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How to install and use Codeium (Windsurf Plugin) in VS Code: sign-in, autocomplete, and chat

Install the Windsurf Plugin, finish sign-in, wait for the language server, then get your first inline suggestion or ask a question with @ in chat.

The first hour with the Windsurf Plugin (formerly Codeium) in VS Code usually breaks on the wrong extension, an unfinished sign-in, or autocomplete and sidebar chat never connecting after the language server download.

The query is how to install and use Codeium / Windsurf Plugin in VS Code. This page follows the VS Code section of docs.devin.ai/windsurf/plugins/getting-started and Marketplace listing Windsurf Plugin (formerly Codeium). It is Windsurf's VS Code extension, not this site's meeting product. For a short huddle, open a room on sitdraw; see how to create and join a room.

Install extensionSign inCompletions & chat

Check the correct Marketplace extension

The Windsurf Plugin (formerly Codeium) offers Autocomplete, Chat, and Command. Search for Windsurf Plugin (formerly Codeium)—the brand moved from Codeium to Windsurf. After install, the language server downloads in ~10–20 seconds.

TabAccept completion
Alt+]Next suggestion
Ctrl+Shift+AChat focus

First hour: install, sign in, autocomplete, chat

  1. 1. Install from Marketplace

    Cmd+Shift+X or Ctrl+Shift+X. Search Windsurf Plugin or Codeium, pick formerly Codeium, Install. Quick Open: ext install Codeium.codeium.

  2. 2. Sign up or sign in

    Notification or Activity Bar icon / status-bar profile. Google, GitHub, or email. Language server downloads ~10–20 s.

  3. 3. Verify Autocomplete

    Open your repo, type in a source file. Tab accept, Alt+] / Alt+[ cycle, Alt+\ trigger.

  4. 4. Chat with @ mentions

    Left sidebar Chat. Ctrl+Shift+A (macOS Cmd+Shift+A) toggles focus. Type @ for files or docs.

# First hour · Windsurf Plugin (formerly Codeium) · VS Code · 2026-09
# 1. Extensions → Windsurf Plugin (formerly Codeium)
# 2. Sign in via notification or profile icon
# 3. Wait 10–20s for language server
# 4. Tab accept · Alt+\ trigger · Alt+]/[ cycle
# 5. Ctrl+Shift+A → Chat with @ mentions
# Privacy: .codeiumignore at repo root

Features, shortcuts, privacy

FeatureOfficial behaviorFirst-hour note
AutocompleteTab accept; Alt+]/[ cycle; Alt+\ triggerWait for language server
ChatLeft sidebar; Ctrl+Shift+A; @ mentionsStart read-only
CommandPalette Windsurf/Codeium commandsSearch explain, refactor
Privacy.codeiumignore / .devinignore at repo rootExclude .env, secrets/
Telemetrytelemetry.telemetryLevel = allChat needs full telemetry
Brand has moved
Marketplace name is Windsurf Plugin (formerly Codeium). Searching Codeium still works—verify publisher.
Completion clashes
GitHub Copilot can fight Windsurf Plugin. Disable competing autocomplete for the first test.
Not a meeting-product guide
Only Windsurf Plugin first hour. Short call: sitdraw or whiteboard compare.

Questions worth checking

No completions after install?

Confirm sign-in and language server finished (10–20 s). Reload Window; check .codeiumignore is not excluding the file.

Chat cannot @ a file?

Open a folder, not a single file. @ references workspace files; large files may truncate.

How to write .codeiumignore?

Repo root, .gitignore syntax. List .env, secrets/, *.pem. .devinignore also works.

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