Master Windsurf's SWE-1.5 at 950 tok/s, Cascade Hooks for SOC 2 compliance, and Codemaps visualization. Pricing comparison vs Cursor vs Copilot.
Key Takeaways
- SWE-1.5: 950 tok/s Speed Leader - Windsurf's proprietary SWE-1.5 model delivers 13x faster generation than Claude Sonnet 4.5, with native image understanding for visual debugging workflows. Powered by Zhipu AI and served via Cerebras infrastructure.
- Cascade Hooks for Enterprise Compliance - Custom hooks enable SOC 2 audit logging, data sanitization, and policy enforcement for every AI interaction. Configure pre-prompt and post-response hooks to automate compliance across your team.
- Cognition Acquisition: Devin + Windsurf - July 2025 acquisition by Cognition (creators of Devin AI) brings $82M ARR and enterprise IDE capabilities. Combined platform enables autonomous multi-agent workflows with IDE integration.
- Fast Context: 20x Faster Code Search - SWE-grep powered Fast Context delivers 2,800+ tokens per second, reducing context retrieval from 20+ seconds to under 1 second. Agents spend more time coding, less time searching.
Introduction
Windsurf has emerged as a leading Cursor alternative and GitHub Copilot competitor in December 2025, powered by Cognition's July 2025 acquisition and the SWE-1.5 model family. This agentic IDE combines 950 tok/s generation speed, enterprise compliance features, and workflow automation capabilities that position it uniquely in the AI coding assistant market.
Released across versions 1.12.28 through 1.12.44, these features transform how development teams interact with AI coding assistants. Rather than treating AI as a simple autocomplete tool, Windsurf positions Cascade as a customizable workflow engine that adapts to your team's policies, compliance requirements, and development patterns.
SWE-1.5 Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 950 tok/s | 13x faster than Sonnet 4.5 |
| SWE-Bench Pro | ~40% | Near Claude 4.5 level |
| Infrastructure | Cerebras | GB200 NVL72 training |
| Base Model | Zhipu AI | Fine-tuned for coding |
| Image Understanding | Native Support | Screenshots, mockups, diagrams |
| Fast Context | 2,800+ tok/s | 20x faster search |
| Parent Company | Cognition | $10.2B valuation (Sep 2025) |
| Release | October 2025 | v1.12.31+ |
Key Insight: SWE-1.5's image understanding enables visual debugging workflows—paste a screenshot of a broken UI, and Cascade identifies the issue and suggests fixes with full codebase context. Combined with Fast Context's 2,800+ tok/s search, this creates the fastest visual-to-fix pipeline available.
SWE-1.5 Proprietary Model: 950 tok/s Speed Champion
SWE-1.5, introduced in v1.12.31, represents Windsurf's commitment to purpose-built coding models. Unlike generic LLMs adapted for coding, SWE-1.5 was trained specifically for software engineering tasks using end-to-end reinforcement learning on real task environments with the Cascade agent harness.
Image Understanding
Analyze screenshots, UI mockups, error dialogs, and design specs directly in Cascade. The model extracts visual context for code generation—no manual description needed.
13x Speed Advantage
At 950 tokens per second, SWE-1.5 completes tasks in under 5 seconds, keeping developers in "flow state" without the "semi-async valley of death."
SWE Model Family Comparison
| Model | Speed | Credits | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWE-1.5 | 950 tok/s | Standard | Complex refactoring, feature development, visual debugging |
| SWE-1 | ~200 tok/s | 0 credits | Cost-conscious users, Claude 3.5-level tasks |
| SWE-1-mini | Real-time | Unlimited | Autocomplete, Windsurf Tab suggestions |
| SWE-grep | 2,800+ tok/s | Internal | Fast Context retrieval, codebase search |
Cost Tip: SWE-1 at 0 credits achieves Claude 3.5-level performance. Default to SWE-1 for routine tasks and reserve SWE-1.5 for complex multi-file operations to stretch your monthly credits.
Cognition Acquisition Context
In July 2025, Cognition (creators of Devin AI) acquired Windsurf after Google hired away CEO Varun Mohan in a $2.4B reverse-acquihire. The deal brought Cognition $82M ARR, 350+ enterprise customers, and a world-class IDE platform. By September 2025, Cognition raised $400M at a $10.2B valuation—signaling strong market confidence in the Devin + Windsurf combination.
