Windsurf is Codeium's agentic IDE — built from the ground up for AI-first development. Unlike Cursor, Windsurf's "Cascade" agent can plan and execute multi-step tasks autonomously, understanding your entire codebase in context.
| Feature | Windsurf | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| AI Agent | Cascade — fully autonomous multi-step | Composer — step by step |
| Codebase context | Entire repo indexed automatically | Manual @codebase tagging |
| Task execution | Plans + executes autonomously | Asks for approval each step |
| Price | Free tier available, Pro $15/mo | Free tier, Pro $20/mo |
| Base editor | Built on VSCode fork | Built on VSCode fork |
| Best for | Autonomous multi-file tasks | Precise, controlled edits |
Cascade is Windsurf's autonomous agent. These prompts are designed for multi-step tasks that Cascade can plan and execute on its own.
I need you to implement a complete user authentication system for this Next.js app. It should include: (1) a /login page with email/password form, (2) a /signup page, (3) JWT token handling, (4) protected route middleware that redirects unauthenticated users to /login, (5) a useAuth() hook for accessing user state, and (6) a logout button in the header. Use NextAuth.js with the credentials provider. Look at the existing codebase structure first, then implement everything needed without breaking existing functionality.
Refactor this JavaScript project to TypeScript. Please: (1) analyze the full codebase to understand all data structures and function signatures, (2) add proper TypeScript types throughout, (3) create interfaces for all major data objects, (4) add a tsconfig.json if one doesn't exist, (5) fix any type errors that arise, and (6) make sure the build still passes after refactoring. Work through the files systematically and make sure nothing breaks.
Add unit tests to this codebase using Vitest and React Testing Library. First, analyze the most critical/complex files that have no tests. Then: (1) write tests for the 5 most important utility functions, (2) write component tests for the 3 most important UI components, (3) write integration tests for the main user flows, (4) aim for at least 70% coverage on critical paths. Show me what you're planning to test before you start.
Use these in Windsurf's chat panel for quick questions, explanations, and targeted help.
Explain this code to me in plain English: @[filename]. I need to understand: (1) what problem it's solving, (2) how the main algorithm/logic works, (3) any design patterns being used and why, (4) potential edge cases or failure modes, and (5) what I should know before modifying it.
I want to add [feature] to this codebase. Before writing any code, I want to understand the best approach. Please: (1) analyze the existing codebase to understand relevant patterns, (2) suggest 2-3 implementation approaches with tradeoffs, (3) recommend which approach fits best with the existing architecture, (4) outline which files will need to change and in what order. Only give me the plan — I'll ask you to implement it once I approve.
Analyze @[filename or component] for performance issues. Look for: unnecessary re-renders, expensive computations that should be memoized, large bundle imports that could be lazy-loaded, N+1 queries or waterfalls, and unoptimized images or assets. Prioritize the top 3 issues by impact and show me exactly how to fix each one.
Perform a security audit on @[filename]. Check for: SQL injection vulnerabilities, XSS attack vectors, exposed sensitive data in logs or responses, missing authentication/authorization checks, insecure dependencies, and any other security issues. List each issue with severity (Critical/High/Medium/Low) and show me the fix.
Windsurf's "Flows" feature lets you create reusable prompt workflows. These are great starting points.
Add a comprehensive JSDoc/TSDoc comment to this function explaining: what it does, all parameters with types and descriptions, the return value, any thrown errors, and a usage example.
This component fetches data but has no loading or error handling. Add: a skeleton loader while data is fetching, a user-friendly error message with retry button if fetch fails, and empty state if data returns empty array.
This component only works on desktop. Make it fully responsive with: mobile-first CSS, proper breakpoints for tablet and desktop, touch-friendly tap targets (min 44px), and a hamburger menu if there's navigation.
This database query is slow. Analyze it and: identify what's causing the performance issue, suggest the right index to add, rewrite the query if it can be optimized, and estimate the performance improvement.
Compare Cursor, Bolt.new, v0, Vibe Coding, and all the top AI dev tools.
Browse All Guides →