Updated October 15, 2026. This is a documentation-only review; we did not install the editor, run a coding benchmark, or deploy an application.
Windsurf AI is now Devin Desktop, Cognition’s development environment for working with coding agents. The familiar editor remains, but the product now emphasizes managing local and cloud agents alongside code. Cognition announced the change on June 2, 2026. If you are researching Windsurf before downloading or renewing, the important questions are which agent you will use, how usage is charged, and what happens to your code.
Featured image: original November 2025 Windsurf homepage image, retained for historical context. It shows earlier branding and does not document a current Devin Desktop test.
What changed?
The official download page offers Devin Desktop for macOS, Windows, and Linux. It says existing Windsurf installations receive the change through an update, carrying over plans, extensions, and settings. Windsurf for JetBrains remains separately available. Check the current system requirements before installing; a desktop download does not imply support for every operating-system version.
Coding and context
The Cascade documentation describes an assistant that can answer codebase questions, edit files, use tools, and create checkpoints. Its Chat and Code modes have different purposes. Checkpoints help navigate changes, but the documentation warns that reverting is irreversible, so keep independent version-control history.
Current Devin Local documentation says new conversations do not start on Cascade; existing Cascade conversations remain accessible. Devin Local has its own modes and permissions. This distinction matters when following older Windsurf tutorials.
Cascade memories are local, workspace-specific records, retrieved when considered relevant. They are not automatically shared with other workspaces or teammates. The current docs say Devin Local does not persist these memories. For durable project instructions, use the supported rules or skills for your chosen agent rather than assuming every conversation remembers everything.
Commands and deploys
Cascade’s terminal controls include Disabled, Allowlist Only, Auto, and Turbo execution levels. Disabled requires approval for each command; Turbo automatically runs commands except those requiring approval through a deny list. A deny-list match means approval is required, not that execution is impossible. Devin Local uses separate allow, ask, and deny permissions. Start conservatively, especially around file deletion, package installation, and deployment credentials.
App Deploys is a beta Cascade feature for publishing web projects through Netlify. It is unavailable with Devin Local. Project code is uploaded to the service, and the resulting URL is public. The feature is primarily intended for previews; important deployments should be claimed in the provider account. Do not include secrets or private customer data in a public demo.
A code-review example
Fictional scenario: a small JavaScript shop has a proposed discount helper that accepts negative quantities. This example illustrates a review process, not a test performed in Windsurf or Devin Desktop.
- Set the boundary. Work on a separate branch with synthetic fixtures. Ask the agent to inspect the helper, its callers, and existing tests without editing anything initially.
- Make the review specific. Try: “Review this change for negative quantities, missing prices, and rounding errors. Give file and line references, explain each finding, and propose the smallest fix. Ask before running commands.”
- Approve a narrow change. After checking the findings yourself, request input validation and focused regression tests. Specify the expected behavior rather than asking for a broad cleanup.
- Verify independently. Read the diff, inspect the tests, and run the project’s normal checks. Confirm that invalid inputs are rejected and valid totals remain correct. A convincing explanation is not evidence that a test passed.
Pricing and usage
The current pricing page lists Free at $0, Pro at $20 per month, Max at $200 per month, and custom Enterprise pricing. Free includes a limited agent allowance and unlimited Tab completions. Paid tiers provide more usage. These are the displayed monthly dollar amounts; the public pricing pages reviewed do not explicitly identify the currency. Confirm currency, tax, and billing terms at checkout.
Teams needs a billing check: the pricing page displays $80 monthly plus $40 per full developer seat. However, the billing documentation describes an $80 monthly minimum toward which full-seat charges count. Verify the actual quote before budgeting. The billing guide also specifies daily and weekly allowances for Pro, and a larger weekly allowance without a daily cap for Max.
The quota guide replaces the old self-serve prompt-credit model with token-dependent usage. Model choice and context size affect consumption; paid extra usage is charged at model API list prices. Legacy $15 Pro subscribers may retain that price, but the old “500 monthly credits” description is not a current new-customer offer. Check the in-app meter before a large task.
Privacy and limits
Cognition’s platform terms permit customer data to be used for training and service improvement. Paid subscribers can opt out; Teams administrators control that choice. The terms say opting out enables zero data retention with model providers, while allowing exceptions for safety, abuse review, and legal requirements. This is not a promise that no service data is ever stored.
The security documentation gives Enterprise customers a different commitment: no training without prior written consent, subject to their agreement. Review the policy and settings applicable to your account before opening proprietary repositories. Cognition also acknowledges that generated work can contain bugs or insecure suggestions. Keep human review, automated checks, and existing release controls.
Who should consider it?
Developers who want an editor plus agent workflows can evaluate Devin Desktop on a small, non-sensitive project. Track review effort and usage alongside any time saved. It is a weaker fit when you cannot review generated changes or your organization has not approved the data handling. For another editor-focused option, see our Cursor AI overview, then compare both against the same task and acceptance criteria.
