Best Windsurf Rules for AI Coding: Complete Guide 2025
Compare top platforms, find quality rules, and build better apps with Windsurf AI editor
Windsurf rules are custom instructions that guide the Windsurf AI editor to write better code for your specific tech stack, coding style, and project requirements. Whether you're building with React, Next.js, Django, or any modern framework, the right Windsurf rules dramatically improve AI-generated code quality.
This guide compares the best Windsurf rules platforms and shows you how to find, test, and install quality rules for your projects.
Where to Find the Best Windsurf Rules
The Windsurf ecosystem is rapidly growing with three main platforms offering rules discovery:
1. PRPM (prpm.dev) - Full Package Management
Best for: Developers who want CLI installation, version control, testing before installing, and cross-editor compatibility.
- CLI installation:
prpm install @package-name— no manual file copying - Testing playground: Test rules with real AI models before installing
- Quality metrics: Ratings, download counts, automated quality scoring
- Version control: Semantic versioning, update management, dependency tracking
- Format conversion: Install Cursor rules, Claude skills, or Copilot instructions as Windsurf format
- Free tier: Unlimited browsing, installation, and publishing
2. Windsurf.run - Curated Directory
Best for: Browsing Windsurf-specific rules and MCP server integrations.
Note: From the same creators as cursor.directory
- Curated collection: Focused on quality over quantity
- MCP servers: Integrations for GitHub, PostgreSQL, Supabase, Docker, Kubernetes
- Framework rules: Next.js, React, Vue, NestJS, FastAPI, Django, Flask
- Manual installation: Copy-paste from web interface
- No version control: Static rules, no update mechanism
- UI quirk: Infinite scroll appears endless but actually repeats entries after first page
- Advertisements: Site contains ads that can distract from content discovery
3. Playbooks (playbooks.com) - Community Learning Platform
Best for: Beginners learning AI-assisted development ("vibe coding").
- Free tutorials: Learn-by-doing approach for beginners
- Community forum: Troubleshooting and peer support
- Example prompts: Adaptable rules for various tech stacks
- Multi-tool support: Rules for Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, Lovable
- No CLI: Manual copying required
- Limited discovery: Smaller rule collection
- Advertisements: Ad-supported model may interrupt user experience
Feature Comparison
| Feature | PRPM | Windsurf.run | Playbooks |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLI Installation | ✓ prpm install | ✗ Manual copy | ✗ Manual copy |
| Testing Before Install | ✓ Playground | ✗ None | ✗ None |
| Quality Metrics | ✓ Ratings, downloads | ~ Curated only | ~ Community votes |
| Version Control | ✓ Semantic versioning | ✗ Static rules | ✗ Static examples |
| Format Conversion | ✓ Any format → Windsurf | ✗ Windsurf only | ~ Multi-tool examples |
| Collection Size | 7000+ packages | ~50 curated | ~30 tutorials |
| Update Management | ✓ prpm update | ✗ Manual re-copy | ✗ Manual tracking |
| Learning Resources | ✓ Docs + Examples | ~ Basic guides | ✓ Full tutorials |
| Advertisements | ✗ Ad-free | ✓ Contains ads | ✓ Ad-supported |
| Best For | Production teams | Quick exploration | Learning basics |
How to Find the Best Windsurf Rules for Your Stack
Finding quality Windsurf rules for your specific tech stack is crucial for AI-assisted development. Here's what to look for:
1. Match Your Framework
The best Windsurf rules are tailored to your stack. Look for rules specifically designed for:
- Frontend: React, Next.js, Vue, Svelte, Angular
- Backend: Node.js, Django, FastAPI, Rails, NestJS
- Mobile: React Native, Flutter, Expo
- Full-stack: T3 Stack, RedwoodJS, Remix
2. Check Quality Signals
On PRPM, every Windsurf rule package includes quality metrics:
- Automated quality score: 0-5 rating based on content analysis
- Download count: How many developers trust this rule
- User ratings: Real feedback from production use
- Test coverage: Verified examples and test cases
- Maintenance status: Last updated, version history
3. Test Before Installing
PRPM's playground lets you test Windsurf rules with real AI models before installing:
# Test a rule with your actual prompt
prpm playground @react/modern-patterns "Create a form with validation"
# See exactly what code quality you'll get
# Then decide if it's the right rule for youNo other Windsurf rules platform offers this — Windsurf.run and Playbooks require manual installation before you can test.
4. Version Control & Updates
The best Windsurf rules evolve with framework updates. PRPM provides semantic versioning:
# Install specific version
prpm install @next/app-router@1.2.0
# Update to latest
prpm update @next/app-router
# See changelog
prpm info @next/app-routerQuick Start
# Install PRPM CLI
npm install -g prpm
# Search best Windsurf rules for your stack
prpm search "react" --format windsurf
prpm search "next.js" --format windsurf
prpm search "django" --format windsurf
# Test before installing (unique to PRPM)
prpm playground @stevermeister/react-best-practices "Create form component"
# Install Windsurf rules
prpm install @stevermeister/react-best-practices
# Install for Next.js full-stack
prpm install @andra2112s/nextjs-typescript-fullstack
# Or convert any Cursor/Claude rule to Windsurf format
prpm install @cursor/typescript-strict --format windsurf
# Publish your own Windsurf rules
prpm init
prpm publishPopular Windsurf Rules Collections
Here are popular Windsurf rules packages available on PRPM:
- @stevermeister/react-best-practices: Comprehensive React development with TypeScript, hooks, and modern patterns
- @andra2112s/nextjs-typescript-fullstack: Next.js 15 full-stack with App Router, Server Components, and TypeScript
- @stevermeister/vue-composition-api: Vue 3 Composition API with Pinia, Vite, and TypeScript
- @stevermeister/fastapi-modern: Modern FastAPI with async patterns, Pydantic V2, and best practices
- @stevermeister/django-python: Django development with async ORM, type hints, and production patterns
- @stevermeister/typescript-strict: Strict TypeScript configuration with modern features and type safety
- @kinopeee/cascade-core-principles: Windsurf Cascade AI assistant core operating principles
- @obviousworks/vibe-coding-global-rules: Universal AI coding standards for simplicity, security, and feature-based development
Browse all 7000+ packages at prpm.dev/search
Choosing the Right Platform
Use PRPM if: You want professional package management, CLI installation, testing before installing, version control, and cross-editor compatibility. Best for production teams and serious developers.
Use Windsurf.run if: You want a curated directory of Windsurf-specific rules and MCP server integrations from the cursor.directory team. Good for quick exploration, but note the actual collection is smaller than it appears (infinite scroll repeats entries).
Use Playbooks if: You're new to AI-assisted coding and want tutorials and community support. Best for beginners learning the basics of "vibe coding."
Pro tip: Most professional developers use PRPM for production work and reference Windsurf.run for MCP server discovery. Be aware that Windsurf.run's endless scroll creates the illusion of more content than actually exists—entries eventually start repeating. Both Windsurf.run and Playbooks use ad-supported models, while PRPM is completely ad-free for an uninterrupted development workflow.
Start Using the Best Windsurf Rules Today
Get CLI installation, quality metrics, testing playground, and version control for your Windsurf AI editor. 7000+ packages available now.