Windsurf is an AI-native IDE from Codeium. It's built from the ground up around the idea that an AI assistant shouldn't be a bolted-on plugin — it should be embedded into how the editor thinks about your code. The result is an editor that feels more like a pair programmer than a tool.
The centrepiece of Windsurf is Cascade, its AI agent. Unlike standard autocomplete, Cascade can hold context across your entire codebase, follow multi-step instructions, and perform tasks that span multiple files. You can ask it to refactor a module, write tests for a function, or explain why something is broken — and it works with awareness of what's around the code, not just the line you're on.
Windsurf is specifically designed to reduce the interruptions that pull developers out of focus. The AI suggestions appear inline without modal popups or tab-switching. You can accept, reject, or adjust suggestions without breaking your train of thought. The editor itself is built on VS Code's foundation, so the interface is familiar and the extension ecosystem transfers over.
Windsurf is popular with developers who've tried GitHub Copilot and want something that goes further. It's particularly useful for working in large codebases where context matters — the kind of projects where a simple autocomplete tool runs out of runway. Enterprise teams can also self-host and configure the model used under the hood.
There's a free tier that gives you a meaningful amount of AI usage each month. Paid plans expand the context window, increase the number of Cascade actions available, and add team management features. It competes directly with Cursor in this space.
Share your experience to help others decide.
© Dev tools 2026. All rights reserved