Strategic Significance: The Cognition acquisition means Windsurf users gain access to Devin's autonomous agent capabilities within an enterprise-ready IDE. Expect deeper integration between Devin's multi-agent workflows and Cascade in 2026.
SWE-Bench Performance: Speed vs Accuracy Tradeoffs
SWE-1.5's value proposition isn't raw benchmark scores—it's the speed-to-accuracy ratio. While Cursor Composer leads on SWE-Bench Pro at 52.1%, SWE-1.5's 40% score at 950 tok/s often delivers better practical outcomes for iterative development workflows.
| Model | SWE-Bench Pro | Speed (tok/s) | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-5.2 | 80.0% | ~50 | Slower |
| Claude Opus 4.5 | ~74% | ~70-80 | Moderate |
| Claude Sonnet 4.5 | ~69% | ~70-80 | Moderate |
| Cursor Composer | ~52% | Variable | Variable |
| SWE-1.5 | ~40% | 950 (13x faster) | Under 5 seconds |
Choose SWE-1.5 When
- Iterative development with fast feedback loops
- Visual debugging with screenshot analysis
- Staying in "flow state" without async waiting
- Quick iterations over perfect first attempts
Choose GPT-5.2/Claude When
- Complex multi-step reasoning required
- First-attempt accuracy is critical
- Architecture planning and design decisions
- Long-running autonomous tasks
Cascade Hooks: Enterprise Compliance Automation
Cascade Hooks, released in v1.12.41, provide programmatic control over every AI interaction in your workflow. Unlike simple prompt templates, hooks execute custom logic at specific points in the Cascade pipeline—enabling SOC 2 compliance, data sanitization, and policy enforcement automatically.
Hook Types
Pre-Prompt Hooks
Execute before the prompt reaches the model:
- Sanitize sensitive data (API keys, credentials, PII)
- Inject project-specific context automatically
- Validate prompt structure against team policies
- Route to specific models based on task type
- Block policy-violating prompts before execution
Post-Response Hooks
Execute after receiving model output:
- Log interactions for SOC 2 compliance auditing
- Send notifications to Slack or ticketing systems
- Validate generated code against linting rules
- Trigger automated testing pipelines
- Store responses in S3 or external systems
Configuration Example
Hooks are defined in your project's .windsurf/hooks.json file:
{
"hooks": {
"pre_prompt": [
{
"name": "sanitize_secrets",
"script": "./hooks/sanitize.ts",
"enabled": true
},
{
"name": "inject_context",
"script": "./hooks/context.ts",
"config": {
"include_recent_commits": true,
"max_files": 10
}
}
],
"post_response": [
{
"name": "audit_log",
"script": "./hooks/audit.ts",
"destination": "s3://logs/cascade/"
}
]
}
}
Enterprise Compliance Use Cases
- SOC 2 Auditing: Capture every prompt and response with timestamps, user IDs, and project context for compliance reporting
- Data Loss Prevention: Automatically detect and redact credentials, API keys, or PII before they reach external models
- Approval Workflows: Require human approval for destructive operations like database migrations or production deployments
Security Note: Hooks execute locally, so sensitive data never leaves your environment unless explicitly configured. Always test hooks in development before deploying to production projects.
Codemaps: AI-Generated Architecture Visualization
Codemaps, expanded in v1.12.28, brings visual code architecture to Windsurf. The feature automatically generates Mermaid diagrams representing your codebase structure, making complex systems understandable at a glance. Unlike traditional documentation, Codemaps show execution order and component relationships—not just symbol descriptions.
Diagram Types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Flowcharts | Visualize control flow, API request handling, and business logic paths across your application |
| Sequence Diagrams | Map interactions between services, components, and external APIs over time |
| Class Diagrams | Document inheritance, composition, and type relationships in your codebase |
Cascade Integration
Codemaps integrates directly with Cascade chat. Ask questions like "Show me the data flow from user registration to database" and receive an interactive Mermaid diagram with explanations. Diagrams can be exported, embedded in documentation, or shared as web-view links. Use @-mentions in Cascade to reference Codemaps context.
