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Connect Devin Desktop to Willow

Use Devin Desktop (formerly Windsurf) with your organization's Willow tools through the Cascade MCP Marketplace.

Prerequisites​

  • Windsurf installed with Devin Desktop enabled
  • Your organization's Willow URL (from the Connect MCP modal)

Step 1: Get Your Connection URL​

In Willow, click Connect MCP at the bottom of the left sidebar.

Click Devin Desktop in the client grid. Copy the URL shown. You'll need it in the next step.

Step 2: Open the Cascade MCP Marketplace​

Press Ctrl+Shift+P to open the Command Palette. Type Cascade MCP Registry and select Devin: Cascade MCP Registry.

Command palette open with 'Devin: Cascade MCP Registry' highlighted at the top

The Cascade MCP Marketplace opens. Click Add custom MCP in the top right.

Cascade MCP Marketplace showing no installed servers and an 'Add custom MCP' button in the top right

Step 3: Add Willow to mcp_config.json​

Clicking Add custom MCP opens mcp_config.json. Add a Willow entry inside mcpServers:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "Willow": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://yourorg.mcp-s.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Replace the URL with the one you copied from Willow. If mcp_config.json already has other entries, add the Willow block alongside them. Do not replace the existing content.

mcp_config.json open in Windsurf showing the Willow entry with type http and the connection URL

Save the file. Devin Desktop will immediately prompt you to authenticate.

Step 4: Authenticate​

Devin Desktop shows a dialog asking to open the Willow authorization URL in your browser. Click Open.

Devin Desktop dialog asking 'Do you want Devin to open the external website?' with an Open button highlighted

Your browser opens the Willow Authorize Access page. Click Allow.

Willow Authorize Access page saying Windsurf is requesting access, with an Allow button

The browser shows Authorization successful! and attempts to redirect back to Windsurf. If a dialog appears asking to open xdg-open or Devin Desktop, click to confirm and complete the handoff.

Browser showing 'Authorization successful! Redirecting to your IDE...' with an Open xdg-open dialog

Step 5: Verify It Works​

Back in the Cascade MCP Marketplace, Willow should appear under Installed showing Enabled and the tool count.

Cascade MCP Marketplace showing Willow under Installed with status Enabled and 16/16 tools

To confirm the tools are available, open a Devin Desktop chat in Code mode and ask:

"List what tools you have access to with Willow MCP"

You should see the tools from your Willow MCP servers.

Devin Desktop chat in Code mode listing available Willow MCP tools grouped by server

The tools you see depend on which MCP servers your organization admin has installed and enabled. Your list may look different from the one shown here.

Tips​

Mention Willow explicitly in chat

When starting a conversation that should use Willow tools, type @ in the chat input, navigate to MCPs, and select Willow. This ensures Devin Desktop routes the request to Willow.

Use Code mode, not Ask mode

Devin Desktop can only see and use MCP tools in Code mode. Tools are not available in Ask mode.

Troubleshooting​

Auth ends with a 404 on localhost

After clicking Allow, if your browser shows a 404 error on localhost, close the browser tab, return to Devin Desktop, and trigger authentication again (re-save mcp_config.json or re-open the Cascade MCP Marketplace). Retry a few times. It typically succeeds within two or three attempts.

Willow doesn't appear in the Installed section

  • Confirm mcp_config.json was saved correctly with valid JSON
  • Check that the URL matches what the Willow modal shows
  • Re-open the Cascade MCP Marketplace via the Command Palette

Devin Desktop doesn't see any tools

  • Confirm you're in Code mode, not Ask mode
  • Check that Willow shows Enabled in the Cascade MCP Marketplace
  • Re-authenticate if the status shows a connection error
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