Windsurf for Beginners: Complete Getting-Started Guide (2025)
Windsurf beginner guide 2025 — install + Codeium sign-in (4 steps), Tab autocomplete (unlimited free), Cascade AI agent (Cmd+L, reads your whole codebase, runs terminal commands, multi-file changes with diffs), inline AI edit (Cmd+I), Flows autonomous mode, @file/@folder context references. Free: 25 Cascade credits/day. Pro $15/mo. Built by Codeium — fastest-growing Cursor alternative.
1. What is Windsurf?
Windsurf is an AI-powered code editor built by Codeium — a direct Cursor alternative. Like Cursor, it is based on VS Code but with AI deeply integrated at every layer. Released publicly in November 2024, Windsurf quickly became the most-discussed alternative to Cursor.
What Windsurf adds over VS Code
Free vs Pro at a glance
- 25 Cascade user credits/day
- Unlimited Tab autocomplete
- Cascade AI agent (Cmd+L)
- Inline edit (Cmd+I)
- Flows mode
- VS Code settings import
- Unlimited Cascade
- Extended context window
- Priority model access
- Faster response times
2. Install Windsurf (4 steps)
Installation takes about 5 minutes. If you already use VS Code, your settings can transfer with minimal effort.
Go to windsurf.com — click "Download Windsurf"
Navigate to windsurf.com and click the Download button. Windsurf is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux. The installer is comparable in size to VS Code.
Install and open Windsurf — it opens like VS Code
On Mac: drag Windsurf to Applications. On Windows: run the .exe installer. On Linux: run the .AppImage or package. The interface is immediately familiar if you have used VS Code.
Sign up or sign in with a Codeium account (free)
Windsurf requires a Codeium account for AI features. Sign up at codeium.com — it is free. Signing in unlocks Tab autocomplete and Cascade immediately.
Open a folder/project — same as VS Code
File → Open Folder, or drag a folder onto the Windsurf window. VS Code users: import your settings via File → Preferences → Open User Settings JSON and copy your settings.json — or use the "Import VS Code Settings" option in Windsurf settings.
3. Your first 3 things to try
Open any existing project or create a new file. Try each of these three things in order — they cover the three core interaction modes in Windsurf.
Tab autocomplete — works instantly
Start typing any code and Windsurf predicts your next tokens. Press Tab to accept. Tab autocomplete is unlimited on the free tier. It is more context-aware than GitHub Copilot because Windsurf indexes and understands your whole codebase, not just the open file.
Cascade (Cmd/Ctrl+L) — the power feature
Press Cmd+L (Mac) or Ctrl+L (Windows/Linux) to open the Cascade sidebar. Unlike ChatGPT, Cascade reads your actual files — you do not need to paste anything in. Try this first prompt:
Cascade reads your codebase and responds with a structured explanation — this is how you verify it has indexed your project correctly.
AI Command Palette (Cmd/Ctrl+I) — inline edit at cursor
Highlight a function or block of code. Press Cmd+I (Mac) or Ctrl+I (Windows/Linux). A text input appears inline — type what to change, and Cascade rewrites the selected code in place:
4. Cascade — the power feature
Cascade is more than a chat — it is an AI agent that operates across your whole project. Understanding what it can do unlocks Windsurf's real value.
What Cascade can do
How to use Cascade effectively
Flows mode Autonomous operation
Cascade runs in Flow mode by default — it works autonomously until it needs your approval. Unlike ChatGPT, you do not need to paste files in or guide each step.
@references Point Cascade at specific files or folders
Type @filename.ts to reference a specific file, or @folder to include a directory. This focuses Cascade without it having to discover files on its own.
Review diffs Accept, reject, or revise each change
Cascade shows every proposed change as a diff. Review like a PR — accept individual files, reject others, or ask Cascade to revise a specific change.
Write vs Chat Write mode vs Chat mode
Write mode lets Cascade make changes to your files. Chat mode gives explanations only. Toggle in the Cascade sidebar — use Chat when you just want to understand code without changing it.
5. 5 practical workflows
Workflow 1: Explain a codebase (new project)
Open a new project → Cmd+L → ask:
Cascade reads the whole file tree and gives you a structured answer. This is the fastest way to orient yourself in an unfamiliar codebase.
