My Experience with Windsurf AI

In recent months, I had the opportunity to test WindSurf, one of the most interesting AI-powered IDEs available today, integrated with the open and free SWE-1 model. If you're looking to compare tools like Cursor AI, Copilot, Kiro, or Cline, or want to understand how the new generation of AI-powered IDEs can enhance your everyday developer workflow, this article will give you a clear and practical overview.

First fundamental point: SWE-1 does not replace the developer. It's an intelligent assistant, not a machine that writes software in your place. As with other AI-based tools, the real value emerges when it is used to enhance your workflow, not as a replacement.

Working at Single File or Subsection Level

During my tests, I noticed that SWE-1 works best when used on individual files or specific parts of code. This is because the model does not maintain a complete context of the project, and working on the entire repository can lead to errors such as accidental deletions or inconsistent suggestions.

In practice, if you ask it to refactor entire modules spread across multiple folders, the risk increases. However, if you work on a complex function or an isolated component, SWE-1 becomes an extremely effective ally, as it can focus with greater precision on your intentions.

Smart Autocomplete and Context Management

One of the strengths I appreciated most is contextual autocomplete. SWE-1 doesn't simply predictively complete:

• It uses the history of the file you are editing.
• It takes into account what you have copied to your clipboard.
• It even evaluates other files opened in the IDE.

The result is that the suggestions are surprisingly relevant. This makes it so that, during the development of repetitive functions, unit tests, or boilerplate, code is written with a speed and fluidity that is hard to achieve with more linear tools.

In this sense, SWE-1 is reminiscent of similar approaches like GitHub Copilot, but with the advantage of being free and well integrated into a next-generation IDE such as WindSurf.

Recommended Workflow

After several weeks, I developed my own optimal workflow:

• I let SWE-1 work on a file or a critical portion of code.
• Meanwhile, I focus on another module or on parallel activities (debugging, documentation, styling).

This way I avoid interrupting my flow while still taking advantage of the assistant’s benefits. This approach reduces errors and maximizes productivity, avoiding the issue of conflicts or unwanted deletions.

On the other hand, I do not recommend using SWE-1 for:

• Deep project restructurings
• Parallel operations on multiple files
• Global refactoring

In these cases, the main limitation remains context management: AI simply does not yet have the capability to maintain an overview of entire projects as an experienced developer would, or to understand complex architectures.

AI and Development: Complement, Not Replacement

This leads to a broader reflection. Many fear that AI for developers tools might replace human work. My experience shows the opposite: a model like SWE-1 is an operational tool, a support.

It saves time, reduces mental effort in repetitive tasks, speeds up writing tests or boilerplate, but it doesn’t make architectural decisions or anticipate complex logic. In short: it empowers the programmer, it doesn't replace them.

Those who work with solutions like Cursor, Copilot, or even WindSurf itself, should see them as a daily ally: a “virtual pair programmer” that boosts efficiency while leaving strategic choices to the professional.

Conclusions

The experience with the free SWE-1 model on WindSurf confirmed to me that AI-based IDEs are not futuristic, underdeveloped tools, but immediate and concrete technologies already ready for everyday developers.

• They are effective on repetitive tasks, bringing enormous productivity benefits.
• They offer smart contextual autocomplete, more advanced than classic editors.
• They work best on single files or isolated code blocks.
• They do not replace developers, but expand their capabilities.

If you're curious about how AI in software development can change your daily routine, WindSurf with SWE-1 is one of the most solid and interesting free options to try today, alongside solutions like GitHub Copilot, Cursor AI, Kiro, or Cline.