Features
- Cascade: multi-step agentic coding in the editor
- Deep codebase indexing for context-aware suggestions
- Inline editing with natural language instructions
- Terminal command generation and execution
Pros
- Cascade provides agentic multi-step task completion
- Strong codebase understanding through indexing
- Free tier available for individual developers
Cons
- Smaller community than Cursor or Copilot
- Extension ecosystem depends on VS Code compatibility
- Cascade can occasionally make unintended changes
Overview
Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is an AI-powered IDE that combines code editing with agentic capabilities. Its flagship feature, Cascade, is an agentic flow that can plan and execute multi-step coding tasks: reading files, making edits across multiple files, running terminal commands, and iterating on results.
Windsurf indexes your entire codebase to build a deep understanding of your project’s structure, patterns, and relationships. This indexing enables more accurate code suggestions and context-aware responses in its chat and editing features.
The editor is built on VS Code technology, maintaining compatibility with VS Code extensions and settings. It provides inline editing through natural language instructions, a chat panel for code discussions, and terminal integration for command execution.
When to Use
Use Windsurf when you want an AI IDE with agentic capabilities and strong codebase understanding. It is a good choice for developers who want an alternative to Cursor with different AI model options and a free tier.
Getting Started
1. Download Windsurf from windsurf.com
2. Import your VS Code settings
3. Let it index your codebase
4. Use Cascade for multi-step coding tasks