Cline
Autonomous coding agent right in your IDE, capable of creating/editing files, executing commands, using the browser, and more with your permission every step of the way.
Cline
Cline (pronounced /klaɪn/, like "Klein") is an AI assistant that can use your CLI aNd Editor. It's a VS Code extension that brings autonomous coding capabilities directly into your development environment.
Installation
Get started with Cline by installing it in VS Code and configuring your API keys:
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| File Operations | Create, edit, and manage files with diff views |
| Terminal Commands | Execute shell commands and monitor output |
| Browser Control | Launch browsers, click elements, capture screenshots |
| MCP Integration | Create custom tools through Model Context Protocol |
| Multi-Model Support | Works with Claude, OpenAI, Google Gemini, and more |
Core Capabilities
Code Generation & Editing
- Creates and edits files directly in VS Code
- Presents changes through diff views for approval
- Monitors linter/compiler errors and fixes them automatically
- Tracks all changes in VS Code Timeline
Terminal Integration
- Executes commands with shell integration (VS Code 1.93+)
- Monitors long-running processes like dev servers
- Reacts to runtime issues and compilation errors
- Supports background process management
Browser Automation
- Uses Claude 3.5 Sonnet's Computer Use capability
- Launches browsers and interacts with web pages
- Captures screenshots and console logs
- Enables end-to-end testing and visual debugging
MCP Tool Creation
- Extends capabilities through custom MCP servers
- Creates tools tailored to specific workflows
- Integrates with external APIs and services
- Example: "add a tool that fetches Jira tickets"
Model Support
| Provider | Models | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropic | Claude 3.5/3.7 Sonnet | Best performance, Computer Use support |
| OpenAI | GPT-4o, o1, o3-mini | Strong coding capabilities |
| Gemini Pro/Flash | Fast and cost-effective | |
| Local Models | Via LM Studio/Ollama | Privacy-focused development |
| OpenRouter | Latest models | Access to newest releases |
Installation & Setup
# Install from VS Code Marketplace
ext install saoudrizwan.claude-dev
# Or search for "Cline" in Extensions panel
Configuration
- Open Cline panel in VS Code
- Choose your AI provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, etc.)
- Add API key when prompted
- Start coding with AI assistance
Workflow Features
Context Management
@url: Fetch and convert URLs to markdown@problems: Add workspace errors for fixing@file: Include specific files in context@folder: Add entire folders to context
Checkpoints & Restore
- Automatic workspace snapshots at each step
- Compare current state with any checkpoint
- Restore workspace to previous states
- Selective restoration (workspace only vs. full task)
Cost Tracking
- Monitors token usage for entire tasks
- Tracks API costs per request
- Displays spend information throughout workflow
- Helps manage budget and usage
Use Cases
Development Tasks
- New Features: "Implement user authentication with OAuth"
- Bug Fixes: "Fix the styling issues in the navigation bar"
- Testing: "Add unit tests for the payment processing module"
- Refactoring: "Convert this class-based component to hooks"
DevOps & Deployment
- CI/CD Setup: "Configure GitHub Actions for automated testing"
- Docker: "Create Dockerfile and docker-compose for this app"
- Monitoring: "Add logging and error tracking to this service"
Code Quality
- Code Review: Analyze code for best practices and issues
- Documentation: Generate comprehensive README files
- Performance: Optimize slow database queries or API calls
Best Practices
Effective Prompting
- Be Specific: "Add error handling to the login form validation"
- Provide Context: Include relevant files and requirements
- Iterate: Build features incrementally with feedback
- Test: Ask Cline to run tests after changes
Project Management
- Use git branches for major changes
- Review diffs before accepting modifications
- Leverage checkpoints for safe experimentation
- Set up proper linting and testing workflows
Limitations & Considerations
| Limitation | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Context Window | Large codebases may exceed limits | Use focused file selection and repo mapping |
| API Costs | Usage can be expensive with large projects | Monitor costs, use local models when possible |
| Approval Required | Every action needs human confirmation | Use "Proceed While Running" for long tasks |
| Model Limitations | AI may misunderstand complex requirements | Break down tasks into smaller steps |
Community & Support
- GitHub: github.com/cline/cline
- Discord: Active community for support and sharing
- Marketplace: Over 1M+ installations
- Contributors: 190+ active contributors
Comparison with Alternatives
| Feature | Cline | Cursor | GitHub Copilot |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDE Integration | VS Code extension | Full IDE | Multi-IDE support |
| File Editing | Full autonomy | AI suggestions | Code completion |
| Terminal Access | Full shell integration | Limited | None |
| Browser Control | Yes (Computer Use) | No | No |
| Model Choice | Multiple providers | Proprietary + others | OpenAI focus |
| Cost | Pay-per-use API | Subscription | Subscription |
Cline represents a new paradigm in AI-assisted development, offering unprecedented autonomy while maintaining human oversight through its approval-based workflow.
🛠️ Installation
💡 Pro Tip: After installation, restart your MCP client to ensure the server is properly loaded. You can verify the installation by checking if "cline" appears in your available tools.