How to Use Windsurf Editor Carefully to Avoid Wasting Credits

Windsurf’s new pricing and credit system introduces a tiered approach, with limited monthly credits for premium AI models and actions. Here are practical strategies to help you maximize your credits and avoid unnecessary spending:

1. Prefer Free Features When Possible

• Use the Cascade Base model for unlimited, free usage. It covers many everyday development needs and doesn’t consume credits¹.
• Rely on tab autocomplete for code writing and simple edits, as these actions often do not use up credits².

2. Optimize Credit-Consuming Actions

• For simple code edits, use shortcuts like CTRL+I, which supports several models and does not consume credits².
• Reserve premium models (like GPT-4o or Claude Sonnet) for tasks that truly require advanced AI capabilities¹.

3. Be Strategic with Cascade and Flow Actions

• Avoid using Cascade (CTRL+L chat) for every minor task. Use it only when necessary, and prefer less expensive models (e.g., Flash, Seek R, or Base) for simple conversations².
• Don’t use Cascade as a substitute for basic utilities (e.g., code formatting or rearranging lines), which can be done with standard tools².
• For general questions unrelated to your codebase, use external resources like documentation or web search instead of consuming credits².

4. Leverage Cascade Autogenerated Memories

• Take advantage of Cascade’s autogenerated memories, which store important context and details across sessions without consuming flow action credits³.
• By using these memories, you can avoid repeating research tasks and reduce the need for repeated prompts, saving credits in the long run³.

5. Refine Your Prompts and Workflows

• Craft prompts thoughtfully to get concise, efficient answers, reducing the need for multiple interactions².
• For recurring tasks, create Cascade memories with general guidelines or overviews (like a README) to minimize repeated analysis and credit use².

6. Monitor and Analyze Credit Usage

• Regularly review your credit consumption patterns. If you notice certain actions are draining credits quickly, adjust your workflow or prompt style accordingly².
• If you hit credit limits on Flow Actions but still have User Prompt credits, focus on tasks that rely more on prompts and less on automated actions².

7. Avoid Unintended Credit Drains

• When using Cascade for terminal or file operations, ask for command suggestions rather than letting Cascade execute actions, which can trigger unnecessary flow actions².

8. Consider Flex Credits and Plan Selection

• If you need more credits occasionally, purchase Flex credits instead of upgrading your plan, as they roll over indefinitely and provide flexibility¹.
• Only upgrade to higher tiers if your usage consistently exceeds the lower-tier limits.

Summary Table: Key Tips to Avoid Wasting Credits

By following these strategies, you can make the most of Windsurf’s features without running out of credits or incurring unnecessary costs²¹³.