Publishing Your Windsurf Project: 4 Hosting Options Compared
You built something in Windsurf. Cascade wrote the code, it works in preview, and now you're staring at the question the docs mostly skip: how do you get this thing on the internet?
Windsurf's Cascade panel has a built-in deploy button. That's the easy path. But it's not the only path, and depending on what you built, it might not even be the right one.
Here are 4 options with honest tradeoffs.
The 4 options at a glance
| Option | Cost | Setup time | Custom domain | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windsurf built-in (Netlify) | Free (Netlify free tier) | 2 min | Yes | Quick deploy, React/Next.js |
| HTML Pub | Free / $12/mo | 1 min | Yes (paid) | Static HTML, no build step |
| GitHub Pages | Free | 10-15 min | Yes | Developers, version control |
| Netlify (manual) | Free (free tier) | 5-10 min | Yes | More control than built-in |
Option 1: Windsurf's built-in deploy (via Cascade)
Cascade has a Deploy panel. Look for the deploy tab in the Cascade sidebar.
It connects directly to Netlify and can push your project in about two clicks.
What you need: A Netlify account (free). The first time, you'll authenticate. After that, Cascade handles the deploy.
What it does well: Zero friction if you're already in Windsurf. Works for React, Next.js, Vite, and most modern frameworks. Netlify's free tier gives you HTTPS and a .netlify.app subdomain automatically.
What it doesn't do well: You're tied to Netlify. If your project uses a framework Cascade doesn't fully support, you'll get a build error and have to debug it outside Windsurf. Also: Windsurf's preview and Netlify's build environment are not identical, so "it works in Cascade" doesn't always mean "it deploys cleanly."
Bottom line: Use this if you built a React or Next.js app and want it live in under 5 minutes.
Option 2: HTML Pub
If Windsurf generated static HTML (a landing page, a one-pager, a site that doesn't need a build step), HTML Pub is the fastest path from file to live URL.
You paste the HTML or drop the file. It's live. No GitHub repo, no build config, no Netlify dashboard.
HTML Pub gives you a .htmlpub.com subdomain on the free plan. Custom domain is on the paid plan ($12/mo). If you're prototyping or shipping a simple page, the free version is enough to share with anyone.
What it does well: Static HTML with no dependencies ships in under 60 seconds. No framework knowledge required. The URL is stable and shareable immediately.
What it doesn't do well: Dynamic apps, server-side rendering, or anything that needs a build pipeline. If your Windsurf project uses React without being pre-built, you'd need to export the static output first.
When it makes sense: You told Windsurf to build a landing page, a one-pager, or a static site. You have the HTML. You want it live without a repo or a Netlify account.
How to publish HTML online covers the full step-by-step if you need it.
Option 3: GitHub Pages
If your project is already in a GitHub repo (or should be), Pages is a clean option. Free, reliable, and every deploy is automatically version-controlled.
Setup: Push your project to a public repo. Go to Settings then Pages. Set the source branch and directory. GitHub builds and deploys.
For static projects, it's about 10-15 minutes of work the first time.
What it does well: Free forever. Custom domain support. Build history tied to commits, so you can roll back. Works well with GitHub Actions for CI/CD.
What it doesn't do well: More setup than the other options. Requires a public repo (or a GitHub Pro account for private repos). Not great for iterating fast, since each deploy requires a commit and push.
Bottom line: Good for open-source projects, portfolios, or anything you want in version control. Not the fastest option for a quick share.
Option 4: Netlify (manual deploy)
The Windsurf built-in deploy goes through Netlify, but you can also use Netlify directly without going through Cascade. This gives you more control.
How: Export or build your project locally. Drag the output folder into Netlify's deploy interface. Or use Netlify's CLI: netlify deploy --prod.
What it does well: More visibility into the build process. You can configure environment variables, custom headers, and redirect rules in netlify.toml. Better for projects where Cascade's built-in deploy fails.
What it doesn't do well: A few more steps than the built-in option. Manual deploys don't auto-trigger on code changes (you'd need to set up continuous deployment separately).
Bottom line: Use this when the built-in Cascade deploy fails or when you need Netlify features that aren't exposed through Windsurf's panel.
For a deeper comparison of Netlify against Vercel and Cloudflare, we wrote that up here. And if you're hosting a v0 project instead, that comparison is here.
Which option should you use
- You want this live in 5 minutes and you're not sure what you built: Use the built-in Windsurf deploy.
- You have static HTML and no patience for config: HTML Pub.
- You care about version history and you're comfortable with GitHub: GitHub Pages.
- The built-in deploy failed or you need more control: Netlify manual.
Most Windsurf projects are React or Next.js, which means the built-in deploy works most of the time. The friction happens when builds fail silently or when you generated static HTML and don't want to set up a Netlify account.
Why HTML Pub fits the static output case
Windsurf can generate clean static HTML when you ask it to. If your project is a landing page, a product mockup, or a one-pager, that's not a limitation -- that's an asset. Static HTML loads fast, has no dependencies, and doesn't need a build step.
HTML Pub is built for exactly that output. You put the HTML in. It's live. No account linking, no build configuration, no netlify.toml to debug.
For projects that stay static, it's the shortest path from Windsurf to a real URL. See also how to compare static site hosting options and the Windsurf alternatives roundup if you're still evaluating your toolchain.
FAQ
How do I publish a Windsurf project?
Open the Cascade panel in Windsurf and look for the Deploy tab. It connects to Netlify directly. You'll need a free Netlify account. Once authorized, click Deploy and Cascade handles the rest. For static HTML output, you can also use HTML Pub by pasting your HTML directly, no Netlify account needed.
Can I host a Windsurf project for free?
Yes. Windsurf's built-in deploy uses Netlify's free tier, which includes HTTPS and a subdomain. GitHub Pages is also free. HTML Pub has a free plan for static HTML. All four options in this post have a free path to get something live.
What if Windsurf's built-in deploy fails?
Try Netlify's manual drag-and-drop deploy. Build your project locally first (npm run build for most frameworks), then drop the dist or out folder into Netlify's deploy interface. If the build fails locally, the error messages are usually more useful than what Cascade shows.
Does Windsurf support Vercel?
Windsurf's Cascade panel currently connects to Netlify as the built-in option. For Vercel, you'd deploy manually: connect your GitHub repo to Vercel or use the Vercel CLI. It works fine, it just doesn't have a one-click integration in Windsurf's UI the way Netlify does.
About the author
The HTML Pub Team covers web publishing, AI builders, and the gap between "works in preview" and "live on the internet." HTMLPub is the AI-native publishing platform for builders who want their projects live without infrastructure overhead.