Back to Tutorials

$ Setting Up Cursor AI and Windsurf AI

A step-by-step guide to installing and configuring these AI-powered code editors on different operating systems.

After diving into the possibilities of AI-powered code editors like Cursor AI and Windsurf AI in our first tutorial, you're probably eager to get them up and running. These tools can transform your workflow, offering smart code completions and generation that feel like having a coding buddy by your side. Let's walk through setting them up, step by step, so you can start coding smarter, not harder.

installation_overview.md
  • → Installation Steps How to download and install both Cursor AI and Windsurf AI on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • → Configuration and Interface Setting up your workspace, choosing programming languages, and exploring the interface elements.
  • → Exploring AI Features Trying out code completion, code generation, and chat features in both editors.
  • → Advanced Features Diving into Cursor AI's Agents and Composer, plus Windsurf AI's Cascade feature.
  • → Practical Examples and FAQs Real-world installation examples and answers to common setup questions.

Installation Steps

Both Cursor AI and Windsurf AI are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and installation is a breeze. Here's how to get started:

installation_guide.md
  • → Cursor AI
    • Windows: Visit Cursor to download the installer, run it, and launch from the Start menu.
    • macOS: Download the .dmg file from Cursor, open it, drag to Applications, and launch.
    • Linux: Download from Cursor, make executable with chmod +x cursor-ai-installer, run it, and follow prompts.
  • → Windsurf AI
    • Windows: Download from Windsurf, run the installer, and launch from the Start menu.
    • macOS: Download the .dmg from Windsurf, install, and launch from Applications.
    • Linux: Download from Windsurf, make executable with chmod +x windsurf-ai-installer, run it, and follow prompts.

Installation Summary

Operating System Cursor AI Installation Steps Windsurf AI Installation Steps
Windows Download from Cursor, run installer, launch from Start menu. Download from Windsurf, run installer, launch from Start menu.
macOS Download .dmg from Cursor, open, drag to Applications, launch. Download .dmg from Windsurf, install, launch from Applications.
Linux Download from Cursor, chmod +x cursor-ai-installer, run, launch. Download from Windsurf, chmod +x windsurf-ai-installer, run, launch.

Configuration and Interface

Once installed, configure both tools by choosing your preferred programming language, setting a workspace directory, and connecting to Git for version control. The interfaces are similar to VS Code, with an editor panel for writing code, a side bar for files and Git, and a status bar at the bottom. Plus, you'll find AI-specific panels:

  • Cursor AI has a chat feature and code generation capabilities, making it easy to ask questions or generate code on the fly.
  • Windsurf AI features the Cascade panel for complex tasks and Supercomplete for advanced code suggestions, designed for big projects.

Connecting to Git

Version control is essential for any coding project. Both Cursor AI and Windsurf AI offer seamless Git integration, letting you track changes and collaborate effectively.

git_integration.md
  • → Cursor AI Git Integration
    • Step 1: Ensure Git is installed by typing git --version in your terminal. If not installed, download from git-scm.com.
    • Step 2: Open an existing repository or create a new one: Go to "File" > "Open Folder" or use the Command Palette (Ctrl + Shift + P) to run "Git: Initialize Repository" on a new folder.
    • Step 3: Connect to a remote repository: Create a repo on GitHub, then in Cursor AI's Git panel (Ctrl + Shift + G), click "Remote" and add your remote URL.
    • Step 4: Use AI-powered commit messages: After staging changes, type a comment like "# Generate commit message" before committing for AI-generated descriptive messages.
  • → Windsurf AI Git Integration
    • Step 1: Check for Git installation with git --version and install if needed.
    • Step 2: Open or create a repository using "File" > "Open Folder" or initialize a new repository from the Command Palette.
    • Step 3: Connect to a remote repository through the Git panel (Ctrl + Shift + G) by adding the remote URL.
    • Step 4: Unlike Cursor AI, create commit messages manually for clear version history.

Why It Matters: Connecting to Git with these AI editors means you can track changes, collaborate, and even let Cursor AI handle commit messages for you. It's especially important when working with AI tools as it allows you to back up your work frequently and easily revert changes if needed.

Exploring AI Features

Now, let's play with the AI. Both tools offer code completion, generation, and chat, but they have unique twists:

  • Code Completion: Start typing in either editor, and watch the AI suggest completions. Hit Tab or Enter to accept—it's like predictive text, but for code. Cursor AI's suggestions are quick, while Windsurf AI's Supercomplete considers your whole project.
  • Code Generation from Natural Language: In Cursor AI, type a comment like # Generate a function to calculate the sum of two numbers and let it create the code. Windsurf AI's Cascade can do more, like generating functions across multiple files—just describe what you need.
  • Chat with AI: With Cursor AI, open the chat panel and ask, "How does this function work?" or "Can you fix this error?" Windsurf AI's Memories system keeps context, so your interactions feel continuous, even for complex queries.

