Windsurf is a code editor with a built-in AI agent that comprehends the context of entire projects and automates cross-file tasks. It was acquired by Cognition, the parent company of Devin, in late 2025 and integrated with its autonomous capabilities.

How do I use Windsurf?

To use Windsurf, download and install it, open your project, assign specific tasks to the AI through dialogue, review its cross-file modifications, run tests to confirm, and then merge the changes.

What's the difference between Windsurf and Cursor?

Both are AI-powered code editors, but Windsurf places greater emphasis on the agent's ability to autonomously execute cross-file tasks and has integrated Devin's autonomous coding capabilities.

Is it safe to write code with Windsurf?

AI-generated code can contain bugs and may be misjudged, so it's essential to review and test it yourself. For sensitive projects, be mindful of the agent's access permissions to ensure security.

Windsurf Tutorial: Getting Started with the AI-Powered Code Editor

Windsurf is a code editor equipped with a powerful AI agent that understands entire projects and automates tasks across files. This tutorial will guide you on how to use it.

Built-in AI Agent Code Editor

Windsurf is a code editor that comes with a powerful built-in AI Agent, capable of understanding your entire project and automatically executing cross-file tasks. It was acquired by Cognition (the parent company of autonomous AI engineer Devin) at the end of 2025 and continues to integrate Devin's autonomous capabilities. This article will teach you how to use it.

What Windsurf Can Do

AI Agent understands the entire project context
Automatically executes cross-file development tasks
AI completion, rewriting, and bug fixing
Assigns complex tasks using natural language
Integrates Devin's autonomous coding capabilities

How to Get Started (Steps)

Download and install Windsurf
Open your project
Use AI dialogue to assign tasks (such as "Implement this feature and add tests")
Review its cross-file modifications
Run tests to confirm and then merge

Tips for Using it Better

Be specific and clear when assigning tasks
Take small steps: one task, review, and then the next
Make good use of tests as a safeguard
Review each modification, as AI can make mistakes

Things to Note

AI-generated code needs to be reviewed and tested
Be mindful of the Agent's access permissions for sensitive projects
Don't blindly trust automated results

TheAI Academy Summary and Review

Honestly, Windsurf represents the direction of AI editors towards being more autonomous - not just completing code, but understanding the entire project and automatically completing cross-file tasks. After being acquired by Cognition and integrating Devin's capabilities, it emphasizes "assigning and automatic execution" even more. For engineers, this kind of Agent-based editor can save a lot of repetitive work. However, the more autonomous it is, the more you need to be in control: its code can still have bugs and misjudgments, and the final responsibility for review and testing lies with you. Treat it as a powerful autonomous assistant, give it tasks, but always review the results. Extended reading: Cursor usage tutorial.

Brief review: Windsurf represents AI editors moving towards more autonomy, capable of understanding the entire project and automatically completing cross-file tasks - but the more autonomous it is, the more you need to be in control, and results must be reviewed and tested.

Sources

Official documentation and practical summaries of various tools.