By FreePortal Team · Reviewed by FreePortal Editorial Team · Last updated October 2026

Windsurf AI Code Editor: Free Download, Install, and What’s Changing in 2026

An agent-first IDE built around Cascade—now evolving into Devin Desktop, with the same editor, plans, and extensions.

Is Windsurf Free?

Windsurf has a Free tier with a light daily/weekly agent quota, unlimited Tab completions, and limited model access. The editor itself is free to download and use; agent usage and premium models consume quota. Paid individual plans are Pro at $20/month and Max at $200/month. Teams pricing is $80/month base + $40/month per full seat.

Windsurf was acquired by Cognition in July 2025 and began transitioning to the Devin Desktop brand on June 2, 2026. Your existing plan, extensions, and settings carry over automatically. The Free tier is best for evaluation; daily agentic workflows will likely require Pro.

System Requirements

Windows: Windows 10 (64-bit) or later.
macOS: Latest two major versions with Apple security support. macOS 10.15 is not supported.
Linux: glibc ≥ 2.28 and glibcxx ≥ 3.4.25 (covers Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 10+, Fedora 36+, RHEL 8+).
RAM: 8 GB minimum; 16 GB recommended for large projects and heavy Cascade use.
Storage: ~500 MB for the app, plus space for projects and local indexes.
Internet: Required for agent features, cloud agents, and updates.

How to Install Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

Download from the official site. Visit windsurf.com. The download page detects your OS.
Choose your package. Windows, macOS, or Linux. Linux users need glibc 2.28+.
Run the installer and follow the prompts. Windsurf installs like any desktop application.
Launch the app from your Start menu or Applications folder. On first launch you may see the Devin Desktop branding; the editor underneath is the same.

Getting Started

Create an account with email or GitHub. This enables Cascade/Devin Local and syncs settings.
Import your setup from VS Code or Cursor if prompted. Extensions, themes, and keybindings transfer.
Open a project folder. Windsurf indexes the codebase so the agent can reason across files, not just the open buffer.
Open Cascade with Cmd/Ctrl+L. This is the agent chat where you describe tasks in natural language.
Choose a mode with Cmd/Ctrl+.: Ask (read-only Q&A), Plan (implementation plan before code), or Code (autonomous multi-file edits).
Try an inline edit: select code, press Cmd/Ctrl+I, describe the change, and accept or reject the diff.

Useful Tips

Agent workflow

🧠 Cascade is agentic, not just chat. It plans, reads files, edits across the project, and can run terminal commands. Give it clear goals rather than short prompts.
📋 Use Plan mode for complex work. Plan mode writes a Markdown implementation plan to ~/.windsurf/plans. Refine the plan, then switch to Code mode to execute—useful for multi-session tasks.
⚡ Inline edit for surgical changes. Cmd/Ctrl+I is faster than the full panel when you know exactly what to change.
📦 Add project rules. Use AGENTS.md or .windsurf/rules/ to give the agent persistent instructions (style, frameworks, patterns to avoid). Devin Desktop also reads .devin/rules/ and can import Cursor .mdc rules.

Setup and migration

🔄 Import from VS Code or Cursor on first launch. If you miss the prompt, re-run the import from Settings.
🤖 Know the models. Paid plans include Windsurf’s SWE models (SWE-1.5 and newer) plus frontier models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. Model choice affects quota consumption.
☁️ Cloud agents (Pro and above). Pro and higher plans can run background agents while you continue in the editor.
🔒 Review privacy controls. Check Settings for data-retention options before using Windsurf on proprietary code. Enterprise plans add enforced controls.

Windsurf vs Cursor vs VS Code + Copilot

Windsurf (Devin Desktop): A VS Code fork built around an agent-first workflow with explicit **Plan mode**. Strong for multi-file tasks where you want the AI to propose a plan before editing. Free tier with light agent quota; Pro $20/mo, Max $200/mo. Now part of the Cognition/Devin ecosystem. Best for developers who want structured, agent-led changes.
Cursor: A VS Code fork with AI integrated at every level—Inline Edit, Chat, and Agent. Current plans: Plus $8/mo, Premium $30/mo, Super $100/mo, Ultra $200/mo. The old $20 Pro is a legacy plan. Best for the most mature integrated AI experience and a wide model selection at higher tiers.
VS Code + GitHub Copilot: Microsoft’s editor plus Copilot. Free Copilot tier with monthly limits; paid from $10/mo. VS Code 1.143 (October 2026) made Copilot the default agent harness. Best for teams already on GitHub, enterprises needing Microsoft support, and developers who want a lightweight editor with optional AI.

All three are viable. Windsurf stands out for Plan mode and its agent-first design; Cursor has the most polished all-round integration; VS Code + Copilot is the safest low-cost entry with the largest extension ecosystem.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

🔑 “Cascade unavailable” after install. Sign in with GitHub or email. Cascade (and Devin Local) require authentication even on the Free tier.
🐌 First-launch indexing is slow. Large projects can take several minutes. Wait for the progress indicator before expecting full-speed agent responses.
🧩 Extensions did not import. Windsurf imports VS Code/Cursor extensions only on first launch. Re-run the import from Settings or install extensions manually.
💬 Agent responses are cut off. Usually a context-window limit. Break the task into smaller steps, use Plan mode, or reference specific files with @ mentions.
🚫 Free-tier quota runs out quickly. The Free tier is a test drive. Pro at $20/month is the practical upgrade for regular agent use.
🖤 Linux: app won’t launch. Check glibc ≥ 2.28 and glibcxx ≥ 3.4.25. Older distributions may need a newer base or a container.
☁️ Cloud agents missing. Cloud agents require Pro or above. Confirm your plan is active in the subscription portal.
🔄 Confusion after the Devin rebrand. The app is now Devin Desktop. Your plan, extensions, and settings migrate automatically. If download links redirect to Devin, use the download page and look for the desktop/IDE option.
⌨️ surf command not found. Devin Desktop replaces the surf shell command with devin-desktop. Install it from the command palette (Shell Command: Install ‘devin-desktop’). Legacy surf aliases still ship but are deprecated.
🤖 Cascade is being retired. Cascade works through July 2026; afterward, Devin Local takes over with the same pricing model. If you rely on Cascade-specific workflows, test Devin Local before the transition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Windsurf still called Windsurf?

On June 2, 2026, Windsurf began rolling out as Devin Desktop via an over-the-air update. The IDE, extensions, keybindings, and your existing plan are unchanged; only the name and default view (Agent Command Center) are new. Many users still call it Windsurf, and windsurf.com remains the account/settings portal.

What happened to Cascade?

Cascade—the original agent chat—remains available through July 2026. It is being replaced by Devin Local, a more efficient local agent with subagent support and sandboxing. Pricing for Devin Local is the same as Cascade, so your quota behaves identically.

Does Windsurf support VS Code extensions?

Yes. Windsurf is a VS Code fork and supports the VS Code extension ecosystem. On first launch it can import extensions, themes, and keybindings from VS Code or Cursor.

Can I use Windsurf offline?

The editor works offline, but Cascade/Devin Local and AI features require an internet connection. Tab completions may work briefly from cache, but agentic workflows stop offline.

What are the main keyboard shortcuts?

Cmd/Ctrl+L opens Cascade. Cmd/Ctrl+I opens inline edit on a selection. Tab accepts an autocomplete. Cmd/Ctrl+. cycles Cascade modes (Ask → Plan → Code). These four cover most daily work.

Is Windsurf good for beginners?

Yes—Plan mode is especially useful because it explains implementation before writing code. The risk is over-reliance; use the agent to understand the codebase, not to skip learning it.

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