Windsurf supports MCP servers through a single JSON file and the Cascade panel. Here is the fastest path from nothing to a working server.
Step 1 — open the config
Windsurf stores MCP servers in ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json. Open Windsurf, go to the Cascade panel, find the MCP section, and use the link to open the config file (it creates one if missing). Full path reference: MCP config file location.
Step 2 — add a server
Paste a server entry under mcpServers. A safe first server is the filesystem one, scoped to a single folder:
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/Users/you/projects"]
}
}
}
Save the file.
Step 3 — refresh
Back in the Cascade MCP section, click Refresh. Windsurf will start the server and list its tools under "available MCP servers." If it does not appear, restart Windsurf.
Step 4 — use it
In Cascade, ask: "List the files in my projects folder." The agent calls the tool and answers from real data.
Prerequisites
- Node 18+ for
npx-based servers (node --version). - Python 3.10+ with
uvfor Python servers.
Add more servers
Each server is another key under mcpServers. Keep it to four to six — too many tools slows the agent. Browse ready-made stacks in our curated loadouts, or popular servers like GitHub, Postgres and Playwright.
If it will not connect
See Windsurf MCP not connecting — usually a PATH or JSON issue.