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Static Sites vs WordPress: My Content Workflow (Powered by Cursor) - Part 5

Part 5: How I write and publish blog posts using Cursor, Markdown, Git, and AI assistance. From research to publication in a streamlined workflow.

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#Cursor #Static Sites #Hugo #Markdown #Git #AI #Workflow #Writing
Static Sites vs WordPress: My Content Workflow (Powered by Cursor) - Part 5

When I moved my blog to Hugo and Netlify, one of the biggest changes wasn’t technical at all: it was how I actually write.

In the WordPress era, writing meant logging into the admin panel, opening the block editor, fiddling with formatting, and hoping a plugin update wouldn’t break something mid-draft. It worked, but it always felt like I was fighting the system rather than focusing on words.

Now, writing feels natural again.

Previous posts in this series:

Why I Use Cursor

Most developers have a favorite code editor. Mine is Cursor, an AI assisted editor built on top of VSCode. At first, it might sound odd to use a coding tool for writing blog posts, but for me it’s the perfect fit.

Here’s why:

Markdown support: Hugo posts are just Markdown files. Cursor handles them effortlessly, with syntax highlighting and previews when I need them.

Version control: Writing becomes another branch of coding. Every post is a file, every revision is a Git commit, and nothing ever gets lost.

AI assistance: Cursor has AI built in, so when I need help rephrasing, shortening, or outlining, it’s right there. It’s like having a writing partner who never gets tired.

Context familiarity: I spend most of my day in code editors. Writing here feels like second nature. No need to context switch to a blogging dashboard.

My Workflow Step by Step

Here’s what publishing looks like today:

Draft the content

I usually draft posts in Apple Notes or directly with ChatGPT. It’s quick, flexible, and lets me capture thoughts as they come without worrying about formatting.

Move to Cursor for editing

Once the draft feels solid, I copy it into Cursor. That’s where I polish: rearranging sections, tightening sentences, and formatting everything in Markdown. Cursor’s AI features help here when I want to restructure or clean something up.

Commit to Git

After editing, I commit the Markdown file to my Hugo repo. Each change is tracked, so I always have a history of revisions.

Push to GitHub

This triggers Netlify’s CI/CD pipeline. Hugo rebuilds the site and Netlify publishes it within seconds.

Check the live site

I review the post in the browser, fix any small issues if needed, and the article is done.

Why This Beats WordPress

Looking back, the difference in workflow is night and day.

In WordPress, I worried about plugins, editors, shortcodes, formatting glitches, and backups.

With Hugo + Cursor, I write in plain text, track changes in Git, and let automation do the rest.

It’s faster, cleaner, and more reliable. Most importantly, it lowers friction, which makes me more likely to actually sit down and write.

The Mental Shift

What surprised me most is how much this workflow changes the feeling of writing.

Markdown strips away distractions. No font choices, no alignment options, no endless buttons. Just words. That focus makes me write more freely.

Version control adds peace of mind. Every draft, every change, every revision is saved. I don’t fear losing work the way I did with WordPress.

And AI? It’s not a crutch: it’s a boost. Sometimes it’s a quick editor, sometimes it’s a brainstorming partner. Having that right inside the editor makes a difference.

Takeaway for Readers

If you’re starting or rebooting a blog, think carefully about your workflow. Tools shape habits. If your editor feels like a chore, you’ll write less. If it feels natural, you’ll write more.

For me, Cursor plus Hugo is the sweet spot. For you, it might be another editor, but the principle is the same: make writing as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Final Thoughts

This blog reboot wasn’t just about speed or security. It was about rediscovering the joy of writing without technical friction. Using Cursor as my primary writing tool turned out to be one of the best decisions in the process.

It made the blog feel less like a project and more like a creative space again. And that, more than any tool or workflow, is what really matters.

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What’s your writing workflow? Do you use AI tools to help with your content creation? I’d love to hear about your setup and what works best for you.

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Irhad Babic

Irhad Babic

Practical insights on engineering management, AI applications, and product building from a hands-on engineering leader and manager.

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