Switching from Cursor to Windsurf is straightforward — both editors are built on VS Code, so your extensions, themes, and muscle memory mostly carry over. The differences that matter are in AI behavior, pricing structure, and workflow patterns that take a few days to adjust to.
This guide walks through the full migration: why developers switch, what to prepare, the step-by-step process, and the gotchas to watch for after you’ve moved. For a side-by-side feature comparison, see our Windsurf vs Cursor breakdown.
Why Developers Switch
Price Difference
Cursor Pro costs $20/month with a credit pool that depletes as you use AI features. Heavy users on complex projects can burn through credits mid-month. Cursor Pro+ ($60/mo) and Ultra ($200/mo) offer larger pools but at significant cost.
Windsurf Pro costs approximately $15/month with a daily quota model — 50 premium interactions per day that reset every 24 hours. You can never run out for the month; you just wait until tomorrow. For developers who use AI steadily rather than in bursts, this model is more predictable.
Cascade vs Agent Mode
Windsurf’s Cascade is its agentic AI system. It monitors your file changes, terminal output, and linter errors in real time, then proactively suggests fixes and next steps. The “Flow” awareness means Cascade understands what you’re working on across files without you explicitly adding context.
Cursor’s Agent mode is powerful but more manual — you direct it with prompts, add files to context, and approve changes. Some developers prefer Cascade’s proactive approach; others prefer Cursor’s explicit control.
Other Reasons
- Windsurf’s free tier includes Tab autocomplete (Cursor’s free tier is more limited)
- Preference for Windsurf’s UI and sidebar layout
- Team pricing differences ($30/user vs $40/user)
- Wanting to evaluate both tools before committing long-term
Step 1: Audit Your Cursor Setup
Before installing Windsurf, document what you’re currently using in Cursor.
Export Your Extensions List
Open Cursor’s terminal and run:
code --list-extensions > cursor-extensions.txtThis creates a text file with every installed extension. Windsurf supports the same VS Code extension marketplace, so most extensions install directly.
Note Your Custom Settings
Open your Cursor settings (JSON) and save a copy:
- File → Preferences → Settings → click the
{}icon (top right) to opensettings.json - Copy the contents to a backup file
Key settings to note:
- Font family and size
- Tab size and formatting preferences
- Theme and icon pack
- Language-specific settings
- Custom keybindings (
keybindings.json)
Document Your AI Configuration
If you’ve customized Cursor’s AI behavior, note:
- Preferred model (GPT-4o, Claude, etc.)
- Custom system prompts or rules files (
.cursorrules) - Context settings (which files/folders are included/excluded)
- Any codebase indexing preferences
Step 2: Install Windsurf
Download Windsurf from windsurf.com. It installs alongside Cursor — you don’t need to uninstall Cursor first. Running both in parallel lets you compare and fall back if needed.
First Launch
On first launch, Windsurf offers to import settings from VS Code. If Cursor is your default VS Code-based editor, it may detect and offer to import those settings automatically. Accept this if prompted — it brings over themes, font settings, and general preferences.
If the auto-import doesn’t trigger:
- Open Windsurf’s Command Palette (
Ctrl+Shift+P/Cmd+Shift+P) - Search for “Import Settings”
- Point it to your Cursor settings directory
Step 3: Reinstall Extensions
Open Windsurf’s terminal and install your extensions from the saved list:
cat cursor-extensions.txt | xargs -L 1 windsurf --install-extensionAlternatively, install manually from the Extensions sidebar (Ctrl+Shift+X). Search for each extension by name — the marketplace is the same.
Extensions That Need Attention
Most VS Code extensions work identically. A few categories to verify:
- AI extensions (GitHub Copilot, Codeium, etc.): Disable these to avoid conflicts with Windsurf’s built-in AI. Running multiple AI completions simultaneously causes confusion.
- Git extensions (GitLens, Git Graph): Work normally. No changes needed.
- Language servers (Python, Rust, Go, TypeScript): Work normally. Re-verify your interpreter/SDK paths in Windsurf’s settings if they were set explicitly.
- Theme/icon packs: Install the same ones. Windsurf renders them identically.
Step 4: Configure Windsurf’s AI Features
This is where the real differences emerge. Read our Windsurf review for a deep dive on these features.
Cascade (Agent Mode)
Cascade is Windsurf’s primary AI interface, accessible from the sidebar. Unlike Cursor’s Agent mode, Cascade:
- Automatically detects context from your open files, recent edits, and terminal output
- Suggests next steps proactively — if your tests fail, Cascade may offer a fix before you ask
- Applies multi-file changes with a single approval step
To configure Cascade:
- Open Windsurf Settings → AI → Cascade
- Choose your preferred model
- Set context sensitivity (how much of your workspace Cascade monitors)
- Configure auto-suggestion frequency (aggressive, moderate, or on-demand)
Tab Autocomplete
Windsurf includes Tab autocomplete on all tiers, including free. It works similarly to Cursor’s Tab feature — context-aware, multi-line suggestions that you accept with Tab.
Rules Files
Cursor uses .cursorrules for project-specific AI instructions. Windsurf uses .windsurfrules in the same format. To migrate:
cp .cursorrules .windsurfrulesThe syntax is identical — plain text instructions that guide the AI’s behavior for your project. For a detailed look at Cursor’s approach, see our Cursor review.
Step 5: Adjust Your Workflow
Keyboard Shortcuts
Both editors inherit VS Code’s default shortcuts, so most keys work the same. The AI-specific shortcuts differ:
| Action | Cursor | Windsurf |
|---|---|---|
| Open AI chat | Ctrl+L | Ctrl+L |
| Inline edit | Ctrl+K | Ctrl+K |
| Accept suggestion | Tab | Tab |
| Open Agent/Cascade | Ctrl+I | Sidebar button |
| Add file to context | @file in chat | Auto-detected |
The biggest adjustment is context management. In Cursor, you explicitly add files with @file mentions. In Windsurf, Cascade pulls context automatically based on your activity. You can still manually add files, but you’ll need to less often.
Terminal and Indexing
Windsurf’s Cascade reads terminal output directly — errors, test failures, and build issues get picked up without copy-pasting. Codebase indexing runs automatically on project open. Check status via Command Palette → “Windsurf: Indexing Status.”
After the Switch: What to Watch For
- Context quality: If AI responses seem off, check which files Cascade auto-includes and exclude irrelevant directories in settings.
- Suggestion frequency: Dial back auto-suggestions from aggressive to on-demand if they feel disruptive.
- File associations: Make sure only one editor is your default for opening files.
.gitignore: Add.windsurfrulesif you don’t want AI rules in version control.- Debugger configs:
launch.jsoncarries over but verify breakpoints work.
For a broader look at the AI code editor landscape, see our roundup of the best AI code editors in 2026.
The Bottom Line
Migrating from Cursor to Windsurf takes about 30 minutes of active setup. Extensions, settings, and keybindings transfer cleanly since both editors share the VS Code foundation. The real adjustment period is learning Cascade’s proactive AI workflow versus Cursor’s prompt-driven approach — give it a full week before judging.
Keep Cursor installed during the transition. If Windsurf’s approach doesn’t click with your workflow, switching back is equally painless.