Onboarding Accelerator: Generate architecture diagrams for new team members automatically. Teams report 50% faster onboarding with Codemaps providing visual context that would otherwise require hours of codebase exploration.
Fast Context: 2,800+ tok/s Code Search
Fast Context, powered by SWE-grep models served via Cerebras infrastructure, is a specialized subagent that dramatically accelerates code search during agentic workflows. Traditional agents spend 60%+ of their first turn just retrieving context—Fast Context eliminates this bottleneck.
2,800+ Tokens/Second
Over 20x faster than traditional code search. Context retrieval drops from 20+ seconds to under 1 second, even on 100K+ line codebases.
8 Parallel Tool Calls
SWE-grep models execute up to 8 parallel tool calls per turn over 4 turns, exploring different codebase areas simultaneously.
How It Works
When Cascade needs to understand your codebase, Fast Context triggers automatically (or via Cmd+Enter). The SWE-grep model family includes a high-intelligence variant for complex retrieval and SWE-grep-mini at 2,800+ tok/s for rapid searches. Both are trained using reinforcement learning specifically for codebase navigation.
Pro Tip: Trust Fast Context instead of manually @-mentioning files. Use Cmd+Enter to explicitly trigger Fast Context for complex queries. The system automatically determines relevant files faster than manual selection.
Windsurf Pricing 2025: Free vs Pro vs Enterprise
Windsurf offers competitive pricing with a generous free tier. At $15/month for Pro, it undercuts Cursor ($20/month) by 25% while offering comparable features and enterprise-specific capabilities through Cascade Hooks.
| Feature | Free | Pro ($15/mo) | Teams ($30/user) | Enterprise ($60/user) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prompt Credits | 25/month | 500/month | 500/user | 1,000/user |
| SWE-1 (0 credits) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| SWE-1 Lite/Mini | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| SWE-1.5 | Limited | Full Access | Full Access | Full Access |
| BYOK (Own API Keys) | Yes | Yes | No (Metered) | No (Metered) |
| Admin Dashboard | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| SSO/SAML/SCIM | No | No | No | Yes |
| RBAC | No | No | No | Yes |
Note: Pricing as of December 2025. Additional credits can be purchased: $10 for 250 credits (Pro) or $40 for 1,000 pooled credits (Enterprise). Check windsurf.com/pricing for current rates.
Windsurf vs Cursor vs GitHub Copilot: 2025 Comparison
Choosing between Windsurf, Cursor, and GitHub Copilot depends on your priorities: speed and enterprise compliance (Windsurf), cutting-edge AI-native features (Cursor), or GitHub ecosystem integration (Copilot).
| Feature | Windsurf | Cursor | GitHub Copilot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Full IDE (VS Code fork) | Full IDE (VS Code fork) | VS Code Extension |
| Speed Leader | SWE-1.5 @ 950 tok/s | Supermaven Tab | Standard |
| Agent Mode | Cascade Flows | Agent Mode + Background | Copilot Workspace |
| Workflow Automation | Cascade Hooks + Workflows | Cursor Rules | GitHub Actions |
| Visual Features | Codemaps | Diff View | PR Summaries |
| Enterprise Compliance | Hooks + Audit Logging | Privacy Mode | GitHub Enterprise |
| Pro Pricing | $15/month | $20/month | $10/month |
| Backing | Cognition ($10.2B) | Anysphere ($9B) | Microsoft |
Choose Windsurf When
- Speed is critical (950 tok/s)
- Enterprise compliance required
- Multi-project management
- Visual debugging workflows
Choose Cursor When
- Cutting-edge AI features matter most
- Background agents for parallel work
- Solo developer or small team
- Fast prototyping priority
Choose Copilot When
- GitHub ecosystem integration
- Budget-conscious ($10/mo)
- Enterprise GitHub customers
- PR-centric workflows
Cost Optimization: Managing Your Prompt Credits
With 500 credits/month on Pro, smart model selection is essential. Here are proven strategies to maximize value:
1. Default to SWE-1 (0 Credits)
SWE-1 achieves Claude 3.5-level performance at zero credit cost. Use it for routine tasks, code explanations, and simple refactoring. Reserve SWE-1.5 for complex multi-file operations.
