Growth cones at the tip of developing axons contain filopodia and lamellipodia that use cell-associated and diffusible molecular signals to guide axon pathfinding and growth. Cell-associated molecules like integrins and cadherins mediate interactions between growth cones and surrounding cells, while diffusible factors like netrins, semaphorins and neurotrophins act as attractants or repellents to guide axons or promote their survival. The balance of these molecular cues is crucial for proper wiring of neural circuits during early brain development.