# Cursor Hooks

Akto Guardrails for Cursor provides comprehensive security monitoring and validation for both **chat interactions** and **MCP tool executions**. It intercepts all agent operations, validates against security policies, blocks risky behavior, and reports events to your Akto dashboard.

## Key Features

* ✅ **Zero Installation** - No standalone apps or packages to install
* ✅ **Comprehensive Coverage** - Monitors both chat prompts/responses and MCP requests/responses
* ✅ **Transparent Integration** - Uses Cursor's native hook mechanism
* ✅ **Real-time Protection** - Intercepts every interaction before execution
* ✅ **Centralized Monitoring** - All events reported to Akto dashboard
* ✅ **Flexible Deployment** - Supports both Argus and Atlas modes

## How It Works

Cursor's hook system executes custom scripts at four critical points:

{% @mermaid/diagram content="sequenceDiagram
autonumber
participant User
participant ChatHook as beforeSubmitPrompt Hook
participant Agent as AI Agent
participant ChatResponseHook as afterAgentResponse Hook
participant MCPBeforeHook as beforeMCPExecution Hook
participant MCP as MCP Server
participant MCPAfterHook as afterMCPExecution Hook
participant Akto as Akto Dashboard

```
User->>ChatHook: User submits chat prompt
Note over ChatHook: Validate guardrail policies
alt Safe Prompt
    ChatHook->>Agent: Forward to AI
    ChatHook-->>Akto: Report event
else Malicious
    ChatHook-->>User: Block
    ChatHook-->>Akto: Report security event
end

Agent->>ChatResponseHook: Agent response
Note over ChatResponseHook: Validate response
ChatResponseHook-->>Akto: Report event
ChatResponseHook->>User: Response

Agent->>MCPBeforeHook: MCP tool request
Note over MCPBeforeHook: Validate tool parameters
MCPBeforeHook->>MCP: Execute if safe
MCPBeforeHook-->>Akto: Report event

MCP->>MCPAfterHook: Tool response
Note over MCPAfterHook: Validate response
MCPAfterHook-->>Akto: Report event
MCPAfterHook->>Agent: Response" %}
```

**4 Hook Points:**

1. `beforeSubmitPrompt` - Validates chat prompts before sending to AI
2. `afterAgentResponse` - Validates AI responses before displaying
3. `beforeMCPExecution` - Validates MCP tool requests before execution
4. `afterMCPExecution` - Validates MCP tool responses

## File Structure

```
~/.cursor/
├── hooks/
│   └── akto/
│       ├── akto-validate-chat-prompt-wrapper.sh       # Chat prompt wrapper
│       ├── akto-validate-chat-prompt.py               # Chat prompt validation
│       ├── akto-validate-chat-response-wrapper.sh     # Chat response wrapper
│       ├── akto-validate-chat-response.py             # Chat response validation
│       ├── akto-validate-mcp-request-wrapper.sh       # MCP request wrapper
│       ├── akto-validate-mcp-request.py               # MCP request validation
│       ├── akto-validate-mcp-response-wrapper.sh      # MCP response wrapper
│       ├── akto-validate-mcp-response.py              # MCP response validation
│       └── akto_machine_id.py                         # Device ID utility
├── akto/
│   ├── chat-logs/
│   │   ├── akto-validate-chat-prompt.log
│   │   └── akto-validate-chat-response.log
│   └── mcp-logs/
│       ├── akto-validate-request.log
│       └── akto-validate-response.log
└── hooks.json                                          # Hook configuration
```

**Key Files:**

* **Wrapper scripts (`.sh`)**: Set environment variables, invoke Python scripts
  * ⚠️ **Contains `AKTO_DATA_INGESTION_URL` placeholder** - Must be replaced with your Akto instance URL
* **Python scripts (`.py`)**: Core validation logic and Akto API communication
* **`akto_machine_id.py`**: Generates unique device identifiers for Atlas mode
* **`hooks.json`**: Links hooks to wrapper scripts

## Setup Guide

### Prerequisites

* Cursor IDE (version 0.40+ with hooks support)
* Akto instance URL
* macOS, Linux, or Windows with bash/zsh

