Windsurf
A standalone code editor forked from VS Code and built around an agent. The assistant plans and runs multi-file changes and does more than suggest completions.
Tested on Claude Sonnet · 4.5 ·
APP · Free tier, paid Pro plans
The pitch is agent mode. Describe a change and Windsurf plans a sequence of edits across several files, runs commands and checks its own output, in place of handing back one suggestion at a time. For a well-scoped task in a codebase it can index properly, that loop saves the back-and-forth of a chat panel.
The autonomy is also the risk. A vague instruction yields a vague multi-file change, and reviewing a five-file diff afterwards takes longer than reviewing five one-file suggestions would have. Scope the request narrowly and read the plan before it runs. The final diff alone comes too late.
Notes from the author
On anything touching more than two files, ask for the plan before it executes. A plan you have read takes far less time to approve than a finished diff you have to reverse-engineer.
For information only, not professional advice. You use it at your own risk and we are not liable for any loss or damage. See the disclaimer.
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