Windsurf: MCP server not loading in Cascade (mcp_config.json location)

The error

Why it happens

Windsurf's current docs put mcp_config.json at ~/.config/devin/mcp_config.json (macOS/Linux) or %APPDATA%\devin\mcp_config.json (Windows). Older guides point at ~/.codeium/windsurf/. The file applies only to the legacy Cascade agent; the default Devin Local agent reads the Devin CLI config instead. The usual JSON, PATH, and Windows npx problems also apply.

How to fix it

1. Open the file from Windsurf
   In the Cascade panel, click the ... (Actions) menu, then Open MCP config file in the MCPs section. Use a top-level mcpServers key.

   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "context7": { "command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@upstash/context7-mcp"] }
     }
   }

2. Check which agent you are using
   If the tab runs the Devin Local agent, configure MCP in the Devin CLI config files, not mcp_config.json.
3. Apply the PATH/Windows fixes
   See spawn npx ENOENT and Windows cmd /c.

Related servers

Sources

• https://docs.windsurf.com/windsurf/cascade/mcp