### Installation Steps

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Create Directories**

```bash
mkdir -p ~/.cursor/hooks/akto
mkdir -p ~/.cursor/akto/chat-logs
mkdir -p ~/.cursor/akto/mcp-logs
```

{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Download Hook Scripts**

```bash
# Base URL for downloading hooks
HOOKS_BASE="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/akto-api-security/akto/master/apps/mcp-endpoint-shield/cursor-hooks"

# Download chat validation hooks
curl -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-chat-prompt-wrapper.sh \
  "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto-validate-chat-prompt-wrapper.sh"
curl -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-chat-prompt.py \
  "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto-validate-chat-prompt.py"
curl -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-chat-response-wrapper.sh \
  "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto-validate-chat-response-wrapper.sh"
curl -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-chat-response.py \
  "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto-validate-chat-response.py"

# Download MCP validation hooks
curl -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-mcp-request-wrapper.sh \
  "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto-validate-mcp-request-wrapper.sh"
curl -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-mcp-request.py \
  "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto-validate-mcp-request.py"
curl -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-mcp-response-wrapper.sh \
  "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto-validate-mcp-response-wrapper.sh"
curl -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-mcp-response.py \
  "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto-validate-mcp-response.py"

# Download utility
curl -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto_machine_id.py \
  "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto_machine_id.py"

# Make executable
chmod +x ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/*.sh
```

{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Configure Akto Ingestion URL** ⚠️ **CRITICAL STEP**

{% hint style="warning" %}
All wrapper scripts contain placeholder `{{AKTO_DATA_INGESTION_URL}}` that **must be replaced** with your actual Akto instance URL.
{% endhint %}

**Automated replacement:**

```bash
# Set your Akto ingestion URL
AKTO_URL="https://your-akto-instance.com"

# Update all wrapper scripts
sed -i.bak "s|{{AKTO_DATA_INGESTION_URL}}|${AKTO_URL}|g" ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/*-wrapper.sh
sed -i.bak 's|export DEVICE_ID="{{DEVICE_ID (optional)}}"||g' ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/*-wrapper.sh

# Verify replacement
grep "AKTO_DATA_INGESTION_URL" ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/*-wrapper.sh
```

**Manual replacement (alternative):**

Edit each wrapper script and replace:

```bash
AKTO_DATA_INGESTION_URL="{{AKTO_DATA_INGESTION_URL}}"
```

With:

```bash
AKTO_DATA_INGESTION_URL="https://your-akto-instance.com"
```

Files to update:

* `akto-validate-chat-prompt-wrapper.sh`
* `akto-validate-chat-response-wrapper.sh`
* `akto-validate-mcp-request-wrapper.sh`
* `akto-validate-mcp-response-wrapper.sh`
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Configure Hooks**

Create Cursor hooks configuration:

```bash
cat > ~/.cursor/hooks.json << 'EOF'
{
  "version": 1,
  "hooks": {
    "beforeSubmitPrompt": [
      {
        "command": "bash ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-chat-prompt-wrapper.sh",
        "timeout": 10
      }
    ],
    "afterAgentResponse": [
      {
        "command": "bash ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-chat-response-wrapper.sh",
        "timeout": 10
      }
    ],
    "beforeMCPExecution": [
      {
        "command": "bash ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-mcp-request-wrapper.sh",
        "timeout": 10
      }
    ],
    "afterMCPExecution": [
      {
        "command": "bash ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-mcp-response-wrapper.sh",
        "timeout": 10
      }
    ]
  }
}
EOF
```

{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Configure Hook Behavior (Optional)**

Edit wrapper scripts to customize:

```bash
# In each *-wrapper.sh file:

MODE="atlas"                    # "argus" or "atlas"
AKTO_SYNC_MODE="true"          # "true" (blocking) or "false" (observe only)
AKTO_TIMEOUT="5"               # Timeout in seconds
AKTO_CONNECTOR="claude_code_cli"
```

**Mode Options:**

* **Argus**: Standard validation and reporting
* **Atlas**: Includes device-specific metadata

**Sync Mode:**

* **true**: Blocks threats
* **false**: Reports but allows execution
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Restart Cursor**

```bash
# Close all Cursor windows and reopen
# Or use Cmd+Q (macOS) / Alt+F4 (Windows/Linux)
```

