Being AI Ready
AI Coding

Devin Desktop

An AI-native code editor and agent manager, formerly known as Windsurf, now owned and rebranded by Cognition (maker of Devin) as part of a unified local and cloud agent product line.

Visit website

What it does

Devin Desktop is an AI-native, VS Code-based editor that doubles as a command center for managing both local coding agents and Cognition’s cloud-based Devin agent from one interface. It’s the direct continuation of Windsurf, itself a rebrand of Codeium, following Cognition’s December 2025 acquisition, now positioned less as just an editor and more as a hub for orchestrating multiple AI agents on a codebase simultaneously.

Ideal users

  • Existing Windsurf users — migration is automatic, with settings and extensions preserved
  • Developers who want to manage both local editor agents and Cognition's cloud Devin agents from one place
  • Teams wanting an open agent-editor protocol rather than a closed integration
  • Users who want a VS Code-like editor with agentic features built in natively rather than bolted on

Who should avoid it

  • You were relying on Cascade specifically — it reaches end-of-life July 1, 2026, replaced by Devin Local
  • You need offline or air-gapped use — an internet connection and Cognition account are required
  • You want a mature, long-track-record brand — this is a very recent rebrand still stabilizing
  • You need JetBrains-native support rather than a VS Code-based editor

Key features

  • Agent Command Center — a Kanban-style view unifying local and cloud agents
  • Devin Local, a Rust-rewritten successor to Cascade that is more token-efficient and supports subagents
  • Spaces for shared context, Git worktrees, and sessions across agents
  • SWE-1.6, a free proprietary in-house model
  • Agent Client Protocol (ACP), an open standard for connecting third-party agents
  • Cloud agent access (Devin) starting from the Pro plan
  • Full VS Code compatibility for extensions, themes, and keybindings

Pros

  • Free tier includes unlimited autocomplete and inline edits
  • Agent Command Center gives visibility across multiple concurrent agents
  • Backed by Cognition's Devin technology and funding
  • Smooth migration path for existing Windsurf users — nothing breaks
  • Adopting the open ACP standard reduces lock-in risk

Cons

  • Brand and product identity is in flux — Codeium to Windsurf to Devin Desktop in under 2 years
  • Cascade's abrupt end-of-life may disrupt workflows built around it
  • No offline or air-gapped option
  • Frontier models and real agent quota require a paid plan

Pricing

Free — $20/month (Pro)

Free (limited quota/models), Pro $20/month, Max $200/month, Teams $80/month base plus $40/month per seat, Enterprise custom; plans use daily/weekly usage quotas rather than pure credit pools, with extra usage billed at API pricing.

Typical workflows

  • Developers use the free tier for everyday autocomplete, then upgrade to Pro to unlock frontier-model chat and agent access for larger features.
  • The Agent Command Center is used to hand off longer-running or multi-file tasks to Devin Local or the cloud Devin agent while continuing other work, then review results as they land.

Integrations

  • VS Code-compatible editor (extensions, keybindings, LSPs carry over)
  • ACP support for third-party agent integrations
  • Devin Cloud, Devin CLI, Devin Review

Privacy & security notes

Per Cognition's official documentation, data-training defaults differ by plan: Pro and Max users may have data used for training by default but can opt out anytime in Data Controls, which also enables Zero Data Retention with model providers; on Teams, only admins can opt out; Enterprise customers are never trained on without express prior written consent. The free tier isn't explicitly addressed, so the same default training use likely applies there.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same product as Windsurf?

Yes — same company (Cognition), same underlying editor, renamed June 2, 2026; existing plans and settings carried over automatically.

What happened to Cascade?

It's being phased out, with end-of-life July 1, 2026, in favor of Devin Local, a faster Rust-based rewrite.

Does it work offline?

No, an internet connection and Cognition account are required for AI features.

Can I still use my VS Code extensions?

Yes, it's a VS Code fork, so themes, extensions, and keybindings transfer.

Best alternatives