Windsurf

What is Windsurf?

Windsurf is an AI-powered code editor launched by Codeium. Built on the VS Code core, its interface and keyboard shortcuts are nearly identical to VS Code. Its key differentiator is Cascade, a multi-step AI Agent capable of understanding context across the entire codebase, planning changes, and executing them.

Core premise: It doesn’t just “help you complete the next line”; it truly understands your codebase and your goals, collaborating with you as an assistant to complete complex tasks.

Cascade: Core Features

Cascade is Windsurf’s most emphasized feature. Its workflow aligns more closely with an AI Agent than traditional code completion:

Multi-step execution: You give Cascade a task—such as “Add JWT authentication middleware to this Express app”—and it will:

1. Analyze the existing codebase structure
2. Locate relevant files
3. Plan which areas need modification
4. Execute changes step-by-step
5. Install required dependencies (by running terminal commands directly)
6. Report on what was completed

Dual modes: Write and Chat:

• Write mode: Cascade proactively modifies your code, ideal for scenarios where you want the AI to “do the work.”
• Chat mode: Conversational discussion, ideal for “asking the AI questions.”

Cascade’s memory: Cascade remembers what happened during the conversation, including the modifications it made, errors encountered, and any rollbacks you requested. This contextual continuity is valuable for long-form programming tasks.

Terminal integration: Cascade can run commands directly in the terminal—installing packages, running tests, starting servers—without requiring you to manually switch contexts. It observes command output and acts accordingly.

Comparison with Cursor

This is the tool Windsurf is most frequently compared against:

Similarities:

• Both are based on VS Code
• Both feature an AI chat sidebar
• Both support multi-file editing
• Both offer code completion

Windsurf’s advantages:

• More generous free tier: Windsurf’s free version offers relatively more features. Cascade includes a free allowance, whereas Cursor’s free tier provides very limited access to advanced models.
• Deeper Agent capabilities in Cascade: Terminal integration and multi-step execution feel smoother than Cursor Composer, with a higher degree of autonomy.
• Faster updates: As the newer entrant, Windsurf iterates quickly, rapidly adopting new features.

Cursor’s advantages:

• Larger user base and community: More tutorials and community discussions available.
• More mature codebase indexing: Its ability to understand large codebases has been refined over a longer period.
• Higher brand recognition: More widely recommended within the developer community.

Free vs. Paid

This is a key differentiator for Windsurf:

• Free tier (Windsurf Free): Unlimited code completion, limited monthly usage of Cascade (AI Agent), powered by Codeium’s proprietary models, with limited access to Claude/GPT-4o.
• Pro ($15/month): Increased Cascade usage and access to more advanced models (Claude 3.5 Sonnet, GPT-4o).
• Teams ($35/user/month): Team collaboration features.

Compared to Cursor Pro ($20/month), Windsurf Pro is $5 cheaper, and its free tier offers more functionality than Cursor’s free version. This makes Windsurf particularly attractive for budget-conscious developers or those new to AI IDEs who want to try it out first.

Supported Models

Windsurf supports:

• Codeium proprietary models (default, free)
• Claude 3.5 Sonnet (paid)
• GPT-4o (paid)

Unlike Cursor, Windsurf does not support bringing your own API key to use third-party models. This means access to advanced models relies entirely on their provided quotas, with no option to bypass payments.

Code Completion

Windsurf’s code completion (Tab completion) leverages Codeium’s years of technical accumulation. Its quality is comparable to GitHub Copilot, performing consistently across most scenarios.

For users already using Codeium’s free code completion, switching to Windsurf allows you to retain the same completion quality while gaining access to Cascade’s Agent capabilities.

Who Is It For?

Developers on a budget: If you want an AI IDE but find Cursor’s $20/month price tag steep, Windsurf’s more feature-rich free tier and lower Pro pricing make it a strong alternative.

Developers exploring AI IDEs who haven’t decided yet: You can experience Cascade via the free tier without needing a credit card, making it ideal for trial before committing to a paid plan.

Users already using Codeium code completion: Switching to Windsurf means gaining stronger Agent capabilities on top of a familiar completion experience, with minimal migration friction.

Developers who prefer Agent-style interaction: If you find Cursor’s Composer not “autonomous” enough, Windsurf’s Cascade feels more like an Agent, particularly in multi-step execution and terminal integration.

Practical Advice

Try the free tier first to see if it fits your workflow. The free version already lets you experience most core features. Don’t rush to pay; use it for a week or two to see if it genuinely improves your efficiency compared to your current tools.

Use Cascade Write mode for modifications and Chat mode for discussion. Each mode has its ideal use case. Don’t handle everything via Chat; the code execution and terminal integration in Write mode are where Cascade truly shines.

Break down large tasks into steps. Like all AI Agents, giving overly complex instructions at once can lead to errors. “Do A first, then let me know” is more reliable than “Do A, B, C, and D simultaneously.”

Windsurf is currently the AI IDE closest in functionality to Cursor but at a lower price point. If you’re evaluating AI coding tools, both Cursor and Windsurf are worth testing for a week before making your choice based on personal experience.