# django

A rule that enforces project structure, code organization, and security patterns for Django applications in Cursor.

- rule · `type=rule` · Cursor · ★ 3580
- Author: sanjeed5
- License: CC0-1.0 · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/sanjeed5/awesome-cursor-rules-mdc/tree/HEAD/rules-mdc/django.mdc
- Updated: 2026-05-19
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/rules/django

## What it does

The rule prescribes `src-layout` with settings split into `base`, `development`, and `production`, secrets stored via `django-environ`, model names in singular and `related_name` in plural. Business logic moves to model methods or a service layer, not views. N+1 queries are eliminated with `select_related` and `prefetch_related`, frequently filtered fields get `db_index=True`. Blocking ORM calls inside async views use `sync_to_async`.

The security section mandates `permission_classes` from Django REST Framework instead of manual checks in views, `ManifestStaticFilesStorage` for static files, and cloud storage for media in production. CRUD operations use `ModelViewSet` and DRF routers. Without `django-environ` and proper settings split, secrets end up in the repository.

## Install

### Cursor (native platform)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/rules/django.mdc` — Frontmatter: description, globs, alwaysApply

### Claude Code

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.claude/rules/django.md` — The paths frontmatter field limits the files: move globs from the source into paths

### Codex

**AGENTS.md**
- Codex reads AGENTS.md: paste the rule text there

### GitHub Copilot

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/instructions/django.instructions.md` — The applyTo field sets which files it applies to: move globs from the source into applyTo

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/rules/django.md`

### Cline

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.clinerules/django.md`

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/sanjeed5/awesome-cursor-rules-mdc/tree/HEAD/rules-mdc/django.mdc

## When to use it
- structure a Django project with environment-specific settings
- eliminate N+1 queries with `select_related` and `prefetch_related`
- move business logic from views into models or services
- add indexes to frequently filtered fields
- set up role-based permissions in Django REST Framework

## Example prompts
- Show me how to split `settings.py` into `base`, `development`, and `production` with `django-environ`
- Rewrite this view so order creation logic moves into the `Order` model
- Optimize the book list query with authors — it's N+1 right now

## Source text · django.mdc · CC0-1.0

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: b5881d717c7f13f8.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE b5881d717c7f13f8
````text
---
description: Definitive guidelines for writing maintainable, performant, and secure Django applications, emphasizing modern best practices, clear code organization, and efficient patterns.
globs: **/*.py
---
# django Best Practices

This guide outlines the definitive best practices for developing Django applications, ensuring maintainability, performance, and security. Adhere to these rules for consistent, high-quality code.

## 1. Code Organization & Project Structure

Adopt the `src-layout` for clear separation of concerns. Keep apps focused on a single domain.

*   **Project Layout (`src-layout`)**:
    ```
    .
    ├── manage.py
    ├── src/
    │   ├── config/             # Project-level settings, URLs, WSGI/ASGI
    │   │   ├── __init__.py
    │   │   ├── settings/
    │   │   │   ├── __init__.py
    │   │   │   ├── base.py
    │   │   │   ├── development.py
    │   │   │   └── production.py
    │   │   └── urls.py
    │   ├── apps/               # Domain-driven Django apps
    │   │   ├── users/
    │   │   │   ├── models.py
    │   │   │   ├── views.py
    │   │   │   └── tests/
    │   │   ├── products/
    │   │   └── ...
    │   └── common/             # Reusable utilities, abstract base models, etc.
    └── requirements.txt
    ```

*   **Split Settings**: Use `django-environ` for environment-specific settings. Never commit secrets.

    ❌ BAD: Hardcoding secrets, single `settings.py`
    ```python
    # config/settings.py
    DEBUG = True
    SECRET_KEY = 'super-secret-dev-key'
    DATABASES = {'default': {'ENGINE': 'django.db.backends.sqlite3', 'NAME': BASE_DIR / 'db.sqlite3'}}
    ```

    ✅ GOOD: Environment variables, split files
    ```python
    # src/config/settings/base.py
    import environ
    env = environ.Env()
    environ.Env.read_env() # reads .env file

    SECRET_KEY = env('SECRET_KEY')
    DEBUG = env.bool('DEBUG', default=False)
    ALLOWED_HOSTS = env.list('ALLOWED_HOSTS', default=[])

    # src/config/settings/development.py
    from .base import *
    DEBUG = True
    DATABASES = {'default': env.db('DATABASE_URL', default='sqlite:///db.sqlite3')}

    # .env file (not committed to VCS)
    SECRET_KEY=your_actual_secret_key
    DEBUG=True
    DATABASE_URL=postgres://user:pass@host:port/dbname
    ```

*   **Model Naming**: Models are singular nouns. `related_name` for reverse relationships is plural.

    ❌ BAD:
    ```python
    class Users(models.Model): pass
    owner = models.ForeignKey(Owner, related_name='item')
    ```

    ✅ GOOD:
    ```python
    class User(models.Model): pass
    owner = models.ForeignKey(Owner, related_name='items', on_delete=models.CASCADE)
    ```

## 2. Common Patterns & Anti-patterns

*   **Fat Models, Skinny Views**: Business logic belongs in models or dedicated service layers, not views. Views orchestrate, models/services execute.

    ❌ BAD: Logic in view
    ```python
    # apps/orders/views.py
    def create_order_view(request):
        # ... validation ...
        product = Product.objects.get(id=product_id)
        if product.stock < quantity:
            raise ValidationError("Not enough stock")
        order = Order.objects.create(user=request.user, product=product, quantity=quantity)
        product.stock -= quantity
        product.save()
        # ...
    ```

    ✅ GOOD: Logic in model/service
    ```python
    # apps/orders/models.py
    class Order(models.Model):
        # ... fields ...
        @classmethod
        def create_with_stock_check(cls, user, product, quantity):
            if product.stock < quantity:
                raise ValidationError("Not enough stock")
            order = cls.objects.create(user=user, product=product, quantity=quantity)
````
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