Windsurf

Set up ContextPin with Windsurf.

Windsurf is Codeium's AI-native IDE with Cascade, a powerful agentic AI. This guide shows you how to connect ContextPin to Windsurf for enhanced context.

Configuration

Windsurf uses MCP configuration similar to other VS Code-based editors.

Step 1: Open Settings

  1. Open Windsurf
  2. Press ⌘, (Mac) or Ctrl+, (Windows/Linux)
  3. Search for "MCP" in settings

Step 2: Add MCP Configuration

Add ContextPin as an MCP server. You may need to edit the settings JSON directly:

  1. Open Command Palette (⌘⇧P)
  2. Search "Preferences: Open Settings (JSON)"
  3. Add the MCP configuration

Configuration Values

macOS

{
  "mcp.servers": {
    "contextpin": {
      "command": "/Applications/ContextPin.app/Contents/MacOS/contextpin-mcp",
      "args": ["--workspace", "YOUR_WORKSPACE_ID"]
    }
  }
}

Windows

{
  "mcp.servers": {
    "contextpin": {
      "command": "C:\\Program Files\\ContextPin\\contextpin-mcp.exe",
      "args": ["--workspace", "YOUR_WORKSPACE_ID"]
    }
  }
}

Linux

{
  "mcp.servers": {
    "contextpin": {
      "command": "/opt/contextpin/contextpin-mcp",
      "args": ["--workspace", "YOUR_WORKSPACE_ID"]
    }
  }
}
Get your workspace ID from ContextPin: Settings → MCP

Step 3: Restart Windsurf

After saving the configuration, restart Windsurf for changes to take effect.

Verify the Connection

  1. Open Windsurf's Cascade panel
  2. Ask: "List my ContextPin contexts"
  3. You should see your contexts listed

Using ContextPin with Cascade

Basic Usage

Cascade can access your contexts when you reference them: 

"Read my API Guidelines context"

"Based on my Code Standards, review this function"

"Search my contexts for database patterns"

Using with Flows

When Cascade creates multi-step flows, your contexts inform each step: 

"Using my Component Guidelines and Testing Strategy, create a new
UserDashboard component with full test coverage"

Agentic Tasks

For complex, multi-file operations: 

"Refactor the authentication module following my Auth Flow context.
Update all related tests according to my Testing Strategy."

Tips for Cascade

Set Context Early

Start flows by establishing relevant context: 

"I'm working on the payment system. Please read my Payment Flow
and Error Handling contexts first, then help me add refund support."

Be Specific

Reference exactly which contexts apply: 

"Using @[API Guidelines] specifically the 'Error Response Format'
section, create error handling for this endpoint"

Iterate with Context

Cascade maintains context through the conversation: 

You: "Read my Database Schema context"
Cascade: [reads context]

You: "Now add a comments table that follows this schema"
Cascade: [creates migration using the context]

You: "Add the API endpoints for comments"
Cascade: [uses both schema and API patterns from context]

Troubleshooting

MCP Server Not Found

  • Verify the command path exists
  • Check that ContextPin is running
  • Restart Windsurf after configuration changes

Configuration Not Loading

  • Check JSON syntax (no trailing commas)
  • Verify the settings file path
  • Try re-adding the configuration

No Response from ContextPin

  • Make sure ContextPin is running
  • Check the workspace ID is correct
  • Look for errors in Windsurf's Output panel

Best Practices

  • Keep contexts focused — One topic per context for faster lookups
  • Use cross-references — Link related contexts together
  • Update regularly — Keep contexts in sync with your codebase
  • Name clearly — Use descriptive names for easy reference

Next Steps