Windsurf

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Screenshot of Windsurf

About

Windsurf is an agentic IDE created by Codeium and now owned by Cognition (the maker of Devin), which rebranded it as Devin Desktop in June 2026. Its local agent, Cascade — now Devin Local — analyzes your entire project, plans changes, edits multiple files and runs commands to carry out development tasks end to end. It stands out for its deep understanding of large codebases (Fast Context, Codemaps) and free access to its in-house SWE-1.6 model.

Key features

  • Devin Local agent (formerly Cascade): whole-project understanding, multi-file edits and command execution
  • Plan mode and parallel agent sessions to tackle several tasks at once
  • Supercomplete and Tab completions included even on the free tier
  • Codemaps and Fast Context to map and navigate large codebases
  • Memories and custom rules to remember your project conventions and preferences

Use cases

Build a complete feature by describing what you need in natural languageRefactor code spread across multiple files without breaking project consistencyDebug an application by letting the agent run tests and terminal commandsQuickly prototype a web app or script from a simple promptGet up to speed on an unfamiliar codebase with Codemaps and Fast Context

How to use it

Download the editor for Windows, macOS or Linux from windsurf.com (which now redirects to devin.ai), then create a free account. Import your settings and extensions from VS Code if needed, open your project and launch the agent from its dedicated panel. Describe your task in natural language: the agent proposes a plan, edits files and runs commands under your supervision.

Pricing

Free

  • Light agent usage quota
  • Tab and Supercomplete completions
  • Unlimited access to the in-house SWE-1.6 model

Pro

  • $20 per month
  • Larger quotas and frontier models (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google)
  • Access to the accelerated version of SWE-1.6

Max

  • $200 per month
  • Substantially higher quotas than the Pro plan
  • All Pro plan features included

Prices are indicative and may change — check the official site for up-to-date pricing.

Frequently asked questions

Is Windsurf free?

Yes. The free tier includes a light agent usage quota, Tab and Supercomplete completions, and unlimited access to the in-house SWE-1.6 model. The Pro plan, at $20 per month, unlocks larger quotas and frontier models from OpenAI, Anthropic and Google.

How is it different from Cursor or GitHub Copilot?

Windsurf takes the agentic approach further: its agent plans and executes tasks end to end, whereas Copilot remains primarily a suggestion assistant. Compared with Cursor, it stands out with Fast Context, Codemaps and free access to its in-house SWE-1.6 model.

Why does windsurf.com redirect to Devin?

After Cognition acquired Windsurf in late 2025, the IDE was rebranded as Devin Desktop in June 2026 and the site now redirects to devin.ai. The transition is seamless: you keep your settings, extensions and subscription, and the Cascade agent gives way to Devin Local, its modernized successor.

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