From windsurf-pack
Optimizes Windsurf IDE performance via indexing exclusions, focused workspaces, settings tweaks for faster Cascade, Supercomplete, and lower memory use.
npx claudepluginhub jeremylongshore/claude-code-plugins-plus-skills --plugin windsurf-packThis skill is limited to using the following tools:
Optimize Windsurf's indexing engine, Cascade context building, Supercomplete latency, and overall IDE responsiveness. Most performance issues stem from indexing too many files or missing exclusion patterns.
Identifies Windsurf IDE pitfalls like Cascade for simple tasks, monorepo root workspaces, vague prompts, and unreviewed changes. Use for onboarding, workflow reviews, or config audits.
Manages Cascade context and memory in Windsurf IDE for large projects. Prioritizes files, persists state across sessions, generates docs and indexes for navigation.
Guides Next.js Cache Components and Partial Prerendering (PPR): 'use cache' directives, cacheLife(), cacheTag(), revalidateTag() for caching, invalidation, static/dynamic optimization. Auto-activates on cacheComponents: true.
Share bugs, ideas, or general feedback.
Optimize Windsurf's indexing engine, Cascade context building, Supercomplete latency, and overall IDE responsiveness. Most performance issues stem from indexing too many files or missing exclusion patterns.
The indexing engine is the #1 performance factor. Exclude everything that isn't source code:
# .codeiumignore — aggressive exclusion for large codebases
# Build artifacts
node_modules/
dist/
build/
.next/
.nuxt/
.output/
.svelte-kit/
coverage/
.cache/
# Package manager
pnpm-lock.yaml
package-lock.json
yarn.lock
# Generated code
*.min.js
*.min.css
*.bundle.js
*.chunk.js
**/*.map
generated/
__generated__/
# Binary and media files
*.png
*.jpg
*.gif
*.svg
*.ico
*.mp4
*.woff
*.woff2
*.ttf
*.eot
# Data files
*.sqlite
*.db
*.sql.gz
*.csv
# Python
__pycache__/
*.pyc
.venv/
venv/
.tox/
*.egg-info/
# Go
vendor/
# Rust
target/
# DON'T: Open entire monorepo root
windsurf ~/monorepo/ # Indexes ALL packages = slow
# DO: Open specific service directories
windsurf ~/monorepo/apps/web/ # Only indexes web app
windsurf ~/monorepo/packages/api/ # Only indexes API
# Each Windsurf window gets its own focused AI context
# Cascade performs better with fewer, relevant files
// settings.json — performance-focused configuration
{
// Indexing limits
"codeium.indexing.maxFileSize": 524288,
// Reduce extension overhead
"extensions.autoUpdate": false,
"extensions.autoCheckUpdates": false,
// Editor performance
"editor.minimap.enabled": false,
"editor.renderWhitespace": "none",
"editor.bracketPairColorization.enabled": false,
// File watcher optimization
"files.watcherExclude": {
"**/node_modules/**": true,
"**/dist/**": true,
"**/.git/objects/**": true,
"**/build/**": true
},
// Search exclusions
"search.exclude": {
"**/node_modules": true,
"**/dist": true,
"**/coverage": true,
"**/*.min.js": true
}
}
## Cascade Performance Tips
1. Start fresh sessions for new tasks
- Long conversations accumulate context, slowing responses
- Click + in Cascade panel to start new conversation
2. Use @ mentions instead of describing files
- BAD: "Look at the auth service file"
- GOOD: "@src/services/auth.ts fix the token refresh logic"
3. Scope prompts narrowly
- BAD: "Refactor the authentication system"
- GOOD: "Extract JWT validation from src/middleware/auth.ts into src/services/jwt.ts"
4. Use Chat mode for questions, Write mode for edits
- Chat mode is lighter — doesn't build full edit context
- Switch modes based on intent
5. Choose the right model for the task
- SWE-1 Lite: fast, lightweight questions (no credits)
- SWE-1: standard coding tasks
- SWE-1.5 / Claude: complex multi-file tasks (worth the wait)
## Reduce Memory Usage
1. Close unused editor tabs
- Each open file adds to memory footprint
- Cmd/Ctrl+K Cmd/Ctrl+U: close unused tabs
2. Limit extensions
- Each extension consumes memory
- Disable extensions you don't actively use
- Check: Extensions > "@enabled" to review
3. Disable unused Supercomplete languages
- Settings > codeium.autocomplete.languages
- Disable for languages you don't write
4. Monitor process memory
- Help > Open Process Explorer
- Look for extensions consuming >200MB
#!/bin/bash
set -euo pipefail
echo "=== Windsurf Performance Check ==="
# Workspace size
FILE_COUNT=$(find . -type f -not -path '*/node_modules/*' -not -path '*/.git/*' | wc -l)
echo "Indexed files: ~$FILE_COUNT"
# Config status
echo "Has .codeiumignore: $([ -f .codeiumignore ] && echo 'YES' || echo 'NO (SLOW!)')"
IGNORE_LINES=$(wc -l < .codeiumignore 2>/dev/null || echo 0)
echo "Ignore patterns: $IGNORE_LINES"
# Recommendations
if [ "$FILE_COUNT" -gt 5000 ]; then
echo "WARNING: >5000 files. Add more patterns to .codeiumignore"
fi
if [ "$IGNORE_LINES" -lt 5 ]; then
echo "WARNING: Few ignore patterns. Add build artifacts, binaries, lock files"
fi
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Indexing never completes | Too many files | Add .codeiumignore, open subdirectory |
| Cascade timeout | Complex prompt + large context | Narrow scope, start fresh session |
| High memory usage | Too many extensions/tabs | Close tabs, disable unused extensions |
| Supercomplete lag | Large file open | Split large files, add to maxFileSize limit |
| IDE freezes | Extension conflict | Safe Mode: windsurf --disable-extensions |
# Create minimal .codeiumignore if missing
[ -f .codeiumignore ] || cat > .codeiumignore << 'EOF'
node_modules/
dist/
build/
.next/
coverage/
*.min.js
*.map
EOF
Command Palette (Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+P):
"Codeium: Reset Indexing"
For cost optimization, see windsurf-cost-tuning.