{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Verify Installation**

Check logs to confirm hooks are working:

```bash
# View chat logs
tail -f ~/.cursor/akto/chat-logs/akto-validate-chat-prompt.log
tail -f ~/.cursor/akto/chat-logs/akto-validate-chat-response.log

# View MCP logs
tail -f ~/.cursor/akto/mcp-logs/akto-validate-request.log
tail -f ~/.cursor/akto/mcp-logs/akto-validate-response.log
```

Test by typing a message in Cursor's chat or using an MCP tool. You should see log entries indicating validation occurred.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Configuration Reference

### Wrapper Script Variables

```bash
MODE="atlas"                                            # "argus" or "atlas"
AKTO_DATA_INGESTION_URL="{{AKTO_DATA_INGESTION_URL}}"  # ⚠️ MUST REPLACE
AKTO_SYNC_MODE="true"                                  # "true" or "false"
AKTO_TIMEOUT="5"                                       # Timeout in seconds
AKTO_CONNECTOR="claude_code_cli"                       # Connector identifier
```

### Environment Variables (Optional)

Override defaults via environment variables:

```bash
export MODE="atlas"
export AKTO_DATA_INGESTION_URL="https://your-akto-instance.com"
export AKTO_SYNC_MODE="true"
export AKTO_TIMEOUT="5"
```

## Troubleshooting

### Hooks Not Executing

```bash
# Check hooks.json exists and is valid
cat ~/.cursor/hooks.json | python3 -m json.tool

# Verify scripts are executable
ls -la ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/
chmod +x ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/*.sh

# Restart Cursor completely
killall Cursor && open -a Cursor
```

### Ingestion URL Not Configured

```bash
# Check if placeholder still exists
grep "{{AKTO_DATA_INGESTION_URL}}" ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/*-wrapper.sh

# Replace with actual URL
AKTO_URL="https://your-akto-instance.com"
sed -i.bak "s|{{AKTO_DATA_INGESTION_URL}}|${AKTO_URL}|g" ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/*-wrapper.sh
sed -i.bak 's|export DEVICE_ID="{{DEVICE_ID (optional)}}"||g' ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/*-wrapper.sh
```

### Check Logs for Errors

```bash
# View chat logs
cat ~/.cursor/akto/chat-logs/akto-validate-chat-prompt.log
cat ~/.cursor/akto/chat-logs/akto-validate-chat-response.log

# View MCP logs
cat ~/.cursor/akto/mcp-logs/akto-validate-request.log
cat ~/.cursor/akto/mcp-logs/akto-validate-response.log
```

### Events Not in Dashboard

```bash
# Test API connectivity
curl -X POST "${AKTO_DATA_INGESTION_URL}/api/v1/events" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"test": "event"}'

# Verify URL in wrapper scripts
grep "AKTO_DATA_INGESTION_URL" ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/*-wrapper.sh
```

## Uninstallation

To completely remove Akto hooks from Cursor:

### Complete Removal

```bash
# 1. Remove hook configuration
rm ~/.cursor/hooks.json

# 2. Remove Akto hook scripts
rm -rf ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/

# 3. Remove Akto logs (optional - keeps historical data if skipped)
rm -rf ~/.cursor/akto/

# 4. Restart Cursor
killall Cursor && open -a Cursor
```

### Selective Removal (Keep Logs)

If you want to preserve logs for audit purposes:

```bash
# Remove only hooks and configuration
rm ~/.cursor/hooks.json
rm -rf ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/

# Restart Cursor
killall Cursor && open -a Cursor
```

### Backup Before Removal

```bash
# Backup configuration and logs before removal
mkdir -p ~/akto-backup
cp ~/.cursor/hooks.json ~/akto-backup/cursor-hooks.json.bak
cp -r ~/.cursor/akto/ ~/akto-backup/cursor-akto-logs/

# Then proceed with removal steps above
```

### Verify Removal

```bash
# Check that hooks are removed
test -f ~/.cursor/hooks.json && echo "⚠️  hooks.json still exists" || echo "✅ hooks.json removed"
test -d ~/.cursor/hooks/akto && echo "⚠️  Hook scripts still exist" || echo "✅ Hook scripts removed"

# Check if logs are removed (if you chose to remove them)
test -d ~/.cursor/akto && echo "ℹ️  Logs still present" || echo "✅ Logs removed"
```

### Restore Cursor to Default

After uninstallation, Cursor will operate without Akto security monitoring. No restart or additional configuration is needed beyond removing the files.

