MCP · Windsurf

Windsurf web search MCP setup

Add the search_web tool to Windsurf Cascade: one JSON file, a curated English and Chinese index, and explicit fetched_at timestamps.

Config file location

  • ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json — global MCP configuration for Windsurf on this machine.
  • You can also open Windsurf Settings → Cascade → MCP Servers to edit the configuration directly.

The JSON

Install the annolux-mcp binary first (see the MCP overview below), then add this server block. Replace the key placeholder with your real API key.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "annolux": {
      "command": "annolux-mcp",
      "env": {
        "ANNOLUX_API_URL": "https://api.annolux.com",
        "ANNOLUX_API_KEY": "ann_live_REPLACE_ME"
      }
    }
  }
}

How Cascade uses search_web

In Windsurf Cascade, the agent calls search_web automatically when you ask questions about recent libraries, API specs, or debugging errors. Cascade sends the query and receives source-attributed results with explicit timestamps.

Point it at documentation you trust

Ask Cascade to restrict search to trusted official documentation: "Search for React Server Components best practices with domains limited to react.dev". Results remain clean and bounded.

Troubleshooting

  • Command not found: specify the absolute path from `which annolux-mcp` in the command field.
  • After updating the JSON config, click Refresh in Cascade MCP settings or restart Windsurf.
  • Empty results indicate the query is outside the curated index — not a server failure.

Boundaries and credits

search_web queries a curated English and Chinese index. Only a successful 2xx search costs one credit; errors and timeouts cost zero. New accounts start with 1,000 free credits.