Installing Windsurf JetBrains Plugin

Learn how to install and set up Windsurf plugin for JetBrains IDEs

Installing Windsurf for JetBrains IDEs

Bring Windsurf's AI-powered coding assistance to your JetBrains IDE (IntelliJ, WebStorm, PyCharm, etc.).

Installation Steps:

  1. 1. Open Settings/Preferences:
    • Windows/Linux: FileSettings
    • macOS: IntelliJ IDEA (or your IDE name) → Preferences
  2. 2. Go to Plugins: Select "Plugins" from the side menu.
  3. 3. Marketplace: Ensure you're in the "Marketplace" tab.
  4. 4. Search: Type "Windsurf" in the search bar.
  5. 5. Install: Click the "Install" button for the Windsurf plugin (it should be a prominent result).
  6. 6. Restart IDE: When prompted, restart your JetBrains IDE to complete the installation.

Initial Setup After Restart:

  1. 1. Language Server Download: Wait for Windsurf to download the necessary language server. You might see a "Windsurf" button or status indicator at the bottom of the screen.
  2. 2. Log In: Click the Windsurf button/prompt to log in. This will open a browser window for authentication.
  3. 3. Return to IDE: After successful login in the browser, navigate back to your IDE.
  4. 4. Open Cascade: You can typically open the Cascade AI chat panel from your plugins list or a dedicated Windsurf menu/icon.

You're now set up with Windsurf in your JetBrains IDE!

Using Windsurf in JetBrains

Tab Completions: Type code and accept suggestions with Tab key.

Command Access: Use keyboard shortcuts to trigger Command features.

Settings Management: Configure AI models and preferences in settings.

Status Monitoring: Check connection status in the IDE status bar.

Troubleshooting

Connection Issues: Verify your internet connection and Windsurf account status.

Performance: Adjust settings if you experience slow completions.

Compatibility: Ensure your JetBrains IDE version is supported.

Plugin Updates: Keep the plugin updated through the marketplace.

Best Practices

  • Enable Windsurf for your most-used programming languages
  • Adjust completion frequency based on your preferences
  • Use Command for complex code generation tasks
  • Monitor your usage and credit consumption

The JetBrains plugin brings Windsurf's AI capabilities to your existing development workflow without changing IDEs.