workspace-course-topics

Workflow: Install MyST-Markdown extension in Cursor

Purpose: Install the MyST-Markdown VS Code extension for syntax highlighting, autocomplete, and preview.

Note: If you ran bash scripts/setup_env.sh in the ballpark repo, the extension may already be installed automatically. Use this workflow only if you need to install it manually or troubleshoot.

Verify first

Check if the extension is already installed:

  1. In Cursor, open the Extensions panel (Cmd+Shift+X / Ctrl+Shift+X).
  2. Search for MyST in the installed extensions.
  3. If MyST-Markdown by ExecutableBookProject is listed, you’re done.

Cursor’s marketplace is separate from VS Code’s and may not include this extension. Download and install the .vsix file directly:

  1. Download the extension: 
    curl -L "https://ExecutableBookProject.gallery.vsassets.io/_apis/public/gallery/publisher/ExecutableBookProject/extension/myst-highlight/latest/assetbyname/Microsoft.VisualStudio.Services.VSIXPackage" -o /tmp/myst-highlight.vsix
  2. Install in Cursor:
    • Extensions panel → click the ... menu (top right) → “Install from VSIX…“
    • Select /tmp/myst-highlight.vsix
  3. Reload Cursor if prompted.

Or from the command line (if Cursor CLI is on PATH):

cursor --install-extension /tmp/myst-highlight.vsix

Option B: Search in Cursor (may not work)

  1. Open the Extensions panel (Cmd+Shift+X / Ctrl+Shift+X).
  2. Search for MyST-Markdown.
  3. If found, install the extension by ExecutableBookProject (ExecutableBookProject.myst-highlight).

What this gives you