Windsurf rules
Windsurf rules in .devin/rules/ or .windsurf/rules/ inject based on activation mode . GSC showed impressions on /ides/windsurf#rules — this spoke targets that intent.
Hub: Tokenminning in Windsurf.
Activation modes
| Mode | Context cost |
|---|---|
always_on / root AGENTS.md | Every Cascade message |
model_decision | Description always; full rule on demand |
glob | Only when matching files touched |
manual (@rule-name) | Only when you @mention it |
Prefer glob and manual over always_on.
Size caps
| Scope | Cap |
|---|---|
| Global rules | 6,000 characters |
| Workspace rules | 12,000 characters per file |
Do not duplicate the same instructions in rules, AGENTS.md, and .windsurfrules.
AGENTS.md
Use AGENTS.md for directory-scoped conventions instead of always-on root rules when possible. Same pattern as Devin rules.
vs Memories
Memories do not consume quota but still add tokens when retrieved. Prefer a Rule or AGENTS.md entry for durable team knowledge.
Checklist
- Audit
always_onrules — convert toglobwhere possible - Split oversized rule files under caps
- Remove duplicate instructions across config surfaces
@manualrules only when needed this session
Related
Last updated on