Think in Flows, Not One-Shot Prompts
Cascade is designed for multi-step "flows": it reasons about a task, proposes edits across several files, runs your build or tests, reads the output, and corrects course. Frame requests as outcomes ("add pagination to the users endpoint and update the tests") rather than single edits, and let the agent sequence the steps.
Use Memories for Things That Should Persist
Windsurf's memories let the assistant retain facts about your project across sessions — architecture decisions, naming conventions, gotchas. Some are captured automatically; you can also create them explicitly. This is the antidote to re-explaining your stack every morning.
Pin Conventions with a Rules File
A rules file gives Cascade standing instructions: preferred frameworks, directory layout, testing approach, and hard constraints. Rules are deterministic context the agent always honors, so they're the right home for "never commit secrets" or "use the repository pattern for data access".
Scope the Agent to Stay Accurate
On a large repo, an unscoped request makes the agent guess where to work. Point it at the relevant directory or files and state the boundary ("only touch the billing/ module"). Narrow scope means fewer wrong files touched and a smaller diff to review.
Review the Plan and the Terminal Output
Cascade surfaces what it intends to do and the commands it runs. Read both. If a test fails mid-flow, the agent will often try to fix it — make sure the fix addresses the cause, not just silences the failure.
The biggest accuracy win with any agent is giving it a way to verify itself. Make sure Windsurf can run your test suite so Cascade gets feedback on its own changes instead of guessing.
Commit Between Flows
Treat each completed flow as a checkpoint and commit. If the next flow goes wrong you revert cleanly, and your git history stays a readable sequence of intentful changes rather than one giant agent dump.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cascade?
Cascade is Windsurf's agentic assistant — it plans, edits multiple files, and runs commands as a coordinated flow, reading results and iterating rather than producing a single suggestion.
How are memories different from a rules file?
Rules are explicit, deterministic instructions you author. Memories are persistent facts (some captured automatically) that give the agent continuity across sessions.
Does Windsurf work on big codebases?
Yes, but scope your requests. Pointing the agent at the relevant module keeps it accurate and the diffs reviewable.