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Cline
AI coding assistant that edits files and runs commands
VS Code extension that uses Claude AI to handle complex development tasks through file editing, terminal commands, browser automation, and custom tool creation with human approval at every step.
Overview
Autonomous AI Development in VS Code
Cline is a VS Code extension that transforms Claude Sonnet into an agentic coding assistant capable of handling complex software development workflows. Unlike traditional code completion tools, Cline can create and edit files, execute terminal commands, launch browsers for testing, and even extend its own capabilities through the Model Context Protocol.
Human-in-the-Loop Safety
Every file change and terminal command requires your explicit approval through an intuitive GUI, providing a safe way to leverage autonomous AI without sacrificing control. Cline intelligently analyzes your project structure, reads relevant files, and manages context to work effectively even in large codebases.
Flexible Model Support
The extension supports multiple API providers including OpenRouter, Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, AWS Bedrock, Azure, and local models through LM Studio or Ollama. Real-time token tracking and cost monitoring keep you informed of API usage throughout each task. Cline can launch headless browsers to test web applications, monitor linter errors to proactively fix issues, and create custom MCP tools tailored to your specific workflow—from fetching Jira tickets to managing cloud infrastructure.
Highlights
Autonomous file editing with diff view and linter monitoring for proactive error fixing
Terminal command execution with output monitoring and background process support
Browser automation for visual debugging, end-to-end testing, and runtime error detection
Custom tool creation via Model Context Protocol to extend capabilities on demand
Pros
- Human approval required for every file change and command ensures safety and control
- Supports multiple AI providers and local models with transparent cost tracking
- Intelligent context management handles large codebases without overwhelming token limits
- Workspace snapshots enable easy comparison and rollback at each task step
Considerations
- Requires VS Code v1.93+ for full shell integration functionality
- Browser automation depends on Claude Sonnet's Computer Use capability
- Approval workflow may slow down simple tasks compared to direct coding
- API costs can accumulate quickly for complex, multi-step tasks
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Fit guide
Great for
- Developers working on complex refactoring or multi-file changes across large projects
- Teams needing AI assistance with full audit trails and manual approval gates
- Web developers requiring automated browser testing and visual bug detection
- Engineers who want to create custom AI tools for their specific workflows
Not ideal when
- Users seeking fully autonomous coding without human oversight or approval steps
- Developers working in editors other than VS Code
- Projects requiring instant code suggestions without approval latency
- Teams with strict policies against AI tools accessing terminal or file systems
How teams use it
Convert Design Mockups to Working Code
Upload screenshots of UI designs and Cline generates functional components, styles, and layouts matching the mockup specifications
Debug Runtime Errors with Browser Automation
Cline launches your dev server, navigates the application in a headless browser, captures console logs, and fixes visual or runtime bugs autonomously
Integrate Custom Workflow Tools
Ask Cline to create an MCP tool that fetches Jira tickets or manages AWS resources, then use it immediately in future development tasks
Refactor Legacy Codebases
Cline analyzes project structure, identifies dependencies through AST parsing, and systematically refactors code while monitoring for breaking changes
Tech snapshot
TypeScript85%
Go9%
JavaScript4%
Python1%
Shell1%
CSS1%
Frequently asked questions
Which AI models does Cline support?
Cline works with OpenRouter, Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, AWS Bedrock, Azure, GCP Vertex, Cerebras, Groq, and any OpenAI-compatible API. You can also use local models through LM Studio or Ollama.
Do I need to approve every action Cline takes?
Yes. Cline presents every file change as a diff view and requests permission before executing terminal commands, giving you full control over what happens in your workspace.
How does Cline handle large projects without exceeding context limits?
Cline analyzes file structure and source code ASTs, runs targeted regex searches, and selectively reads relevant files to gather only the information needed for each task.
Can Cline work with running development servers?
Yes. Use the 'Proceed While Running' button to let Cline continue working while long-running processes like dev servers execute in the background. He monitors terminal output and reacts to issues as they arise.
What is the Model Context Protocol integration?
MCP lets Cline create and install custom tools on demand. Ask him to 'add a tool' for specific tasks like fetching Jira tickets or managing cloud resources, and he'll build and integrate it into his toolkit.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 57,050
- Watchers
- 57,050
- Forks
- 5,630
LicenseApache-2.0
Repo age1 year old
Last commit3 hours ago
Primary languageTypeScript
Last synced 3 hours ago