Windsurf

Cascade is an intelligent AI agent that thinks multiple steps ahead to anticipate your coding needs and perform complex tasks automatically. It handles multi-file edits, fixes issues proactively, and maintains context across your entire codebase. Unlike traditional code editors that require constant prompting, Cascade works collaboratively to suggest improvements, catch errors before they occur, and streamline your development workflow without context-switching between tools.

Windsurf is an AI-native code editor built from the ground up for seamless AI collaboration, while VS Code is a traditional text editor with AI extensions. Windsurf features the Cascade agent for agentic coding, automatic lint fixing, and Memories for persistent codebase knowledge. It's compatible with VS Code extensions but offers superior AI integration with support for premium models like GPT-5.2-Codex and SWE-1.5, making it more powerful for developers who want AI assistance without switching contexts.

Yes, Windsurf provides comprehensive syntax highlighting for all major programming languages including Python, Java, Golang, JavaScript, TypeScript, and more. The editor automatically detects your language and applies appropriate highlighting, making code easier to read and debug. Combined with intelligent code completion and real-time diagnostics, Windsurf's syntax highlighting works seamlessly with the Cascade agent to enhance your coding experience across any project or language.

Windsurf is fully compatible with JetBrains IDEs, allowing you to bring AI-powered coding capabilities to IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, and other JetBrains environments. This compatibility means you can maintain your existing development setup while gaining access to Cascade's intelligent agent, automatic lint fixing, and MCP tool integration. Enterprise teams can deploy Windsurf across mixed IDE environments to standardize AI-enhanced workflows.

Prompt credits are Windsurf's usage measurement for AI interactions with the Cascade agent and other AI features. The Free plan includes 25 credits monthly, Pro offers 500 credits, and Teams/Enterprise provide 500-1000+ credits per user. Each interaction with AI models consumes credits based on complexity. For most developers, the Pro plan's 500 credits are sufficient for daily coding tasks, with add-on credits available at $10 for 250 additional credits if needed.

Windsurf automatically runs diagnostics like pytest and pylint when you open a project, detecting code quality issues in real-time. The Cascade agent then fixes linting errors automatically without requiring manual intervention, saving hours of debugging time. This feature works across multiple files simultaneously and learns from your codebase structure through the Memories system. You can customize which linters to use and configure automatic fixing rules to match your team's coding standards.

Model Context Protocol (MCP) support allows Windsurf to connect with custom tools and services through standardized interfaces with one-click setup. This enables you to extend the editor's capabilities by integrating databases, APIs, testing frameworks, and other development tools directly into your AI-powered workflow. MCP makes Windsurf highly extensible for enterprise teams with specific toolchain requirements, allowing the Cascade agent to interact with your entire development ecosystem seamlessly.