Windsurf

Windsurf is a VS Code fork (formerly Codeium) featuring a cascade interface and agentic mode. It offers advanced AI collaboration features and was acquired by OpenAI, making it a popular choice for developers seeking cutting-edge AI assistance.

Key Features

• Cascade Interface: Unique conversation flow for iterative development
• Agentic Mode: AI can perform complex, multi-step tasks autonomously
• VS Code Compatibility: Full extension and settings compatibility
• Real-time Collaboration: Advanced team features
• Context Awareness: Deep understanding of your codebase

Installation

1. Download Windsurf Visit windsurf.dev and download for your operating system.

2. Install and Setup Run the installer and import your VS Code settings if desired.

3. Create Account Sign up for Windsurf to access AI features and cloud sync.

4. Configure Preferences Set up your preferred AI models and collaboration settings.

Getting Started

Cascade Interface

The cascade interface allows for natural conversation flow:

1. Start a conversation about your coding task
2. Iterate on solutions through back-and-forth dialogue
3. Apply changes directly to your codebase
4. Continue refining until you're satisfied

Agentic Mode

Enable agentic mode for complex tasks:

Enable agentic mode: "Create a full-stack todo app with React frontend and Node.js backend"

The AI will:

• Plan the project structure
• Create necessary files
• Implement features step by step
• Handle dependencies and configuration

Best Practices

Effective Cascade Conversations

Start with clear goals:

"I need to build a user authentication system with JWT tokens, password hashing, and email verification"

Provide feedback iteratively:

"The login function looks good, but can you add rate limiting and better error messages?"

Agentic Mode Tips

• Be specific about requirements and constraints
• Review each step before allowing the agent to continue
• Test frequently as the agent builds features
• Provide feedback to guide the agent's decisions

Advanced Features

Team Collaboration

Real-time editing:

• Multiple developers can work simultaneously
• AI assists all team members
• Conflict resolution with AI suggestions

Shared context:

• Team knowledge base
• Shared coding patterns
• Consistent style enforcement

Custom Agents

Create specialized agents for your workflow:

// Example: Custom React component agent
{
  "name": "React Component Builder",
  "prompt": "Create React components following our team's style guide with TypeScript, styled-components, and comprehensive prop types",
  "context": ["src/components/**", "src/styles/**", "package.json"]
}

Common Use Cases

Full-Stack Development

Frontend + Backend:

"Build a blog platform with Next.js frontend, Express backend, and MongoDB database"

API Development:

"Create a RESTful API for a social media app with user management, posts, and comments"

Code Migration

Framework Migration:

"Migrate this jQuery application to React with modern hooks and TypeScript"

Language Migration:

"Convert this Python Flask app to Node.js with Express"

Testing and Quality

Comprehensive Testing:

"Add unit tests, integration tests, and E2E tests for this e-commerce application"

Code Quality:

"Refactor this codebase to improve performance, readability, and maintainability"

Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Windows/Linux	Mac
Open Cascade	Ctrl+Shift+C	Cmd+Shift+C
Agentic Mode	Ctrl+Shift+A	Cmd+Shift+A
Apply Changes	Ctrl+Enter	Cmd+Enter
Reject Changes	Ctrl+Shift+R	Cmd+Shift+R
Continue Conversation	Ctrl+;	Cmd+;

Configuration

Workspace Settings

{
  "windsurf.agenticMode": true,
  "windsurf.cascadeAutoApply": false,
  "windsurf.contextDepth": "deep",
  "windsurf.collaborationMode": "team",
  "windsurf.customAgents": [
    {
      "name": "Frontend Specialist",
      "focus": ["React", "TypeScript", "CSS"],
      "style": "modern"
    }
  ]
}

Team Configuration

{
  "team": {
    "codeStyle": "airbnb",
    "testingFramework": "jest",
    "deploymentTarget": "vercel",
    "sharedContext": ["docs/**", "src/types/**"]
  }
}

Pricing

• Free Tier: Basic AI features with usage limits
• Pro: $15/month for unlimited usage and advanced features
• Team: $25/user/month for collaboration features
• Enterprise: Custom pricing for large organizations

info

The free tier is suitable for individual developers and small projects. Teams benefit significantly from the collaboration features in paid tiers.

Integration with Development Workflow

Git Integration

Commit Message Generation:

"Generate commit messages for these changes with conventional commit format"

Branch Management:

"Create a feature branch for user authentication and set up the basic structure"

CI/CD Integration

Pipeline Configuration:

"Set up GitHub Actions for testing, building, and deploying this Next.js app"

Quality Gates:

"Add code quality checks and security scanning to the CI pipeline"

Troubleshooting

Performance Issues

• Large codebases: Use focused context instead of entire project
• Slow responses: Check internet connection and server status
• Memory usage: Close unused cascade conversations

Collaboration Issues

• Sync conflicts: Use the built-in conflict resolution tools
• Permission errors: Check team access settings
• Context misalignment: Refresh shared context regularly

warning

Agentic mode can make significant changes to your codebase. Always review changes carefully and use version control to track modifications.

Next Steps

• Master prompt engineering for better cascade conversations
• Learn version control best practices for AI-assisted development
• Explore team collaboration features for your development workflow