Windsurf
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What is Windsurf?
Windsurf is an AI-native code editor whose built-in agent can plan, write and test multi-file changes from inside the IDE.
An AI-native IDE by Codeium that combines a highly collaborative local agent with background cloud agents to autonomously write, test, and deploy code.
Windsurf is an IDE built to keep developers in flow. It features a local collaborative agent named "Cascade" that deeply understands your actions, and integrates a cloud-based agent named "Devin". Developers can plan work locally and then delegate long-running tasks to background agents via a unified command center.
How it relates to Orbit
Orbit does not replace an editor-based agent like Windsurf; it handles the queue, approvals and records around agent work, and any MCP-capable client can read Orbit’s project state. See Connections & MCP for details.
When you would use it
You use Windsurf when you want an editor that functions as a collaborative workspace, allowing you to hand off time-consuming implementation work to autonomous agents while you focus on higher-level design.
Common operations
- Delegating tedious test coverage generation to a background cloud agent.
- Generating UI code directly by dropping images into the chat.
- Connecting to external services directly via built-in MCP support.
Frequently asked questions
Is Windsurf based on VS Code?
Yes, it is built on VS Code, so most extensions and settings carry over.
Can Windsurf work with Orbit?
Windsurf supports MCP, and Orbit exposes your projects as an MCP server any MCP-capable client can read. See Connections & MCP.