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How to Setup MCP in Windsurf (Cascade)

Agentic IDE

Step-by-step setup guide for connecting Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers to Windsurf (Cascade) by Codeium.

Configuration File: mcp_config.json

%USERPROFILE%\.codeium\windsurf\mcp_config.json

Example mcp_config.json Template

Open in Config Generator 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "./"]
    }
  }
}

Installation Steps

1

Locate mcp_config.json

Find the configuration file at %USERPROFILE%\.codeium\windsurf\mcp_config.json.

2

Add MCP server entries

Open the file and add your server definitions inside the configuration schema.

3

Set environment variables

Provide any required API keys, database URLs, or access tokens in the environment section.

4

Save and reload

Save mcp_config.json and hot-reload or restart Windsurf (Cascade).

5

Verify in chat

Ask Windsurf (Cascade) to list tools or execute a task with the connected MCP server.

Windsurf (Cascade) Protocol Support

Stdio Transport Supported

Stdio process spawns

SSE / HTTP Transport Supported

SSE endpoints

Tool Calling Supported

Cascade automated terminal & code changes

Resources API Supported

Read-only file attachments

Prompts API Supported

Cascade workflows

Roots Boundary Supported

Multi-root workspace detection

Dynamic Hot-Reload Supported

Reload button in settings

Windsurf (Cascade) Setup FAQ

Where is the Windsurf (Cascade) MCP config file located?

On Windows: %USERPROFILE%\.codeium\windsurf\mcp_config.json. On macOS: ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json. On Linux: ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.

Does Windsurf (Cascade) support MCP tools and stdio transports?

Windsurf (Cascade) supports stdio transports and supports autonomous tool calling.

How do I reload MCP servers in Windsurf (Cascade)?

Reload button in settings