What Windsurf does
Windsurf’s Cascade workflow brings repository-aware chat, multi-file editing, terminal tools, planning, checkpoints, and model choice into an AI-first desktop editor.
Windsurf remains a meaningful search term and Cascade remains the core agentic editor experience, but the product is changing. Official Windsurf pricing now redirects to Devin pricing, and former Windsurf documentation redirects into Devin Desktop documentation while retaining migration references. Buyers should confirm the current client name and entitlements at checkout.
The experience goes well beyond autocomplete: Cascade can plan, inspect a repository, change multiple files, call tools, and react to errors. That power needs source control, repository rules, least-privilege credentials, careful command review, and independent tests. Privacy also depends on the operative plan and enabled cloud or third-party features.
How Windsurf works
Cascade combines your request with selected text, repository context, rules, memories, and permitted tools. It plans longer tasks, edits files, runs terminal commands, responds to linter or runtime results, and provides checkpoints for review and recovery.
Open and map the repository
The desktop editor gathers project context from files, selected editor or terminal text, rules, memories, and permitted retrieval features. Start from a clean source-control state and exclude secrets or directories the agent should not inspect.
Turn the request into bounded work
Cascade Chat can answer questions and propose code, while Code mode can make changes. For longer tasks, planning maintains the broader objective as the selected model executes shorter actions; explicit acceptance criteria keep that plan from expanding silently.
Edit, run, and react to results
Cascade can modify multiple files, call terminal or MCP tools, and respond to linter, test, or runtime feedback. Checkpoints offer a recovery point, but developers should still review every command and maintain independent version control.
Verify code, data, and usage
Inspect diffs, run the repository’s full checks, and assess dependencies, security, and architecture. Review the current Devin/Windsurf plan, usage allowance, memories, indexing, web retrieval, third-party integrations, retention, and enterprise controls before team deployment.
How to set up Windsurf
Install the current client
Download the official macOS, Windows, or Linux client, sign in, and confirm the product and plan shown in the application.
Review imported settings
Import VS Code or Cursor configuration if useful, then check incompatible AI and proprietary extensions.
Open a safe pilot
Use a test repository, SSH target, or dev container and create a clean source-control checkpoint before agent work.
Define repository rules
Document architecture, approved commands, protected files, dependency policy, and test expectations.
Plan before editing
Use Cascade Chat to inspect and propose a plan, then switch to Code only for a bounded task with reviewed tool access.
Review data and output
Inspect every diff and command, run standard checks, and review memories, MCP, web access, retention terms, and usage controls.
Windsurf FAQs
Is Windsurf now Devin Desktop?
The transition is active: official Windsurf pricing redirects to Devin, and Windsurf documentation redirects into Devin Desktop documentation while still referencing Windsurf in several places.
How much does Windsurf cost now?
The official redirect currently lists Free, Pro at $20 per month, Max at $200, Teams at $80 per month plus $40 per full developer seat, and custom Enterprise pricing.
What does Cascade do?
Cascade provides repository-aware Chat and Code modes, planning, multi-file edits, terminal tool calls, linter feedback, memories, rules, checkpoints, and optional integrations.
Which operating systems are supported?
The current desktop onboarding documentation lists macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Does Windsurf train on private code?
Pilot terms say customer data is not used for model training, but feature-specific persistence and third-party terms can apply. Buyers should verify the operative agreement for their exact plan.
Listing reviewed 2026-07-15. Product details and pricing can change; verify important terms on the provider's website.
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