## Enterprise Deployment

### Automated Deployment Script

```bash
#!/bin/bash
# deploy-cursor-hooks.sh

set -e
AKTO_URL="${1:-https://your-akto-instance.com}"

echo "🔧 Installing Akto Guardrails for Cursor..."

# Create directories
mkdir -p ~/.cursor/hooks/akto ~/.cursor/akto/chat-logs ~/.cursor/akto/mcp-logs

# Download hooks
HOOKS_BASE="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/akto-api-security/akto/master/apps/mcp-endpoint-shield/cursor-hooks"
curl -s "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto-validate-chat-prompt-wrapper.sh" -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-chat-prompt-wrapper.sh
curl -s "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto-validate-chat-prompt.py" -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-chat-prompt.py
curl -s "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto-validate-chat-response-wrapper.sh" -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-chat-response-wrapper.sh
curl -s "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto-validate-chat-response.py" -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-chat-response.py
curl -s "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto-validate-mcp-request-wrapper.sh" -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-mcp-request-wrapper.sh
curl -s "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto-validate-mcp-request.py" -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-mcp-request.py
curl -s "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto-validate-mcp-response-wrapper.sh" -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-mcp-response-wrapper.sh
curl -s "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto-validate-mcp-response.py" -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-mcp-response.py
curl -s "${HOOKS_BASE}/akto_machine_id.py" -o ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto_machine_id.py

# Make executable
chmod +x ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/*.sh

# Configure URL and strip optional placeholders
sed -i.bak "s|{{AKTO_DATA_INGESTION_URL}}|${AKTO_URL}|g" ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/*-wrapper.sh
sed -i.bak 's|export DEVICE_ID="{{DEVICE_ID (optional)}}"||g' ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/*-wrapper.sh

# Create hooks.json
cat > ~/.cursor/hooks.json << 'EOFHOOKS'
{
  "version": 1,
  "hooks": {
    "beforeSubmitPrompt": [{"command": "bash ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-chat-prompt-wrapper.sh", "timeout": 10}],
    "afterAgentResponse": [{"command": "bash ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-chat-response-wrapper.sh", "timeout": 10}],
    "beforeMCPExecution": [{"command": "bash ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-mcp-request-wrapper.sh", "timeout": 10}],
    "afterMCPExecution": [{"command": "bash ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/akto-validate-mcp-response-wrapper.sh", "timeout": 10}]
  }
}
EOFHOOKS

echo "✅ Installation complete! Restart Cursor."
echo "📍 Akto instance: ${AKTO_URL}"
```

**Deploy to developers:**

```bash
curl -fsSL https://your-org.com/deploy-cursor-hooks.sh | bash -s https://your-akto-instance.com
```

## Quick Setup Summary

```bash
# 1. Create directories
mkdir -p ~/.cursor/hooks/akto ~/.cursor/akto/chat-logs ~/.cursor/akto/mcp-logs

# 2. Download all hook scripts from GitHub (see step 2 above)

# 3. ⚠️ Configure Akto URL (REQUIRED)
AKTO_URL="https://your-akto-instance.com"
sed -i.bak "s|{{AKTO_DATA_INGESTION_URL}}|${AKTO_URL}|g" ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/*-wrapper.sh
sed -i.bak 's|export DEVICE_ID="{{DEVICE_ID (optional)}}"||g' ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/*-wrapper.sh

# 4. Make executable
chmod +x ~/.cursor/hooks/akto/*.sh

# 5. Create hooks.json (see step 4 above)

# 6. Restart Cursor
```

## Resources

* **GitHub**: <https://github.com/akto-api-security/akto>
* **Support**: <support@akto.io>
* **Community**: <https://www.akto.io/community>