Cline

Overview

Cline is an open-source AI coding agent that runs as a VS Code extension, JetBrains plugin, CLI, desktop app, and SDK. It helps developers understand codebases, refactor large projects, and automate workflows with human-in-the-loop approval. It supports Plan and Act modes, runs bash commands, and works with any model provider including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and local models via Ollama.

Key Features

• Plan and Act modes: toggle between planning and execution with approval on every step.
• Edits across your project: coordinated multi-file changes with linter-aware fixes, diffs, checkpoints, and one-click undo.
• Runs bash commands: executes in your terminal and reacts to output in real time.
• Rules and Skills: define .clinerules to teach the agent your coding standards and conventions.
• Works with every model: Claude, GPT, Gemini, local Ollama, or any OpenAI-compatible endpoint.
• Extend with MCP and plugins: register custom tools and lifecycle hooks via the SDK.

Use Cases

• Understand your codebase: ask questions about files, dependencies, and behavior.
• Refactor large codebases: make coordinated changes while keeping imports, types, and behavior consistent.
• Automate with Cline CLI: use in scripts, cron jobs, and CI pipelines for recurring checks and updates.
• Multi-agent teams: coordinate specialist agents for complex tasks.

Getting Started

• Install the CLI with `npm i -g cline`, the SDK with `npm install @cline/sdk`, or download the desktop app for macOS and Windows. For VS Code, install from the Marketplace; for JetBrains, install from the JetBrains Marketplace.

Deployment & Requirements

• Cline runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux. The desktop app is available for macOS and Windows. The CLI and SDK require Node.js. It can connect to various model providers, including cloud and local endpoints.

Before You Adopt

• License: Apache-2.0. Review its terms before using, modifying, or distributing the project.