Cline
By Coda One Team · Last verified: March 2026
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Autonomous coding agent in VS Code with human-in-the-loop approval flow
What is Cline?
Cline (formerly Claude Dev) is an open-source autonomous coding agent that runs as a VS Code extension, combining the power of agentic AI with a human-in-the-loop approval workflow. It can create and edit files, run terminal commands, use a browser for testing, and orchestrate complex multi-step development tasks while showing each action for developer approval before execution.
Cline's design philosophy centers on transparency and control. Every file change, command execution, and browser action is presented to the developer for review, creating a trust-building workflow where you can approve, modify, or reject each step. This makes it suitable for production codebases where autonomous changes need oversight.
The agent supports multiple LLM providers including Anthropic Claude, OpenAI, Google Gemini, AWS Bedrock, and local models via Ollama and LM Studio. It can read and write files across your project, execute shell commands, launch and interact with web browsers for testing, and chain these capabilities for complex workflows like building features, fixing bugs, or setting up entire projects.
Cline has garnered rapid adoption with strong GitHub star growth and an active community. Its bring-your-own-key model means the extension is free, with users only paying for their chosen API provider. Custom instructions and MCP server support enable extending Cline's capabilities for specialized workflows.
Key Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Transparent human-in-the-loop design builds trust
- ✓ Free open-source tool with broad model support
- ✓ VS Code integration makes it accessible to most developers
- ✓ Browser integration enables end-to-end testing workflows
Cons
- ✗ Approval workflow can slow down simple tasks
- ✗ API costs can accumulate quickly on complex tasks
- ✗ Quality varies significantly by chosen LLM provider
Ready to try Cline?
See if it fits your workflow — completely free.
Video Tutorials
Getting Started with Cline - Best VS Code AI Plugin
ZazenCodes
Pricing
Free and open-source VS Code extension, users pay only for their LLM API usage
Free (Open Source)
$0
- ✓Full agent capabilities
- ✓All LLM providers supported
- ✓Browser integration
- ✓Terminal access
- ✓MCP server support
- ✓BYOK model
Pay with crypto using a virtual Visa card
Humanize AI content from Cline
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Try FreeWho is Cline for?
Autonomous feature development with oversight in VS Code
Complex debugging with terminal and browser interaction
Project scaffolding and setup from natural language
Multi-file refactoring with step-by-step review
Full-stack development with browser-based testing
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cline free?
Cline is open source and free to use. Free and open-source VS Code extension, users pay only for their LLM API usage
What are Cline's key features?
Cline's standout features include Human-in-the-loop approval for every action, Multi-model support (Claude, GPT, Gemini, local models), File creation, editing, and deletion across projects, Terminal command execution with output parsing. It offers 8 features in total designed for autonomous feature development with oversight in vs code.
Can I pay for Cline with cryptocurrency?
Cline does not currently accept cryptocurrency directly. However, you can pay with crypto using a virtual Visa card funded by USDT, USDC, or other stablecoins.
What are the best alternatives to Cline?
Popular alternatives to Cline include Aider, Amazon Q Developer, Bolt.new. Each offers different strengths in pricing, features, and specialization.
Do I need to sign up to use Cline?
Cline can be used without creating an account for basic features. See the full free tools list for more no-signup options.
Does Cline work on mobile?
Cline works in any modern browser on desktop, tablet, and mobile — no install required. For offline or on-device workflows, check our tool catalog for alternatives.
Is my data safe with Cline?
Review Cline's privacy policy at https://cline.bot for specifics on data retention. For browser-local processing (no server upload), see Coda One's PDF and image tools.
Who is Cline best for?
Cline is most useful for Autonomous feature development with oversight in VS Code, Complex debugging with terminal and browser interaction, Project scaffolding and setup from natural language. For related workflows, explore Coda One's AI tool catalog.
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