> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/ai/mcp-server/connect-to-an-ai-client/windsurf.md).

# Windsurf

[<mark style="color:blue;">Windsurf</mark>](https://windsurf.com) is an AI-native IDE by Codeium. It uses a standard `mcpServers` configuration almost identical to Claude Desktop.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important:** Set `IONOS_MCP_LOAD_MODE=lazy` for Windsurf. Windsurf enforces a **100-tool limit** across all connected MCP servers and a **20 tool-call limit per prompt**. Because the default eager mode registers 118 product tools, it exceeds the Windsurf platform limit, causing Windsurf to truncate the visible tool list. Setting `IONOS_MCP_LOAD_MODE=lazy` (shown in the following JSON example) resolves this issue by restricting the startup catalog to 47 tools: the 45 always-on product tools (Cloud DNS, Billing, Certificate Manager, Activity Log, Managed Kubernetes) and the 2 loader sentinels. Invoke `ionos_load_compute_tools` or `ionos_load_objectstorage_tools` on demand when you need those products.
{% endhint %}

## Prerequisites

* Windsurf installed. For more information, see [<mark style="color:blue;">windsurf.com</mark>](https://windsurf.com)
* The `ionoscloud-mcp` binary built and available. For more information, see [<mark style="color:blue;">Quick Start</mark>](/cloud/ai/mcp-server/quick-start.md)
* An <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud\_api</code> token. For least-privilege access, see [<mark style="color:blue;">Authentication</mark>](/cloud/ai/mcp-server/configuration/authentication.md#token-scope-by-product-area) to scope the token to only the tools you need.

## Add the MCP server

Open or create the Windsurf MCP configuration file:

* **macOS / Linux:** `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json`
* **Windows:** `%USERPROFILE%\.codeium\windsurf\mcp_config.json`

Add the following entry to the `mcpServers` object:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ionoscloud": {
      "command": "/usr/local/bin/ionoscloud-mcp",
      "env": {
        "IONOS_TOKEN": "your-api-token",
        "IONOS_MCP_LOAD_MODE": "lazy"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

To also enable Object Storage tools:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ionoscloud": {
      "command": "/usr/local/bin/ionoscloud-mcp",
      "env": {
        "IONOS_TOKEN": "your-api-token",
        "IONOS_S3_ACCESS_KEY": "your-access-key",
        "IONOS_S3_SECRET_KEY": "your-secret-key",
        "IONOS_MCP_LOAD_MODE": "lazy"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

Windsurf also supports environment variable interpolation; you can reference system env vars instead of hardcoding values:

```json
"IONOS_TOKEN": "${env:IONOS_TOKEN}"
```

## Verify the connection

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Reload Windsurf

Save the config file and reload the Windsurf window (**Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P** → **Reload Window**).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Confirm tools are loaded

Open Cascade (the Windsurf AI panel) and check the tool count indicator, or type: *List my* <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> *data centers.*

{% hint style="success" %}
**Result:** Windsurf responds with a list of your data centers.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** In lazy mode (recommended for Windsurf, as above), Compute Engine and Object Storage tools are loaded on demand. Ask your AI assistant to *load the Compute tools* or *load the Object Storage tools*; the server registers them and Windsurf refreshes the catalog. For more information, see [<mark style="color:blue;">Selective Tool Loading</mark>](/cloud/ai/mcp-server/configuration/selective-tool-loading.md).
{% endhint %}

For full Windsurf MCP documentation including team admin controls, see [<mark style="color:blue;">docs.windsurf.com/windsurf/cascade/mcp</mark>](https://docs.windsurf.com/windsurf/cascade/mcp).


---

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