What is Windsurf (formerly Codeium)
Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is a next-generation code editor designed with AI as its core feature. While based on VS Code, it was released in late 2024 as a unique platform that enables agent-driven coding.
Key Feature: Not just an AI plugin, but an integrated development environment built with an AI-first design philosophy.
Main Features
Cascade (AI Agent)
- Multi-step editing: Plan and execute changes across multiple files
- Tool invocation: Automatically execute search, analysis, writing, and terminal commands
- Deep context awareness: Understands the entire repository’s coding style and rules
- Workflow automation: Automate repetitive tasks with natural language
Tab + Supercomplete
- Fast autocomplete: Fill-in-the-middle and multi-line suggestions
- Terminal awareness: Completion that understands terminal context
Preview & Deploy
- Preview web apps within the editor
- Beta deployment to Netlify via Cascade tools
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 25 credits/month, basic features |
| Pro | $15/month | 500 credits, premium model access |
| Teams | $30/user/month | Team features, rules & policy management |
| Enterprise | $60/user/month | ZDR default, advanced security |
Credit System
- User Prompt credits: Consumed when sending messages to premium models
- Flow Action credits: Consumed for AI tool invocations (search, write, etc.)
- Pro Ultimate: Unlimited User Prompt credits, monthly Flow Action credits
Security & Deployment
- Zero Data Retention (ZDR): Option to not retain any code data
- Flexible deployment: SaaS, self-hosted, VPC, and hybrid support
Plugin vs Editor
Full agent experience is available in the Windsurf editor. VS Code/JetBrains plugins provide autocomplete and chat features (some editor-specific workflows not supported).
Official Links
Summary
Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is an innovative code editor designed around AI. It features deep context understanding through the Cascade agent and multi-file editing capabilities. You can start with the free plan, and there are comprehensive plans for professionals and teams. Recommended for those seeking a true AI-native development experience that goes beyond the traditional IDE + AI plugin combination.
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