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Prerequisites

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Step 1: Add CORE MCP in Windsurf

  1. Open Windsurf IDE
  2. Navigate to Windsurf Settings → Cascade section
  3. Open MCP Marketplace -> Settings OR View raw config to open the configuration file
  4. Add the following to your mcp_config.json:
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "core-memory": {
      "serverUrl": "https://app.getcore.me/api/v1/mcp?source=windsurf"
    }
  }
}
  1. Save the file and restart Windsurf IDE

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Step 2: Authenticate with CORE

  1. After saving the config, Windsurf will open a browser window for authentication
  2. Grant Windsurf permission to access your CORE memory

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Step 3: Verify Connection

  1. Go to Cascade Editor → Plugin Icon -> Hit Refresh icon
  2. Confirm core-memory shows as Active with green indicator
Add your first memory:
“Summarise the whole project in detail and add it to CORE Memory”

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Alternative: Using API Key Method

If the OAuth authentication doesn’t work, use the API key method instead:

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Step 1: Get Your API Key

  1. Log into your CORE dashboard at app.getcore.me
  2. Navigate to Settings (bottom left)
  3. Go to API Key → Generate new key → Name it “windsurf”
  4. Copy the generated key

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Step 2: Update MCP Configuration

Replace your mcp_config.json configuration with: 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "core-memory": {
      "serverUrl": "https://app.getcore.me/api/v1/mcp/source=windsurf",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer <YOUR_TOKEN>"
      }
    }
  }
}
Replace <YOUR_TOKEN> with the API key you copied from Step 1.

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Step 3: Restart and Verify

  1. Save the file and restart Windsurf IDE
  2. Go to Cascade Editor → Plugin Icon → Hit Refresh
  3. Confirm core-memory shows as Active with green indicator
Create AGENTS.md in your project root (or append if it already exists) and add the memory protocol from the Memory Rules guide. Use this frontmatter for AGENTS.md: 
---
trigger: always_on
---
Then paste the memory protocol content below it.

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How It Works

Once connected, CORE memory integrates with Windsurf’s Cascade:
  • Auto-recall: Cascade searches your memory at conversation start
  • Auto-store: Key insights saved automatically after conversations
  • Cross-platform: Memory shared across Windsurf, Cursor, Claude Code, ChatGPT
  • Project continuity: Context persists across all coding sessions

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Troubleshooting

Connection Issues:
  • Ensure core-memory MCP is active (green indicator)
  • Try toggling the MCP off and on
  • Restart Windsurf IDE completely
Authentication Problems:
  • Make sure you completed the OAuth flow in browser
  • Check that your CORE account is active at app.getcore.me
MCP Not Appearing:
  • Verify mcp_config.json syntax is valid JSON
  • Restart Windsurf after config changes

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Need Help?

Join our Discord community - ask in #core-support channel.