Windsurf

What is Windsurf?

Windsurf is an AI-first code editor from Codeium — a VS Code fork with an agentic AI called Cascade built into its core. Like Cursor, the interface is immediately familiar to any VS Code user. What distinguishes Windsurf is how Cascade approaches tasks: it doesn't just suggest the next line of code, it reads your project, forms a plan, makes coordinated edits across multiple files, runs terminal commands to check results, and continues working until the task is done. It operates more like an agent than an autocomplete.

Plans

Windsurf's Pro tier is cheaper than Cursor's ($15 vs $20) — a meaningful difference if cost is a deciding factor.

The magic moment

Open a project and press Cmd+L to open Cascade. Type:

Add pagination to the user list page. The API already supports limit and offset params.

Cascade reads the user list component, finds the API call, writes the frontend pagination UI, updates the API call with the right parameters, and adds the state management — without you specifying which files to edit. You did not navigate to the files. You did not identify the relevant code. Cascade found it, understood the context, and made the changes. That autonomous, multi-file comprehension is the moment Windsurf earns its place.

Getting started

1. Go to codeium.com/windsurf and download the installer
2. Open Windsurf — click Import VS Code Settings to bring in your extensions, themes, and keybindings
3. Create a free Codeium account when prompted
4. Open a project with File → Open Folder
5. Start with inline completions — type a function signature and watch suggestions appear
6. Press Cmd+L (Mac) or Ctrl+L (Windows) to open Cascade
7. Give Cascade a task that spans more than one file

Total setup: about 15 minutes including the VS Code import.

Key shortcuts

Cascade vs Chat mode

Cascade is the agentic mode. You give it a task ("add authentication to this app"), and it works autonomously — reading files, making changes, running commands — until the task is complete or it needs your input. Use Cascade for anything multi-step.

Chat is the conversational mode. Ask questions about your code, get explanations, request focused suggestions. Use Chat when you want to understand something or get a quick answer without triggering a multi-file edit.

Tips for better results

Give Cascade context about what "done" looks like. "Add pagination — it's done when the user list shows 10 items per page with working prev/next buttons" gives Cascade a clearer target than "add pagination".

Use the @ mention to add specific files to context: @UserList.tsx pulls that file directly into Cascade's working context for more precise edits.

After a large Cascade session, review the changes in the diff panel before accepting. Cascade is accurate but not infallible — treating its output like a code review from a junior developer is the right mental model.

Windsurf vs Cursor

The two most compared tools in AI coding:

Both are excellent. Try both on the same project — most developers develop a clear preference within a few sessions.