All comparisons

Goose vs Windsurf

A head-to-head look at Goose and Windsurf — two popular AI coding agents — and how BuySkills fits into each workflow.

Agent framework

Goose

Goose is Block's open-source AI agent framework for software engineering. It exposes an extensible toolchain — agents, extensions, and custom providers — and runs from the terminal or as an integrated runtime.

Goose plugins on BuySkills

Standalone IDE

Windsurf

Windsurf (formerly Codeium) is a VS Code-based editor built around Cascade, an agent that can reason over your whole codebase and execute multi-step workflows. It targets teams that want agentic pair programming out of the box.

Windsurf plugins on BuySkills

Side-by-side

Dimension Goose Windsurf
Surface Agent framework Standalone IDE
In a nutshell Block's open-source agent framework Codeium's agentic IDE with Cascade
BuySkills install command npx buyskills install <skill> npx buyskills install <skill>
Cross-agent skill sharing Yes — via BuySkills Yes — via BuySkills

Use both with a single skill catalog

You don't have to pick. BuySkills lets you install a skill once and use it across Goose, Windsurf, and every other supported AI coding agent — without repurchasing or reconfiguring.

  • One command to install in either agent: npx buyskills install <skill>
  • Skills pinned to a version you choose — Goose or Windsurf updates won't break your loop
  • Explore plugins by category: testing, refactoring, documentation, git workflows, and more
Testing for Goose Refactoring for Goose Documentation for Goose Git Workflows for Goose Deployment for Goose Database for Goose

Goose vs Windsurf — FAQ

Should I pick Goose or Windsurf?

It depends on where you work. Goose is block's open-source agent framework, while Windsurf is codeium's agentic ide with cascade. Many developers use both and share skills across them via BuySkills — so the choice is less binary than it used to be.

Can I use the same plugins in Goose and Windsurf?

Yes. BuySkills is designed for cross-agent portability. Install a skill once with the BuySkills CLI and it becomes available in both Goose and Windsurf — and every other supported agent — without a second purchase or install.

How is installing BuySkills skills different between Goose and Windsurf?

It isn't, from your side. You run `npx buyskills install <skill>`, and the CLI writes the skill to the directory each agent reads from. Goose and Windsurf pick up the skill without any extra config.

Do BuySkills skills replace Goose extensions?

No — they complement them. Goose extensions wire raw tools into the agent runtime. BuySkills skills are higher-level, reusable capability bundles that Goose can call just like any other tool.

Do skills work with Windsurf's Cascade agent?

Yes. BuySkills installs skills into Windsurf's shared skill directory, and Cascade picks them up without restart. Skills are available the moment Cascade decides to use them in a workflow.

Still deciding?

Install BuySkills CLI once and the skills you discover today work in whichever agent you pick tomorrow.

Explore the marketplace