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Cognition · Setup guide

How to set up Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)

Set up Devin Desktop’s current editor surface, formerly Windsurf, import only the settings you need, and test the agent on a small repository before switching a team.

Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)

own ide · checked August 8, 2026

~8 minBeginner
Start installOpen Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)Compare itBuyer guide

The “Open Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf)” link goes to the vendor site. It is not an affiliate-tracked link on this page — no commission is claimed for that click. Affiliate disclosure.

Before you begin

  • A supported macOS, Windows, or Linux environment for the desktop editor.
  • A Devin account for the current product surface.
  • A supported IDE if you choose the plugin path.

Authentication

Account sign-in in the desktop app or plugin

Account: Devin account

Enterprise and remote-development paths can have separate installation and access requirements. This is Devin Desktop — not Devin Cloud.

Install or open it

1. Get the harness ready

These steps are written for beginners. On Mac, Terminal is the black/white text window where you type commands. On Windows, use PowerShell or Terminal. Use the OS tabs to hide steps that are not for your computer, then copy one command at a time.

  1. 01

    Download Devin Desktop on a Mac

    Mac

    Open https://devin.ai/download in a browser. Download the Mac installer, open the .dmg, drag the app to Applications, then launch it. If macOS blocks the app, use Open Anyway in System Settings → Privacy & Security.

    Devin Desktop download
  2. 02

    Download Devin Desktop on Windows

    Windows

    Download the Windows installer from https://devin.ai/download, run the .exe, accept defaults unless you have a reason to change them, then launch from the Start menu.

    Devin Desktop download
  3. 03

    Add the Devin Desktop apt repo (Debian/Ubuntu)

    Linux

    Repository URLs still use the pre-rebrand windsurf hostnames; the package is `devin-desktop`. The tarball download does not self-update.

    bash
    sudo apt-get install wget gpg && wget -qO- "https://windsurf-stable.codeiumdata.com/wVxQEIWkwPUEAGf3/windsurf.gpg" | gpg --dearmor > windsurf-stable.gpg && sudo install -D -o root -g root -m 644 windsurf-stable.gpg /etc/apt/keyrings/windsurf-stable.gpg && echo "deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/windsurf-stable.gpg] https://windsurf-stable.codeiumdata.com/wVxQEIWkwPUEAGf3/apt stable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/windsurf.list > /dev/null && rm -f windsurf-stable.gpg && sudo apt install apt-transport-https && sudo apt update && sudo apt install devin-desktop

    You should see: The installer finishes without an error. Open a new terminal before the verify step so PATH updates apply.

    If this fails
    • The install command errors, or the next verify step says “command not found”. Re-run the official install command with network access, then open a brand-new terminal window before verifying.
    Devin Desktop install
  4. 04

    Add the Devin Desktop dnf repo (Fedora/RHEL)

    Linux

    Import the signing key, add the yum repo with hourly metadata, then install `devin-desktop`.

    bash
    sudo rpm --import https://windsurf-stable.codeiumdata.com/wVxQEIWkwPUEAGf3/yum/RPM-GPG-KEY-windsurf && sudo tee /etc/yum.repos.d/windsurf.repo > /dev/null <<'EOF'
[windsurf]
name=Windsurf Repository
baseurl=https://windsurf-stable.codeiumdata.com/wVxQEIWkwPUEAGf3/yum/repo/
enabled=1
autorefresh=1
gpgcheck=1
metadata_expire=1h
gpgkey=https://windsurf-stable.codeiumdata.com/wVxQEIWkwPUEAGf3/yum/RPM-GPG-KEY-windsurf
EOF
sudo dnf install -y devin-desktop

    You should see: The installer finishes without an error. Open a new terminal before the verify step so PATH updates apply.

    If this fails
    • The install command errors, or the next verify step says “command not found”. Re-run the official install command with network access, then open a brand-new terminal window before verifying.
    Devin Desktop install
  5. 05

    Confirm the product name

    Windsurf became Devin Desktop in June 2026. Cascade (local agent) reached EOL through July 2026 — Desktop’s current local agent is Devin Local. Cloud Devin is a different product with its own setup guide.

    Devin Desktop

Repository or project

2. Start in the right place

Keep the first repository small, clean, and easy to roll back while you learn the harness’s permissions and context model.

  1. 01

    Open or import a repository

    Open the project folder and import VS Code or Cursor settings selectively so the first run remains easy to diagnose.

  2. 02

    Check Devin Local (not Cascade)

    Cascade reached EOL through July 2026. Use Devin Local as the current desktop agent. Confirm model, permissions, and workspace boundary before asking for edits.

    Devin Desktop docs

First run

Trace one user flow

Use this task to test the workflow before handing over a larger repository or production responsibility.

  1. 01Ask the agent to trace one request or component flow without editing.
  2. 02Ask it to list the relevant tests and configuration files.
  3. 03Request a documentation-only patch and review the diff.

Why this is safe: It tests indexing, editor context, and agent permissions while keeping the requested change reversible.

Stop and review if

  • The agent cannot explain which files it inspected.
  • The imported settings expose unrelated workspaces or credentials.
  • A preview or generated patch changes configuration without approval.

The operating boundary

Privacy, data, and cost

The setup is incomplete until you know what the harness can see, what account pays for it, and who approves a risky action.

Privacy

Review current Devin Desktop privacy, team, and enterprise controls before indexing proprietary code.

Training on code: tier dependent

Enterprise and remote-development terms can differ from individual desktop usage.

Sensitive repos: Use workspace boundaries and repository ignore rules, and confirm the applicable plan’s data policy with your administrator.

Pricing

Self-serve Free/Pro/Max/Teams combine plan quotas with on-demand overage. Enterprise may use ACUs. Desktop quota can be shared with cloud sessions/CLI.

Model: hybrid

Watch out: Confirm whether the quote covers Desktop only or also Devin Cloud. Extra usage often bills at API list prices after quota.

Estimate a seat stack

When setup goes wrong

  • The plugin installs but the language server does not start.

    Restart the IDE, check network access, and review the official plugin compatibility requirements.

  • A remote-development setup behaves differently from local use.

    Install the documented host and client plugins separately and follow the remote-development path.

  • Imported settings create noisy or incorrect context.

    Remove broad settings and extensions, then add only the project-specific configuration you can verify.

  • You wanted a browser cloud agent, not a desktop IDE.

    That is Devin Cloud — use /ai-harnesses/setup/devin-cloud and https://app.devin.ai instead of the Desktop download.

Next steps

After the first successful run

Keep the pilot small, then compare surfaces and budget before a team rollout.

Compare harnessesBuyer guideOpen-source agents hubAI stack cost calculatorGPU inference (rent)Local GPU sizingBuyer guidesLocal open-source AI guide

Setup details change quickly. The page was checked August 8, 2026; use the official source below before installing in a managed or production environment.

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