From Prompt to Prototype in Minutes: Code with Windsurf Editor

If you’re curious about where AI is headed in software development, it’s time to pay attention to Windsurf: an IDE powered by artificial intelligence that feels less like a tool and more like a copilot.

In our previous blog post, we went over the basics of what’s Windsurf and how it works. Now, let’s walk through a simple, step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Step 1: Plan Your Project

Before you jump into coding, take a step back and plan. This is where ChatGPT (or another conversational model) can shine. Use it to brainstorm ideas, organize your thoughts, and shape your prompt.

Let’s say you want to build a chatbot. You can ask ChatGPT to help you structure a well-defined prompt tailored for Windsurf.

Step 2: Choose the Right Model

On the right side of the Windsurf interface, you’ll find Cascade, your AI copilot. Cascade can tap into several powerful foundation models:

Each of these models brings its own strengths, and you can choose which one to use based on your goals or the task complexity. 

Some models, like Sonnet 3.7 (Thinking), use internal reasoning steps before generating final output. You’ll see the model “think out loud,” iterating on your prompt in real time. These “thinking” models are more resource-intensive and slightly slower, but they’re better at solving complex problems. 

However, they can sometimes overcomplicate things or drift off-track. A helpful strategy is to use them for ideation and problem-solving, then switch to a faster, more direct model for implementation.

Step 3: Give Windsurf the Right Context

Windsurf starts every session with a clean slate. This means it doesn’t remember anything you’ve said in past conversations.

Just like you would explain things to a new teammate, you’ll need to provide all the relevant information upfront before asking it to write code. For example:

If you’re building a chatbot, you might begin by asking Windsurf to read a README file so it understands the system’s specs and expected behavior.

Context is everything. Without it, Windsurf can’t generate helpful code. Here’s how to provide the right context:

• Upload or paste documentation (README, API references, etc.)
  • Pro tip, ask Windsurf to generate the README file and documentation in MD format, and then edit it accordingly
    
• Use features like rules and memories to keep recurring information handy

Want to go deeper? Check out our dedicated blog post on giving Windsurf proper context.

Step 4: Paste Your Prompt

Once you’ve set the context, paste your prompt into the same conversation thread. From here, Windsurf takes over, picking the right tools, building your code step by step, and shows you its thinking along the way. 

Una regla que está bueno tener es “antes de hacer cambios en el código, siempre presenta el plan y pide confirmación”. Así lo podemos revisar, y los modelos no se lancen a hacer cambios solos. Entonces, esa es una regla que siempre tenemos que tener. 

You can ask for edits, improvements, or further explanations as you go.

Step 5: Run Your App on Localhost

One of Windsurf’s most powerful features is its ability to generate full-stack applications (frontend and backend) in just minutes. It can:

• Configure your environment
  
• Generate working code
  
• Run it locally using the “One Shot” flow

One Shot = one solid prompt → full app prototype

This is fantastic for prototyping and fast iteration. But it’s not a replacement for good software engineering practices.

Step 6: Make Changes & Refine

Windsurf extends beyond the chat interface by offering intelligent autocompletion within the code editor, providing contextually relevant suggestions as you type.

Plus, there’s this cool shortcut: Command + L. By selecting a portion of code and using this command, you can then enter instructions such as “comment this function,” and Windsurf will propose the corresponding modification.

For every change Windsurf suggests, a little window will show up where you can check out the proposed code edits and either click “Accept” or “Decline”.

Now, here’s the deal: If you don’t like what Windsurf makes and you just keep telling it to change stuff over and over, it can start adding a bunch of extra, messy code. It will keep adding new styles without getting rid of the old ones. It can get into this weird loop where it just keeps piling on code, and you won’t even know what’s being used and what’s just junk.

Think about it this way: when you come back to your project tomorrow, Windsurf won’t remember any of your previous chats. So, it’ll use its search tool, find some old style that’s not even being used, and try to change that instead. Then, nothing works, and you’re wondering what’s going on.

Remember, Windsurf’s memory is short. It’s like saying “hi” and having to introduce yourself again the next time. That’s why writing clean, organized code makes it way easier for Windsurf’s search tools to do their job right.

So, one of the best ways to handle this is to go back a step. You can literally tell Windsurf, “Forget that,” using the “truncate conversation” feature. It’s pretty sweet because you can hit “Revert this step,” confirm it, and Windsurf will not only forget what it just did but also undo the code changes.

Bottom line: It’s usually better to tweak your original prompt and go back than to keep asking Windsurf to fix something you didn’t like in the first place. 

Wrap Up

Start small. Test different models. And most importantly, don’t skip the human touch. Even with powerful AI, great software still depends on great developers.

👉 Next up: We’ll walk through the best ways to give Windsurf context so you can get even more of its potential.