Windsurf

Windsurf is an AI-native IDE originally developed by Codeium and later acquired by OpenAI, positioning it at the intersection of two major AI ecosystems. The editor is built around the concept of agentic coding, where the AI doesn't just suggest code but actively participates in multi-step development workflows through its signature Cascade feature.

Cascade is Windsurf's autonomous coding agent that can plan and execute complex, multi-file changes while maintaining awareness of your actions in the editor. It combines real-time collaboration with autonomous execution, understanding your intent from both explicit commands and implicit editing patterns. The system can read documentation, search codebases, run terminal commands, and iterate on errors without constant prompting.

Windsurf provides intelligent code completions powered by Codeium's proprietary models alongside access to frontier models for chat and agent tasks. The editor supports Supercomplete, which predicts your next action based on recent edits and cursor position. Its Flows system maintains context across multiple interactions, so the AI remembers what you've been working on throughout your session.

The free tier is notably generous, making Windsurf accessible to individual developers, while Pro and Enterprise tiers add higher rate limits and team management features. The OpenAI acquisition signals continued investment and integration with cutting-edge models.