2. Use BYOK for Unlimited Access
Free and Pro users can connect their own Claude API keys. This enables unlimited GPT-5.2 or Claude Opus 4.5 access at provider rates, bypassing credit limits entirely.
3. Batch Similar Tasks
Minimize context switching by grouping similar operations. A single well-crafted prompt for "refactor these 5 components" costs less than 5 separate prompts.
4. Leverage Workflows
Create reusable Workflows for common tasks (deploy, PR review, test). Pre-defined step sequences reduce prompt iterations and credit consumption.
ROI Calculation: At $15/month (Pro) with 500 credits and SWE-1 unlimited access, developers saving just 2 hours/week at $50/hour billing rate see 26x ROI. The investment pays for itself within the first week of each month.
Real Agency Applications
Here's how agencies leverage Windsurf's features for concrete client deliverables with measurable ROI:
Visual Bug Reporting Workflow
Before: Clients send screenshot feedback via email, designers translate to specs, developers search codebase manually—4-6 hours per bug cycle.
After: Client pastes screenshot in shared Cascade session, SWE-1.5 identifies the component, Fast Context locates code, fix generated in minutes.
ROI: 85% reduction in bug triage time, 3x more client issues resolved per sprint.
Compliance-Ready Development
Before: Manual audit logging, post-hoc compliance checks, security reviews blocking releases—adds 2-3 weeks to enterprise projects.
After: Cascade Hooks automatically log all AI interactions, sanitize sensitive data, and enforce coding policies in real-time.
ROI: SOC 2 compliance built-in, 60% faster security reviews, enterprise clients close faster.
Automated Documentation
Before: Architecture documentation created manually, becomes outdated within weeks, new developers lost in undocumented codebases.
After: Codemaps generates living documentation with Mermaid diagrams, shareable as web-view links, referenced in PR reviews.
ROI: 50% faster developer onboarding, documentation always current, improved client handoffs.
Common Mistakes: What NOT to Do with Windsurf
Mistake #1: Using SWE-1.5 for Everything
The Error: Defaulting to SWE-1.5 for all tasks, depleting 500 monthly credits in 2-3 days.
The Impact: Running out of credits mid-month, forced to fall back to limited "Legacy Chat" mode.
The Fix: Default to SWE-1 (0 credits) for routine tasks. Reserve SWE-1.5 for complex multi-file operations and visual debugging.
Mistake #2: Skipping Cascade Hooks for Security
The Error: Starting enterprise projects without configuring data sanitization hooks.
The Impact: API keys, credentials, or PII accidentally included in prompts sent to external models.
The Fix: Implement pre-prompt sanitization hook on day one. Configure .windsurf/hooks.json with credential detection patterns before any production work.
Mistake #3: Manual File Selection vs Fast Context
The Error: Manually @-mentioning files instead of trusting Fast Context's automatic retrieval.
The Impact: Slower queries, incomplete context, missing relevant files that Fast Context would have found.
The Fix: Use Cmd+Enter to trigger Fast Context explicitly. Trust the 2,800+ tok/s SWE-grep to find relevant files faster than manual selection.
Mistake #4: Not Configuring Project Rules
The Error: Starting projects without defining Windsurf Rules for coding style and framework preferences.
The Impact: Inconsistent AI outputs, style drift, repeated corrections eating into credits.
The Fix: Create project-specific Rules in the first sprint. Define framework conventions, naming patterns, and API preferences upfront.
Mistake #5: Ignoring Codemaps for Documentation
The Error: Generating Codemaps once and never integrating them into ongoing workflows.
The Impact: Documentation becomes stale, new developers still struggle with codebase understanding.
The Fix: Integrate Codemaps queries into PR review workflows. Generate updated architecture diagrams for significant changes. Share web-view links in documentation.
