Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
[← Back to Main](../README.md)
# Cursor vs Windsurf: Complete Comparison (2025) [← Back to Main](../README.md) ## Overview Both Cursor and Windsurf are VS Code forks with deep AI integration. Here's how they compare in late 2025. --- ## Philosophy Comparison | Aspect | Cursor | Windsurf | |--------|--------|----------| | **Philosophy** | Augmentation | Augmentation | | **Control Level** | User is pilot | More autonomous | | **Architecture** | VS Code Fork (Native) | VS Code Fork (Native) | | **Target User** | Power users, enterprises | Beginners, rapid prototyping | --- ## Feature Comparison | Feature | Cursor (Composer/Agent) | Windsurf (Cascade) | Verdict | |---------|-------------------------|-------------------|---------| | **Context Awareness** | Manual/Granular with @symbols | Deep Auto-Indexing | Windsurf is more approachable | | **Code Editing** | Composer (Cmd+I) with Normal/Agent modes | Flow agent | Cursor wins on Tab prediction | | **Pricing** | $20/month (500 fast requests) | $15/month (often unlimited) | Windsurf is cheaper | | **Model Access** | All models (Claude, GPT, Grok, Gemini, BYOK) | Primarily Claude + proprietary | Cursor wins for model arbitrage | | **Refactoring** | Agent Mode (can be slow) | "Vibe and Replace" | Windsurf has edge for large refactors | | **Multi-File** | Composer ⭐ | Cascade | Both excellent | | **Special Features** | Plan Mode, Instant Grep | Auto-context, Initiative | Different strengths | --- ## The "Initiative" Gap A critical differentiator is how proactive each AI is. This is the most important difference to understand. ### Windsurf Cascade ``` More Proactive (Higher Initiative): - Runs shell commands without asking - Installs dependencies automatically - Makes decisions independently - Feels "magical" to new users - Often executes rm -rf without confirmation ``` ### Cursor Agent ``` More Cautious (Lower Initiative): - Asks permission for shell commands - Requires explicit approval for destructive actions - Developer reviews before execution - Safer for enterprise environments - Default: "Ask for permission" model ``` ### The Verdict ``` "Windsurf feels magical to new users, but terrifying to senior engineers who want to review every shell command before it executes rm -rf." ``` **Choose based on your experience level**: - New developers → Windsurf's initiative feels helpful - Senior engineers → Cursor's control prevents disasters - Enterprise environments → Cursor's explicit approval is required --- ## Context Management ### Cursor Approach ``` Manual but precise: @Files - Explicit file reference @Codebase - Semantic search @Folders - Directory context .mdc rules - Glob-based injection ``` **Pros**: Full control over what AI sees **Cons**: Requires learning @ syntax ### Windsurf Approach ``` Automatic indexing: - Codebase indexed on open - Agent decides relevance - Less typing required ``` **Pros**: Beginner-friendly, less friction **Cons**: Less control, may read too much --- ## Model Ecosystem ### Cursor (Winner) ``` Native Support: ├── Claude 4.5 Opus/Sonnet ├── GPT-5.1 High Max ├── Gemini 3 Pro ├── Grok 4.1 └── BYOK (OpenRouter, custom APIs) Model Arbitrage: - Use cheap models for simple tasks - Reserve expensive models for complex work - Switch models based on task type ``` ### Windsurf ``` Limited Options: ├── Claude 3.5 Sonnet (primary) ├── SWE-1.5 (proprietary Codeium model) └── Less flexibility Locked Ecosystem: - Cannot easily add new models - Less cost optimization options - Primarily relies on Claude and proprietary models ``` --- ## Pricing Breakdown ### Cursor Pro ($20/month) ``` Includes: ├── 500 fast requests/month ├── Unlimited slow requests ├── All native models ├── Agent Mode └── Checkpoints ``` ### Windsurf Pro ($15/month) ``` Includes: ├── Often unlimited Flow actions ├── Deep indexing ├── Cascade agent └── Auto-context ``` ### Verdict - **Budget conscious**: Windsurf - **Power users**: Cursor (with BYOK for heavy usage) - **Enterprise**: Cursor (model flexibility, control) --- ## Use Case Recommendations ### Choose Cursor When ``` ✅ Working with existing large codebases ✅ Need model flexibility (arbitrage) ✅ Want explicit control over AI actions ✅ Enterprise environment with compliance needs ✅ Using Plan Mode for complex tasks ✅ Need checkpoint/rollback features ``` ### Choose Windsurf When ``` ✅ Starting new projects from scratch ✅ Prefer automatic context management ✅ Want lower monthly cost ✅ New to AI-assisted coding ✅ Large-scale autonomous refactoring ✅ Prefer "just works" experience ``` --- ## Migration Considerations ### Cursor → Windsurf ``` What transfers: ✅ VS Code settings/extensions ✅ Git configuration ✅ Project files What doesn't: ❌ .cursorrules / .mdc files ❌ Cursor-specific shortcuts ❌ Notepads/saved context ``` ### Windsurf → Cursor ``` What transfers: ✅ VS Code settings/extensions ✅ Project files What you'll need: • Learn @ symbol syntax • Create .mdc rules • Configure BYOK if needed ``` --- ## Performance Benchmarks Based on real-world usage reports: | Task | Cursor | Windsurf | |------|--------|----------| | Tab completion latency | Faster | Slower | | Large file editing | Good | Good | | Multi-file refactor | Medium | Fast | | Setup from scratch | Medium | Fast | | Complex debugging | Good | Medium | --- ## Community Sentiment ### Cursor ``` Praised for: - Model flexibility - Checkpoint system - Plan Mode - Power user features Criticized for: - Learning curve - 2.0 deprecations - Fast request limits ``` ### Windsurf ``` Praised for: - Ease of use - Auto-context - Price - "Initiative" features Criticized for: - Less control - Model lock-in - Enterprise readiness ``` --- ## Quick Decision Tree ``` Need model flexibility? → Cursor Want automatic context? → Windsurf Budget priority? → Windsurf Enterprise compliance? → Cursor New to AI coding? → Windsurf Power user? → Cursor Large refactors? → Windsurf Complex planning? → Cursor ``` --- ## References - [Windsurf vs Cursor Official](https://windsurf.com/compare/windsurf-vs-cursor) - [Builder.io Comparison](https://www.builder.io/blog/windsurf-vs-cursor) - [Reddit Discussions](https://www.reddit.com/r/ChatGPTCoding/comments/1htlx48/cursor_vs_windsurf_realworld_experience_with/) --- [← Back to Main](../README.md)
An AI client and API for WordPress to communicate with any generative AI models of various capabilities using a uniform API. Built on top of the [PHP AI Client](https://github.com/WordPress/php-ai-client), it provides a WordPress-native Prompt Builder, an Admin Settings Screen for credentials, automatic credential wiring, a PSR-compliant HTTP client, and a client-side JavaScript API.
> This file provides instructions for AI agents that read AGENTS.md (GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, Aider, OpenCode, and others).
This document collects ideas and instructions for implementing future improvements. Follow these when adding features or refactoring the code.
> This file must stay **in sync** with `CLAUDE.md`. Whenever you change one, mirror the same change in the other so both tools continue to work correctly.
