Windsurf Editor: The AI-First IDE Taking On Cursor in 2024

The landscape of AI-powered development tools is heating up. While GitHub Copilot has become a staple for many, and Cursor has carved out a niche as an "AI-first" editor, a new contender has entered the ring: Windsurf, from the creators of the popular Copilot alternative, Codeium.

Windsurf isn't just another autocompletion tool; it's a full-fledged IDE designed from the ground up for an autonomous, AI-driven workflow. But does it live up to the hype?

The Core Features: Beyond Autocomplete

Windsurf's power lies in a few key features that set it apart.

• Flow Mode: Autonomous task completion that can understand high-level requests and make changes across multiple files.
• Cascade: The underlying engine that provides deep, multi-file codebase context.
• Supercomplete: Advanced, highly contextual code predictions.
• Generous Free Tier: Includes a 2-week Pro trial and then 25 prompt credits per month.

Flow Mode: Autonomous Task Completion

This is Windsurf's standout feature. Instead of just suggesting code, you can give Flow Mode a high-level task, like "add a new endpoint to the API for fetching user profiles." It will then:

1. Analyze the codebase to understand the existing patterns.
2. Identify the files that need to be changed.
3. Generate the code for the new endpoint, including the route, handler, and any necessary data models.
4. Present a diff of all the proposed changes for you to review and approve.

This is a significant step towards autonomous development, where the AI acts as a junior developer, taking on well-defined tasks.

Windsurf vs. Cursor vs. Copilot

Feature	Windsurf	Cursor	Copilot
Autonomous Coding	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐
Codebase Awareness	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Stability	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Free Tier	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐
Extensions	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price (Pro)	$15/month	$20/month	$10/month

• Copilot is the least intrusive. It enhances your existing workflow.
• Cursor changes the workflow to be more chat-centric, allowing you to have a conversation with your codebase.
• Windsurf takes it a step further, aiming to automate entire tasks and positioning the developer as a reviewer or architect.

The Business Model: A Generous Free Tier

One of Windsurf's most appealing aspects is its pricing. It offers a free tier that starts with a 2-week Pro trial and then provides 25 prompt credits per month. While not as extensive as it once was, it's still a great way to test the platform. The Pro plan, at $15/month, offers 500 prompt credits and access to premium models.

My Honest Take

After using Windsurf for several weeks, here are my thoughts:

Pros:

• Flow mode is genuinely impressive for feature development.
• The free tier is incredibly generous.
• The UI is fast and responsive.

Cons:

• It's still a new product and has some bugs.
• The extension marketplace is limited compared to VS Code.
• It takes time to build trust in its autonomous capabilities.

Should You Try It?

Yes, if you:

• Love experimenting with cutting-edge AI tools.
• Frequently work on new projects or features where you can tolerate minor bugs.
• Are excited by the prospect of autonomous coding agents.

Stick with Cursor or VS Code + Copilot if you:

• Need absolute stability for client work.
• Rely heavily on a specific set of VS Code extensions.
• Prefer a more hands-on, line-by-line coding experience with AI assistance.

Conclusion

Windsurf represents a bold vision for the future of software development—one where the developer's role shifts from writing line-by-line code to defining tasks, reviewing AI-generated solutions, and focusing on higher-level architecture.

While it's still rough around the edges, its powerful features, strong backing from Codeium, and developer-friendly pricing make it a compelling option to watch in 2024. It may not replace your current IDE overnight, but it's pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI-assisted development.

Resources

• Windsurf Site
• Documentation
• Discord Community