Use MCP servers with Windsurf (Codeium) Cascade agent workflows.
Windsurf is Codeium's AI-native IDE. Its Cascade agent can connect to Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, extending the agent with official reference tools for files, memory, Git, fetching web pages, time zones, and structured reasoning.
PREREQUISITES
Install runtimes per the official modelcontextprotocol/servers README:
- Node.js 18+ for npx-based reference servers
- uv / uvx for Python reference servers (Git, Fetch, Time)
Verified standalone commands:
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem /path/to/allowed/dir
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-memory
uvx mcp-server-git --repository path/to/git/repo
uvx mcp-server-fetch
uvx mcp-server-time
CONFIGURATION OVERVIEW
Windsurf documents MCP server setup in its product docs (search "MCP" in Windsurf documentation). Configuration generally follows the industry-standard pattern:
- command: executable (npx, uvx, or cmd on Windows for npx)
- args: array of arguments including package name and server-specific flags
Exact file paths and UI entry points may differ from Cursor or Claude Desktop. Treat Windsurf's official documentation as authoritative for menu locations; this guide focuses on verified server commands from the MCP steering group's repository.
EXAMPLE: FILESYSTEM + MEMORY
macOS / Linux (Claude-compatible format, often accepted by Windsurf):
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
"/Users/you/projects/my-app"
]
},
"memory": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-memory"]
}
}
}
Windows (npx via cmd /c, per official README):
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "cmd",
"args": [
"/c",
"npx",
"-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
"C:\\Users\\you\\projects\\my-app"
]
},
"memory": {
"command": "cmd",
"args": ["/c", "npx", "-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-memory"]
}
}
}
WORKFLOW TIPS
- Scope filesystem access to the active workspace to reduce accidental cross-project writes.
- Combine Git MCP (uvx mcp-server-git) when Cascade needs history-aware refactors in a known repository.
- Use Fetch (uvx mcp-server-fetch) for documentation retrieval; pair with Sequential Thinking for multi-step planning.
SECURITY
Reference servers are not production security guarantees. Windsurf's agent may invoke write tools — use dry-run patterns where available (filesystem edit_file supports dryRun). Read each server's README under modelcontextprotocol/servers before enabling in corporate environments.
REFERENCES
- MCP reference servers: https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers
- Windsurf MCP documentation: Codeium/Windsurf official docs (UI steps may vary by release).