Use Curio with Windsurf
Windsurf is fast at writing UI code — but left alone it reaches for the same generic look as every other AI. Connect Curio and it can apply any of 2543 real design styles instead, consistently, with no design spec to hand-write.
What this gives Windsurf
Curio runs a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. Once Windsurf is connected, its Cascade agent gains tools to search the library, read a style's metadata, and fetch the full design spec — colors, typography, spacing, components, and rules — for whatever you are building.
It is sign-in based: you connect once with OAuth, no API keys to manage, and your AI asks you before spending a credit. The same connection works in Windsurf, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex, and other MCP clients.
Connect over MCP
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1
Add the Curio MCP server
In Windsurf's MCP settings, add a new server with the URL https://mcp.designbycurio.com/mcp. The developer docs show the exact place for your Windsurf version.
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Sign in with OAuth
Windsurf opens the sign-in flow in your browser. Sign in with email, Google, or GitHub and approve the connection. Connecting and browsing are free; unlocking a style costs 1 credit, once, and your AI asks you first.
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Find a style in Cascade
In Windsurf's Cascade chat, ask it to search Curio — for example, "search Curio for a clean fintech style" — or name one directly, like Bauhaus or Stripe. It uses search_styles and get_style to pick a match.
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Build in that style
Tell Windsurf to build your component or page in the chosen style. It fetches the full spec with get_style_spec and writes the code using the style's exact tokens and rules.
What you get
Consistent output: every component Windsurf generates holds the same look, because it works from one authoritative spec instead of re-guessing each time.
Real, distinct styles: hundreds of movements, brands, and traditions — not the generic default — so your UI stops looking AI-generated.
No file wrangling: you never hand-write or hunt for a DESIGN.md; Windsurf fetches it live over MCP.
Example prompts
Search Curio for a clean fintech style and rebuild this dashboard component in it.
Use the Memphis style from Curio for this marketing page hero.
FAQ
Do I need an API key?
No. Curio's MCP server uses OAuth — you sign in once in the browser and Windsurf stays connected. There are no keys to copy or rotate.
Does fetching a style cost anything?
Only the first time. Unlocking a style costs 1 credit, once — the same unlock as on the website — and your AI asks you before spending it. After that, fetching that style is free, and searching and reading introductions are always free.
Does this work in other tools too?
Yes. The same MCP endpoint works in Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex, ChatGPT, and other MCP-capable clients. See the developer docs for per-client setup.