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Tab

Introduction​

Windsurf Tab accelerates high‑quality coding by turning your editor into a fast, context‑aware assistant:

  • Accept inline suggestions, refactors, and deletions
  • Jump your cursor to the next logical spot (Tab to Jump)
  • Auto‑insert imports (Tab to Import) without breaking your flow
  • Suggest in the middle of a line (FIM) and even from terminal context

Setup (Settings → Tab)​

  • Enable Autocomplete and Supercomplete; set speed to Default or Fast based on hardware
  • Toggle on Tab to Import and Tab to Jump
  • Optional: Use Clipboard as context for better in‑file and cross‑file suggestions
  • Optional: Highlight code after accept to quickly review changes

Do’s and Don’ts (Code Quality Focus)​

  • Do accept word‑by‑word for precision on critical logic
  • Do use Tab to Import to keep imports clean and consistent
  • Do review suggested deletions (Supercomplete) to avoid accidental behavior changes
  • Do prefer FIM for mid‑line edits to reduce retyping and preserve style
  • Do tune speed so suggestions arrive quickly but aren’t distracting
  • Don’t accept large, multi‑line changes without scanning for API/side‑effect risks
  • Don’t keep unused imports after edits; re‑trigger Tab to Import or run your linter/formatter
  • Don’t accept suggestions that bypass tests or weaken types just to “make it compile”

Tips (Fast Flow)​

  • Accept: Tab; Cancel: Esc
  • Word‑by‑word accept: VS Code Cmd+Right, JetBrains Alt+Shift+\\
  • Cycle suggestions: Alt+] / Alt+[
  • Tab to Jump: let Windsurf move the cursor to the next edit site (great for implementing TODO chains)
  • Tab to Import: define a symbol first, then press Tab to insert the import while staying in place
  • FIM: place cursor mid‑line to get surgical completions that preserve surrounding code
  • Terminal context: Tab learns from your terminal, enabling relevant code/task suggestions
  • Clipboard context: copy sample code/contract, then accept suggestions tailored to it