When NOT to Use Windsurf: Honest Limitations
Don't Use Windsurf For
- Highest SWE-bench accuracy tasks — Cursor Composer (52%) beats SWE-1.5 (40%) when first-attempt precision is critical
- Deep GitHub integration — If your workflow centers on GitHub PRs and Actions, Copilot's native integration is unmatched
- Background agent parallelism — Cursor's Background Agent runs tasks while you work; Windsurf lacks this feature
- Budget under $15/month — GitHub Copilot at $10/month offers better value for cost-conscious users
- Terminal-first workflows — Claude Code offers deeper CLI integration for power users
When Human Expertise Wins
- Architecture decisions — AI suggests patterns, but architects must understand business context
- Security-critical code review — Always have humans review authentication, authorization, and data handling
- Novel algorithm design — AI excels at implementing known patterns, not inventing new ones
- Client communication — Use Codemaps for visuals, but explain architecture decisions in human terms
- Production deployment approval — AI can prepare deployments; humans must approve them
Getting Started
All features are available in Windsurf v1.12.31 and later. Here's how to enable and configure each capability:
1. Download and Install
Get the latest version from windsurf.com/editor/releases. Ensure you're running v1.12.31+ by checking Help → About.
2. Configure Your Plan
Start with the free tier (25 credits/month + unlimited SWE-1). Upgrade to Pro ($15/month) when you need more credits or SWE-1.5 access. Configure BYOK for unlimited Claude/GPT access at provider rates.
3. Set Up Cascade Hooks (Enterprise)
Create .windsurf/hooks.json in your project root. Start with audit logging, then add sanitization and policy hooks as needed.
4. Explore Codemaps
Ask Cascade to "generate an architecture diagram" or "show me the data flow for [feature]". Use @-mentions to reference Codemaps context in conversations.
5. Create Workflows
Define reusable workflows in .windsurf/workflows/ as markdown files. Invoke them via /workflow-name slash commands for common tasks like deployments and PR reviews.
Conclusion
Windsurf has evolved from a Codeium rebrand to a serious enterprise contender backed by Cognition's $10.2B valuation. The SWE-1.5 model at 950 tok/s, Cascade Hooks for compliance automation, Codemaps for visual documentation, and Fast Context's 2,800+ tok/s search create a uniquely positioned agentic IDE.
For agencies managing multiple client projects with varying compliance needs, Windsurf provides the customization layer that generic AI assistants lack. At $15/month with the Cognition backing ensuring long-term development, it's a compelling Cursor alternative for teams prioritizing speed, compliance, and workflow automation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Windsurf SWE-1.5 and what makes it different?
SWE-1.5 is Windsurf's proprietary coding model that delivers 950 tokens per second—13x faster than Claude Sonnet 4.5. Unlike generic LLMs, SWE-1.5 is specifically optimized for software engineering tasks with native image understanding capabilities. The model is powered by Zhipu AI and served via Cerebras inference infrastructure, achieving near-Claude 4.5-level performance at unprecedented speed. It can analyze screenshots, UI mockups, and visual content directly within agentic workflows.
How much does Windsurf cost compared to Cursor?
Windsurf Pro costs $15/month vs Cursor Pro at $20/month (25% savings). Windsurf Teams is $30/user/month vs Cursor Business at $40/user/month. Windsurf also offers a more generous free tier with 25 credits/month and unlimited SWE-1 Lite access, while Cursor's free tier is more limited. For enterprise, Windsurf Enterprise at $60/user/month includes SSO, RBAC, and hybrid deployment options.
Is Windsurf better than Cursor for enterprise teams?
Windsurf offers superior enterprise compliance features through Cascade Hooks (audit logging, data sanitization, policy enforcement) and the Cognition backing for long-term stability. Cursor has stronger individual developer features and AI-native editing capabilities. Choose Windsurf if compliance, workflow automation, and multi-project management are priorities. Choose Cursor if cutting-edge AI coding features and speed are more important than enterprise controls.
How do Cascade Hooks work and what can I use them for?
Cascade Hooks are customizable functions that execute before, during, or after Cascade processes a prompt. Configure hooks in .windsurf/hooks.json for: (1) SOC 2 audit logging—capture every prompt and response, (2) Data sanitization—automatically redact API keys, credentials, or PII, (3) Policy enforcement—block certain operations or require approvals, (4) Model routing—direct tasks to specific models based on type. Hooks execute locally, so sensitive data never leaves your environment.
What are Codemaps and how do they help with development?