Workflow 2: Bug fix
See a bug or error → Cmd+L → paste the error and ask:
Cascade reads the relevant files, identifies the issue, and proposes a fix with a diff. You see exactly what changes it wants to make before applying.
Workflow 3: Add a feature (Flows mode)
Cascade explores your components, adds the state management, creates the toggle component, updates the CSS — showing every step for review. Flows mode means it keeps working without you guiding each step.
Workflow 4: Inline edit (Cmd+I)
Best for quick, scoped changes to a single function or block:
Highlight the function → Cmd+I → the change appears inline → Tab to accept. Fast and non-disruptive to your flow.
Workflow 5: Terminal integration
Cascade can open a terminal and run commands — it always asks first:
Cascade runs your test suite → reads the output → identifies which test is failing and why → fixes the code → re-runs tests to verify. All in one Flows session.
6. Windsurf vs Cursor — should you switch?
Both are excellent VS Code-based AI editors. Here is an honest comparison for someone choosing between them.
| Windsurf | Cursor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $15/mo Pro | $20/mo Pro |
| Free tier | 25 Cascade credits/day | 500 fast requests/mo total |
| AI agent | Cascade (Flows mode) | Composer |
| Tab completion | Next-token prediction | Next-edit prediction (better) |
| Model choice | Codeium-managed | Claude, GPT-4o, Gemini |
| Base | VS Code fork | VS Code fork |
- $5/mo cheaper than Cursor Pro
- More generous free tier (25 credits/day vs 500/mo)
- Cascade Flows mode is excellent
- Terminal integration strong
- Tab next-edit prediction is better (predicts your next edit, not just next token)
- Wider model choice (Claude/GPT-4o/Gemini)
- More established, larger community
7. Tips for best results
Tip 1: Give Cascade context upfront
Before complex requests, describe your stack:
Paste this before architecture-level requests. Cascade uses it to make better technology choices and avoid suggesting packages you're not using.
Tip 2: Review every diff before accepting
Cascade is fast but not perfect — read the proposed changes before accepting, especially for multi-file changes. Treat it like a PR review: you are responsible for the final code in your repo.
Tip 3: Use Flows for big tasks, Cmd+I for small edits
Flows mode handles architecture-level changes that touch many files. The inline command palette (Cmd+I) is for quick 1-function tweaks — faster and less disruptive to your coding flow.
Tip 4: Use @references to focus Cascade
Instead of letting Cascade search your whole codebase every time, reference key files directly:
@package.json show Cascade your dependencies and scripts @tsconfig.json give Cascade your TypeScript config Tip 5: Check status if Cascade stops responding
Windsurf's AI features depend on Codeium's backend. If Cascade stops responding or gives degraded answers, check prismix.dev — it monitors Windsurf's AI status in real time so you can confirm if it's an outage, not your code.
Monitor Windsurf status and uptime at Prismix
Before starting a long Cascade session, check that Windsurf's AI backend is running normally. Prismix monitors Windsurf in real time — get free alerts so you know immediately when there's an outage.
FAQ
Is Windsurf free?
Yes. Windsurf has a free tier with 25 Cascade user credits per day and unlimited Tab autocomplete. Windsurf Pro is $15/month for unlimited Cascade, extended context, and priority model access.
What is Cascade in Windsurf?
Cascade is Windsurf's AI agent — it reads your entire codebase, runs terminal commands, makes multi-file changes, and iterates based on test output, all in one flow. Unlike a simple chat, Cascade can operate autonomously and shows you diffs for every change before applying.
Is Windsurf better than Cursor?
Both are excellent. Windsurf ($15/mo) has a more generous free tier (25 Cascade credits/day) and strong Flows mode. Cursor ($20/mo) has better Tab next-edit prediction and wider model choice. Try Windsurf free first — if you want Cursor's Tab prediction specifically, it's worth the $5/mo premium.
How does Windsurf compare to GitHub Copilot?
Windsurf replaces your VS Code with a smarter version; GitHub Copilot is an extension inside VS Code. Windsurf's Cascade reads your whole codebase; Copilot has limited codebase context. Windsurf ($15/mo Pro) gives you full agentic AI; Copilot ($10/mo) is better for lightweight inline completion inside your existing editor.