What Is Windsurf? The AI Code Editor, Now Called Devin Desktop
Windsurf was an AI-first code editor built on VS Code, known for its Cascade agent and Tab completions. Cognition bought it in 2025 and renamed it Devin Desktop in June 2026. What it is, what changed, how it compares with Cursor and Claude Code, and what existing users should know.
Windsurf is an AI-first code editor. If you're searching for it in 2026, the first thing to know is that it has a new name: Devin Desktop.
Windsurf was built by the company Codeium. Cognition — the company behind the Devin coding agent — acquired it in July 2025, and on 2 June 2026 an update renamed the editor Devin Desktop. Existing installs updated in place with settings, extensions and plans carried over, and windsurf.com now redirects to devin.ai.
Details as of October 2026.
What it is
Windsurf / Devin Desktop is a fork of VS Code with AI built into the core of the editor:
- An agent (originally called Cascade) that can plan multi-file changes, run terminal commands and iterate on errors.
- Tab completions that predict your next edit as you type, not just the next word.
- Codebase awareness, so the AI can find relevant files without you pointing at each one.
- Multiple model providers, plus Cognition's own models.
Because it's a VS Code fork, most VS Code extensions, themes and keybindings work.
Who it suits
- Developers who want an AI-native editor and like inline completions.
- People moving from VS Code who don't want to learn a new layout.
- Teams interested in Cognition's Devin agent for longer autonomous tasks.
Windsurf vs Cursor
They're close competitors — both AI editors built on VS Code. Cursor (by Anysphere) has a larger user base and has been adding cloud agents and multi-agent "Projects"; Devin Desktop ties into Cognition's Devin. In daily use, the differences come down to how each agent behaves on your codebase and how each plan's usage limits feel. (Cursor vs Windsurf)
Windsurf vs Claude Code
Different shapes of tool: Windsurf is an editor with an agent inside; Claude Code is an agent you bring to your editor (terminal, VS Code, JetBrains, desktop, web). You can even run Claude Code inside Windsurf's terminal. (Claude Code vs Windsurf)
If you're an existing Windsurf user
- Your install should already have updated to Devin Desktop. Settings and extensions carry over.
- Check your plan and pricing page at devin.ai — names and limits may differ from what you signed up for.
- Bookmarks and docs links to windsurf.com redirect.
The summary
- Windsurf is an AI code editor built on VS Code, now named Devin Desktop.
- Cognition owns it; the agent and Tab completions are its core features.
- It competes most directly with Cursor.
EasySpawn works with whatever editor you like: Claude Code runs on a persistent server you can reach over SSH from Devin Desktop, Cursor or VS Code — or from your phone. See how it works or join the waitlist.
Related: What Is Cursor? · What Is an IDE? · Best AI Coding Tools · What Is GitHub Copilot?
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