Starting a project from scratch is one thing, but working with an existing code base is definitely
another one.
This is where many AI coding tools struggle, but not so much windsurf, which has started to gain a
reputation for being just a bit better than the competition.
Windsurf is Cursor's biggest competitor and is available as a standalone IDE and as an extension for
VS code and other popular Ides.
In this section we will be using the full IDE and to get started all you need to do is click here.
On this download button.
I will put a link as a resource to this lecture as well.
In May 2025, windsurf was purchased by the company behind ChatGPT, OpenAI.
So I think there are many positive developments coming out of it in the upcoming months.
In this section, we will start with an existing code base and make improvements to it, while at the
same time discovering key windsurf features.
So download windsurf, open it and start the setup process.
I will choose to start fresh without importing any settings from VSCode or cursor.
I'll also go with the default VSCode keybindings and after that select the dark theme.
Just not let any bugs in.
You know light attracts bugs.
Anyway, your local Windsor installation needs to be connected to your windsurf account.
If you don't have one yet, click on sign up.
The process is straightforward and doesn't require a credit card.
Once you are done, you will be redirected to the windsurf ide.
And just like that, you can get started.
Initially, you will be on the free plan, which comes with a two week trial which gives you enough
time to try things out.
You can check your current status and usage by clicking on the trial button.
And that's pretty much all you need to know in order to get started with windsurf.