Windsurf Auto Model Switcher

Windsurf Auto Model Switcher

Switch Windsurf Cascade AI models programmatically using keyboard simulation.

MUST-NOT-FORGET

• Requires custom keybindings (see SETUP.md)
• German keyboards: Use F-keys, not Ctrl+Alt (AltGr conflict)
• Model selector requires Windsurf window focus
• Auto-switching requires safety check (screenshot verification)

Model Hints in STRUT

STRUT Strategy sections may include model hints:

├─ Strategy: Analyze requirements, design solution
│   - Opus for analysis, Sonnet for implementation

Model hints are recommendations - agent decides based on actual task.

Prerequisites

1. Run SETUP.md to install keybindings
2. Restart Windsurf after setup

Files

• select-windsurf-model-in-ide.ps1 - Select a model by search query
• windsurf-model-registry.json - All available models and costs
• update-model-registry/UPDATE_WINDSURF_MODEL_REGISTRY.md - Workflow to update the registry

Usage

# Select Claude Sonnet 4.5
.\select-windsurf-model-in-ide.ps1 -Query "sonnet 4.5"

# Select Claude Opus 4.5 (Thinking)
.\select-windsurf-model-in-ide.ps1 -Query "opus 4.5 thinking"

# Select GPT-5.2 Low Reasoning
.\select-windsurf-model-in-ide.ps1 -Query "gpt-5.2 low"

Model Registry

See windsurf-model-registry.json for all available models and their credit costs.

To update the registry, see update-model-registry/UPDATE_WINDSURF_MODEL_REGISTRY.md.

Keybindings

Installed by SETUP.md:

• Ctrl+Shift+F9 - Open model selector
• Ctrl+Shift+F10 - Cycle to next model

Troubleshooting

Script types into editor: Run SETUP.md and restart Windsurf.

Model doesn't change: Ensure Cascade panel is visible.

Special characters (German keyboard): Use F-keys, not Ctrl+Alt.

Source: karstenheld3/OpenAI-BackendTools — distributed by TomeVault.