diff --git a/apps/server/src/routes/app-spec/generate-features-from-spec.ts b/apps/server/src/routes/app-spec/generate-features-from-spec.ts
index 8aea59ba..2171f2d2 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/routes/app-spec/generate-features-from-spec.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/routes/app-spec/generate-features-from-spec.ts
@@ -125,8 +125,16 @@ IMPORTANT: Do not ask for clarification. The specification is provided above. Ge
 
     const provider = ProviderFactory.getProviderForModel(model);
 
+    // Add explicit instructions for Cursor to return JSON in response
+    const cursorPrompt = `${prompt}
+
+CRITICAL INSTRUCTIONS:
+1. DO NOT write any files. Return the JSON in your response only.
+2. Respond with ONLY a JSON object - no explanations, no markdown, just raw JSON.
+3. Your entire response should be valid JSON starting with { and ending with }. No text before or after.`;
+
     for await (const msg of provider.executeQuery({
-      prompt,
+      prompt: cursorPrompt,
       model,
       cwd: projectPath,
       maxTurns: 250,
diff --git a/apps/server/src/routes/app-spec/generate-spec.ts b/apps/server/src/routes/app-spec/generate-spec.ts
index 98985c1e..64f12836 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/routes/app-spec/generate-spec.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/routes/app-spec/generate-spec.ts
@@ -119,11 +119,18 @@ ${getStructuredSpecPromptInstruction()}`;
 
     const provider = ProviderFactory.getProviderForModel(model);
 
-    // For Cursor, include the JSON schema in the prompt
+    // For Cursor, include the JSON schema in the prompt with clear instructions
+    // to return JSON in the response (not write to a file)
     const cursorPrompt = `${prompt}
 
-IMPORTANT: You must respond with a valid JSON object matching this schema:
-${JSON.stringify(specOutputSchema, null, 2)}`;
+CRITICAL INSTRUCTIONS:
+1. DO NOT write any files. DO NOT create any files like "project_specification.json".
+2. After analyzing the project, respond with ONLY a JSON object - no explanations, no markdown, just raw JSON.
+3. The JSON must match this exact schema:
+
+${JSON.stringify(specOutputSchema, null, 2)}
+
+Your entire response should be valid JSON starting with { and ending with }. No text before or after.`;
 
     for await (const msg of provider.executeQuery({
       prompt: cursorPrompt,
diff --git a/apps/server/src/routes/github/routes/validate-issue.ts b/apps/server/src/routes/github/routes/validate-issue.ts
index b51435b8..80e068fb 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/routes/github/routes/validate-issue.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/routes/github/routes/validate-issue.ts
@@ -102,9 +102,15 @@ async function runValidation(
       // For Cursor, include the system prompt and schema in the user prompt
       const cursorPrompt = `${ISSUE_VALIDATION_SYSTEM_PROMPT}
 
-You MUST respond with a valid JSON object matching this schema:
+CRITICAL INSTRUCTIONS:
+1. DO NOT write any files. Return the JSON in your response only.
+2. Respond with ONLY a JSON object - no explanations, no markdown, just raw JSON.
+3. The JSON must match this exact schema:
+
 ${JSON.stringify(issueValidationSchema, null, 2)}
 
+Your entire response should be valid JSON starting with { and ending with }. No text before or after.
+
 ${prompt}`;
 
       for await (const msg of provider.executeQuery({
diff --git a/apps/server/src/routes/suggestions/generate-suggestions.ts b/apps/server/src/routes/suggestions/generate-suggestions.ts
index fd4c6a50..fefcea61 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/routes/suggestions/generate-suggestions.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/routes/suggestions/generate-suggestions.ts
@@ -189,11 +189,17 @@ The response will be automatically formatted as structured JSON.`;
 
     const provider = ProviderFactory.getProviderForModel(model);
 
-    // For Cursor, include the JSON schema in the prompt
+    // For Cursor, include the JSON schema in the prompt with clear instructions
     const cursorPrompt = `${prompt}
 
-IMPORTANT: You must respond with a valid JSON object matching this schema:
-${JSON.stringify(suggestionsSchema, null, 2)}`;
+CRITICAL INSTRUCTIONS:
+1. DO NOT write any files. Return the JSON in your response only.
+2. After analyzing the project, respond with ONLY a JSON object - no explanations, no markdown, just raw JSON.
+3. The JSON must match this exact schema:
+
+${JSON.stringify(suggestionsSchema, null, 2)}
+
+Your entire response should be valid JSON starting with { and ending with }. No text before or after.`;
 
     for await (const msg of provider.executeQuery({
       prompt: cursorPrompt,