Codemaps is Windsurf's visual code architecture feature that automatically generates Mermaid diagrams representing your codebase structure. Ask Cascade to 'show me the data flow for authentication' and receive an interactive diagram showing file relationships, execution paths, and component interactions. Codemaps helps with: onboarding new developers (50% faster), documenting complex systems, planning refactoring, and communicating architecture in PR reviews. Diagrams can be exported as Mermaid markdown or shared as web-view links.
How fast is Fast Context compared to regular code search?
Fast Context, powered by SWE-grep models served via Cerebras, delivers 2,800+ tokens per second—approximately 20x faster than traditional code search. Traditional agents spend 60%+ of their first turn just retrieving context, often taking 20+ seconds before making any edits. Fast Context reduces this to under 1 second. The result: Cascade can analyze 100,000+ line codebases instantly, letting agents focus on actual code generation instead of searching.
What's the difference between SWE-1.5, SWE-1, and SWE-1-mini?
SWE-1.5 is the flagship model at 950 tok/s with image understanding and full agentic capabilities—use for complex refactoring and feature development. SWE-1 achieves Claude 3.5-level performance at 0 credits—ideal for cost-conscious users who want strong capabilities without depleting credits. SWE-1-mini powers Windsurf Tab autocomplete with real-time latency—unlimited on all tiers for passive code suggestions.
What happened with the Cognition acquisition?
In July 2025, Cognition (creators of Devin AI) acquired Windsurf after Google hired away Windsurf's CEO and co-founders in a $2.4B reverse-acquihire. The deal brought Cognition $82M ARR, 350+ enterprise customers, and hundreds of thousands of daily active users. By September 2025, Cognition raised $400M at a $10.2B valuation. The Devin + Windsurf combination enables autonomous AI workflows within an enterprise-ready IDE platform.
Can I use my own API keys with Windsurf (BYOK)?
Yes, Free and Pro users can configure their own API keys for Claude models (Sonnet 4.5, Opus 4.5, thinking variants) without consuming Windsurf credits. This enables unlimited high-end model access at provider rates. Configure BYOK in subscription settings. Note: Teams and Enterprise tiers must use Windsurf-metered credits for usage tracking and compliance features.
How do I optimize my Windsurf prompt credits?
Four key strategies: (1) Default to SWE-1 (0 credits) for simple tasks—it achieves Claude 3.5-level performance free, (2) Use BYOK for unlimited Claude/GPT access at provider rates, (3) Batch similar tasks to minimize context switching and redundant prompts, (4) Leverage Workflows to reduce prompt iterations with pre-defined step sequences. Pro users get 500 credits/month, which stretches far with smart model selection.
What models are available in Windsurf December 2025?
Windsurf offers: SWE-1.5 (flagship), SWE-1 (0 credits), SWE-1-mini (autocomplete), GPT-5.2 (December 2025, SOTA coding), Claude Opus 4.5 (most capable, reduced pricing), Claude Sonnet 4.5 (1M context), Gemini 3 Pro (preview), and various GPT-5.1 variants. Model selection affects credit consumption differently—SWE models are most cost-effective for Windsurf users.
How does Windsurf compare to Claude Code?
Windsurf is an IDE (VS Code fork) with visual features (Codemaps), workflow automation (Cascade Hooks), and enterprise controls. Claude Code is Anthropic's terminal-based coding CLI optimized for power users. Windsurf offers better visual feedback, team collaboration, and compliance features. Claude Code offers deeper terminal integration, direct Anthropic model access, and power-user workflows. Choose Windsurf for teams and enterprise; Claude Code for individual power users.
What are Windsurf Workflows and how do they differ from Hooks?
Workflows are reusable multi-step instruction sequences saved as markdown files in .windsurf/workflows/ and invoked via slash commands (/workflow-name). They guide Cascade through repetitive processes like deployments, PR reviews, or test runs. Hooks are programmatic interceptors that execute automatically on every prompt. Use Workflows for complex, repeatable task sequences; use Hooks for automatic policy enforcement and logging.
What are Windsurf Memories and Rules?
Windsurf uses a dual context system: Rules are user-defined instructions for Cascade behavior (coding style, framework preferences, API conventions) stored in configuration. Memories are automatically generated context that Cascade retains across conversations, improving understanding over time. Both can be managed in the Customizations panel. Use Rules for explicit preferences; let Memories capture implicit patterns from your interactions.
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