AI and Windsurf: A Cursor Alternative for AI Coding

Windsurf is a code editor from Codeium with deep AI built in. Its 'Cascade' mode can plan and execute multi-step changes across your project — like adding a whole feature at once.

Some examples

• Cascade: 'Add user authentication across the whole app.'
• Watch it edit multiple files and run terminal commands.
• Approve or reject each change before it sticks.
• Compare it to Cursor — pick the one that fits your brain.

Try it!

Try Windsurf's free tier on a small project. Run one Cascade task. Compare the experience to Cursor if you've used it.

Windsurf (by Codeium) has Cascade — an agent that reads your repo, plans changes, and executes them. It's a direct rival to Cursor and worth trying for free.

Some examples

• Cascade reads your codebase before suggesting a change.
• Built-in command terminal so the agent can run tests.
• Free tier is generous compared to Cursor.
• Try both Cursor and Windsurf — pick the vibe you like.

Try it!

Install Windsurf and clone any project. Have Cascade add one feature. Compare the experience to Cursor.

Cascade plans changes across multiple files (component + types + tests) and shows you the diff.

Some examples

• Use it for refactors that touch many files.
• Review every diff — don't accept all at once.
• Pair with git so you can revert.

Try it!

In a small project, ask Cascade to add one feature that touches 3 files. Review every diff.

Understanding "Windsurf: AI that edits multiple files at once" in practice: Understanding AI in this area gives you a real advantage in how you work and think. Windsurf's Cascade mode reasons across your whole codebase, not one file at a time — and knowing how to apply this gives you a concrete advantage.

• Apply the concepts from Windsurf: AI that edits multiple files at once directly
• Identify where this fits into your current workflow
• Measure the before/after difference when you apply this
• Iterate and refine — first attempts rarely nail it

1. 1Apply Windsurf: AI that edits multiple files at once in a live project this week
2. 2Write a short summary of what you'd do differently after learning this
3. 3Share one insight with a colleague