Editor and CLI workflows
Use Cline as a VS Code extension or from the CLI. The site presents both editor-based and terminal-based workflows so you can work where your code already lives.
Cline
Cline is an open-source AI coding agent available as a VS Code extension, CLI, and enterprise offering. It helps developers create, edit, and verify code with permission-based actions and usage-based AI inference pricing.
Open-source AI coding agent
Cline is an open-source AI coding agent for developers who want an assistant that can work inside the editor, in the terminal, and through connected workflows. The product combines autonomous coding actions with permission-based control, so it can create and edit files, run commands, inspect browser output, and extend itself through MCP tools.
The website positions Cline as a cross-environment development agent rather than a single chat interface. It is available as a VS Code extension, a CLI, and an enterprise offering, with usage-based pricing for individual developers and contact-sales paths for teams that need collaboration, security, and centralized administration.
Core features
Plan and act on tasks
Cline supports a Plan/Act style workflow in the product positioning and is designed to carry tasks from analysis through execution with human approval at key steps.
File, terminal, and browser actions
The extension can create and edit files, run terminal commands, and use the browser with permission, which makes it suitable for coding, debugging, and verification loops.
MCP-based extensibility
Cline supports MCP, letting users add custom tools and extend the agent for workflow-specific tasks. The CLI page also highlights connectors and shared tooling concepts.
Terminal orchestration features
The CLI includes board mode, per-task git worktrees, dependency chains, checkpoints, inline review, schedules, plugins, and headless CI/CD usage.
Provider flexibility
Cline supports multiple model providers, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, AWS Bedrock, OpenRouter, GCP Vertex, Cerebras, Groq, and OpenAI-compatible endpoints.
Common use cases
Interactive coding in the editor
Use Cline in VS Code when you want an agent to create files, edit code, run commands, and help with browser-based debugging while you approve each step.
Orchestrating multi-step terminal work
Use the CLI board mode when you need to break a larger backlog into parallel tasks, manage worktrees, review diffs, and coordinate dependent work.
Extending the agent to match team workflows
Use MCP and custom tools when your workflow needs Cline to interact with external systems such as tickets, chat tools, or infrastructure tasks.
Team and enterprise deployment
Use the enterprise offering when a team needs centralized billing, SSO, role-based access control, audit logs, and dedicated support.
Automated runs in CI/CD
Use headless CI/CD mode for automated checks or scripted agent runs in pipelines where machine-readable output and exit codes matter.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free open-source version for individual developers with usage-based inference instead of subscription pricing.
- Available across multiple workflows, including VS Code, CLI, board mode, and headless CI/CD.
- Supports a wide range of model providers and OpenAI-compatible endpoints, which reduces provider lock-in.
- Can create custom tools through MCP and connect to existing workflows such as tickets, chat apps, and task boards.
- Offers collaboration-oriented enterprise features such as SSO, centralized billing, role-based access control, audit logs, and dedicated support.
Cons
- The most advanced team and security features are reserved for Enterprise rather than the free open-source offering.
- Many workflows rely on user-granted permissions for file changes, terminal commands, and browser actions, so it is not fully unattended by design.
- The public site gives broad capability descriptions, but some setup and workflow details are still better covered in the product docs than on the marketing pages.
FAQ
Is Cline free to use?
Cline is a free open-source extension for individual developers. You only pay for AI inference on a usage basis, or you can bring your own API keys from supported providers.
What do I pay for?
The open-source version is usage-based for AI inference, with no subscription or seat fees. The pricing page also offers Enterprise for organizations that need team collaboration and security features.
Can I use my own API keys?
Yes. The pricing page says you can bring your own API keys from providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and others.
When would a team need Enterprise?
Cline's enterprise offering is positioned for organizations that need team collaboration and enterprise-grade security, including SSO, role-based access control, centralized billing, audit logs, and dedicated support.
Is Cline tied to one model provider?
No. The source says Cline supports multiple providers, open-source usage, and the option to self-host or switch providers.
Quick Facts
- Category
- AI coding agent
- Primary surfaces
- VS Code extension, CLI, enterprise
- Pricing model
- Free for individual developers; usage-based AI inference; contact sales for enterprise
- Supported providers
- Multiple providers including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, AWS Bedrock, OpenRouter, GCP Vertex, Cerebras, and Groq
- Extensibility
- Model Context Protocol (MCP), plugins, connectors, schedules, and hooks
- Source domain
- cline.bot
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