Unlock Cursor AI's Magic: Agents, AI Chat, and Composer

cursor_features.md
  • → AI Chat Your go-to for instant help. A chat panel where you can ask questions about your code, get explanations, or fix errors. To access it, open Cursor AI and look for the AI Chat panel in the side bar. Try asking "Generate a function to sort a list" and watch it create the code. Be specific for best results.
  • → Agents Like personal coding assistants, handling complex tasks like generating tests or refactoring code. In AI Chat, type something like "Generate unit tests for this function," and the AI will do the heavy lifting. Review the output to ensure it fits your needs.
  • → Composer Generate code from natural language descriptions. Write a comment in your code like "# Create a function called add that takes two integers and returns their sum" and Cursor AI will generate the corresponding function. Be specific in your descriptions for best results.

Why It Matters: These features can save you hours, keep your code clean, and spark new ideas. Experiment with them on your pet project—try generating a calculator function or automating tests—and see how they adapt to your style. No extra subscriptions needed for basic use, just Cursor AI installed and ready to go.

Feature How to Access How to Use Tips for Best Results
AI Chat Side bar panel, check settings if needed Ask questions, get explanations, request code snippets, e.g., "Fix this error" Be specific, use code references, experiment
Agents Through AI Chat with specific commands Request tasks like "Generate unit tests for this function," review output Clearly define tasks, review and tweak output
Composer Write comments in code for generation Describe code, e.g., "# Create a function called add that takes two integers," AI generates Be specific, include details, test variations

Understanding Windsurf AI's Cascade Feature

Windsurf AI's Cascade feature is where the magic happens, especially for complex projects. Imagine you're working on a project with multiple files, and you need to implement a new feature that touches several parts of your code. Instead of manually editing each file, Cascade lets you describe what you want in simple English, and it handles the rest across all relevant files.

First, you'll need to have Windsurf AI installed and set up, as we covered in the installation steps. Then, create a new project or open an existing one. For this, let's make a simple project with two files: math_ops.py and main.py. These can be empty to start, but you can also have existing code to see how Cascade adapts.

Next, open the Cascade panel in Windsurf AI. This is usually accessible through a button or menu in the interface—check the side bar or settings if you're not sure, and you can find more details in the Windsurf docs. In the Cascade panel, type a description like: "Implement a function to calculate the area of a rectangle in math_ops.py and call it from main.py to print the area of a rectangle with length 5 and width 10." Hit enter, and let Cascade work its magic.

# In math_ops.py

def calculate_area(length, width):
    return length * width
# In main.py

from math_ops import calculate_area

length = 5
width = 10
area = calculate_area(length, width)
print(area)

Run main.py, and you should see it print 50, confirming it works. This shows Cascade handling tasks across files, saving you time and effort.

Why It's a Game-Changer: This is a game-changer for complex projects because it automates what would otherwise be a tedious, error-prone process. Imagine you're updating a large application with changes needed in several files—describing the task to Cascade lets it generate and integrate the code, reducing mistakes and speeding up development. You'll be amazed at how it adapts to your coding style, making your workflow smoother and more efficient.

Practical Example

Let's walk through setting up on Windows to get you coding fast. For Cursor AI:

  1. Visit Cursor, download the Windows installer, run it, and launch from the Start menu.
  2. Open a new folder for your pet project (remember that calculator app from Tutorial One?), and start a file, say calc.py.
  3. Type def add(a, b): and see the AI suggest return a + b. Hit Tab to accept—boom, instant completion!
  4. Try generating code: Type # Create a function to multiply two numbers and watch the AI do the work.

FAQs for Installation

installation_faq.md
  • → Q: Installer not running? Check system requirements in Cursor docs or Windsurf docs.
  • → Q: Linux permissions issue? Run chmod +x installer_name then ./installer_name.
  • → Q: How to update the tools? Check settings or download the latest from Cursor or Windsurf.
  • → Q: Internet connection required? Yes, for AI features, as they rely on cloud models.
  • → Q: Can I use both tools side by side? Yes, install and use them separately.

For more details, visit Cursor documentation or Windsurf documentation.

Ready for more? In the next tutorial, we'll dive into customizing these editors with rules to fit your coding standards. Stay tuned!

Further Reading