I would not hand a beginner every Cursor feature at once. Start with Chat on a small repo or tutorial project. Learn to read diffs before Composer rewrites half the app.
Day one setup
Install, open a simple project, connect git, protect main.
Use Chat to explain code you do not understand.
Day two
Small edit with explicit file and instruction.
Review line by line.
Run the app.
Day three
Try Composer on a scoped ticket.
Add tests if the stack supports them.
Common beginner mistake
Accepting large changes because they compile.
Compilation is not correctness.
Cursor helps beginners move faster with guardrails: small scope, branches, and diff literacy before speed.
