How to Use Windsurf
Let AI plan, write, and run your entire project autonomously.
⬇️Download — windsurf.com — free download for Mac, Windows, LinuxWindsurf is a code editor with Cascade — an AI agent that doesn't just write code, it plans the whole project, installs packages, runs commands, and fixes errors on its own. You describe what you want to build, then watch it work through the entire project autonomously.
✓ Perfect for you if...
- ▸People who want the AI to handle as much as possible end-to-end
- ▸Multi-file projects where you want the AI to plan the structure first
- ▸Developers who want an agentic workflow without micromanaging each step
Get set up in 5 steps
Follow these in order — each step takes about 1–2 minutes.
Download Windsurf
Go to windsurf.com and click "Download." Free for Mac, Windows, and Linux.
Install it
Open the downloaded file and install it like any other app.
Create a free account
When Windsurf opens, it will prompt you to sign in. Create a free account at windsurf.com — no credit card needed.
Open or create a project folder
Go to File → Open Folder and select an empty folder on your computer where your project will live.
Open Cascade and describe your app
Find the Cascade AI panel — it's in the sidebar or accessible from the top menu. Type what you want to build. Cascade will plan and start building the whole project.
Your first prompt — paste this right now
Cascade will plan the file structure, write all the components, and set up the project automatically. Let it run without interrupting — it will tell you when it's done and how to start the app.
Build a simple note-taking app for personal use. Requirements: - Users can create notes with a title and body text - Notes are listed on the left sidebar, sorted newest first - Clicking a note opens it for reading and editing - Changes save automatically as I type (no save button needed) - Users can delete a note with a delete button - Notes persist across page refreshes - Clean, minimal design — white background, simple typography Use React with a simple local storage backend. Walk me through what you're building as you go so I can follow along. Let me know when it's ready to run.
3 tips that make a real difference
1. Let Cascade run without interrupting
Unlike other AI tools, Cascade works best when you give it a complete description and let it work through the whole plan. Interrupting mid-build can confuse it. Wait for it to finish a step before asking for changes.
2. Cascade can install packages and run commands by itself
You'll see Cascade install npm packages, run scripts, and start a dev server automatically. This is intentional — it handles the technical setup so you don't have to.
3. Cascade has two modes — building and asking
Windsurf separates active building from general questions. When you want Cascade to write code, tell it to build. When you just want to ask something without triggering changes, phrase it as a question. Check the Cascade panel for any mode toggle.
Ready to pick your first idea?
We've curated the best project ideas specifically matched to Windsurf — filtered by what actually works well with this tool.
Browse Windsurf project ideas →Also learn how to use