Windsurf
Windsurf was renamed Devin Desktop in June 2026 after Cognition (the company behind Devin) acquired it in July 2025, following a $3B OpenAI deal that fell through. The change shipped as an over-the-air update -- existing Windsurf accounts, plans, and settings carried over automatically to Devin Desktop, which now runs on Devin Local instead of the original Cascade agent.
What is Windsurf?
AI-powered IDE by Codeium. Features Cascade agentic AI that can autonomously take multi-step coding actions.
Windsurf is an AI-native IDE built around Cascade, an agent that plans and executes multi-file changes across a codebase rather than only suggesting single-file edits.
What are Windsurf's key features?
Cascade agent
A deeply context-aware coding agent that can plan and execute multi-file changes across a codebase, not just single-file suggestions.
AI-native IDE
Built from the ground up around AI assistance rather than an extension bolted onto an existing editor.
Real-time codebase awareness
Understands the structure and dependencies of the whole project, not just the currently open file.
Inline and chat-based editing
Supports both quick inline suggestions and longer conversational editing sessions depending on the task.
Terminal integration
Can run and interpret terminal commands as part of completing a coding task, not just edit files.
Multi-file refactoring
Applies consistent changes across many related files in one pass rather than one at a time.
What are Windsurf's pros and cons?
Pros
- Cascade agent can autonomously handle multi-step coding tasks
- Full AI-native IDE experience, not just a plugin
- Good balance of autocomplete and agentic capabilities
- Reasonably priced Pro tier compared to competitors
Cons
- Credit system can run out fast with heavy agentic use
- Newer product with a smaller plugin ecosystem than VS Code
- Some advanced features still maturing
What can you use Windsurf for?
How much does Windsurf cost?
Windsurf offers a free tier with limited Cascade credits, plus paid Pro and Teams plans for higher usage and enterprise features.
Free
- Limited Cascade credits/mo
- Core AI code completion
- Chat assistant
Pro
- More Cascade credits/mo
- Faster premium model access
- Priority support
Teams
- Pooled team credits
- Admin controls
- Centralized billing
How to use Windsurf
- Download Windsurf (built on VS Code's open-source base) and open your project.
- Use Cascade to describe a multi-step task in plain language and let it plan the changes.
- Review the proposed diffs across files before accepting them.
- Use inline chat for smaller, quick edits within a single file.
- Iterate conversationally, refining the agent's output as the task evolves.
Best Windsurf alternatives
Cursor
The closest direct competitor, also an AI-native fork of VS Code with a similar agent-driven workflow.
GitHub Copilot
A lighter-weight option if you want inline completions inside your existing editor rather than a dedicated AI-first IDE.
Claude Code
A terminal-native alternative for developers who prefer command-line agentic coding over a full IDE.
Is Windsurf worth it?
Windsurf is no longer the product's name -- Cognition renamed it Devin Desktop in June 2026, after acquiring the company in July 2025 when a planned OpenAI acquisition collapsed. Existing installs updated automatically, with Cascade replaced by Devin Local as the core agent. If you're comparing AI-native coding editors today, look up Devin Desktop instead; Cursor remains the closest direct competitor in that category.
How we write this page: details come from the tool's official site, documentation and pricing page, plus published reviews where noted. We have not tested every feature hands-on, and prices and limits change, so confirm them on the official site before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windsurf still available?
Not under that name. Cognition renamed Windsurf to Devin Desktop in June 2026, about a year after acquiring the company. Existing Windsurf installs updated automatically.
Why was Windsurf renamed?
Cognition (maker of Devin) acquired Windsurf in July 2025 after a planned $3B OpenAI acquisition fell through. Google separately paid to license Windsurf's technology and hire part of its team into DeepMind. Cognition kept the editor and renamed it Devin Desktop in June 2026.
Do I need to do anything to switch to Devin Desktop?
No. The rename shipped as an over-the-air update -- existing plans, extensions, and keybindings carried over automatically to Devin Desktop.
What changed between Windsurf and Devin Desktop?
Cascade, Windsurf's original agent, was replaced by Devin Local, and the product is now organized around an agent command center rather than a standalone editor-first experience.
What's the closest alternative to Windsurf/Devin Desktop?
Cursor remains the closest direct competitor -- also an AI-native fork of VS Code with a similar agent-driven workflow. Claude Code is the terminal-native alternative if you'd rather not use a full IDE.
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