILL.md.Supported in .agents/skills. Codex can choose a skill or use one named by the user. AIPM --target codex writes .agents/skills/<skill>/SKILL.md.Yes. AIPM installs the same pinned skill version in several projects.
MCP setupSettings that connect an AI tool to another tool or source of information.Supported through Cursor MCP settings.Supported through Claude Code MCP settings.Support depends on the Codex product and current setup.Share safe settings and instructions in Git. Never share passwords or private tokens. AIPM does not install MCP config today.

AI tools change quickly. Use the source links below to check a detail before making a large team change.

Simple choice

Use AGENTS.md when several coding agents need the same basic project instructions. Claude Code reads it too (v2.1.277 and later) when there is no CLAUDE.md; see does Claude Code read AGENTS.md?

Use CLAUDE.md for instructions that only Claude Code needs.

Use Cursor project rules when Cursor needs rules for certain files or tasks.

Use a skill when you want the AI to repeat a useful task.

Use MCP when the AI needs to connect to another tool or source of information.

How AIPM helps

AIPM does not replace these files and does not install AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, Cursor rules, or MCP config. It installs and updates versioned Agent Skills: --target claude writes .claude/skills/<skill>/SKILL.md and --target codex writes .agents/skills/<skill>/SKILL.md, and Cursor loads both. Start with the use guide or read how to share instructions across projects.

Primary sources

Components of an AI agent

Understand how models, instructions, memory, tools, actions, and safety controls work together.

Compare instruction files

Learn what AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, and Cursor rules are for.

Claude skills and commands

See how Claude Code skills and slash commands work together.

MCP safety checklist

Set up MCP connections without sharing private values.