Cline
Cline · Open-Source AI Coding Agent for IDE & Terminal
Cline is a free, open-source autonomous coding agent that runs inside VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, a native desktop app, and the terminal. It edits code across your project, runs commands, and uses tools through a Plan/Act workflow with your own LLM API key. Best for developers who want an agentic, model-agnostic assistant they fully control.
Best for
Developers and teams who want an open-source, model-agnostic AI coding agent they fully control, in their existing IDE or terminal
Not ideal for
Non-technical users, or anyone who wants a zero-setup cloud assistant with a bundled model and no API-key management
Who it's for
Developers who want an open-source agentic coding assistant in their IDE or terminal, using their own model keys
Capabilities
- Plan mode and Act mode — explore an approach, then execute it with optional per-step approval or full autonomy
- Edits code across multiple files while monitoring for errors
- Runs terminal commands with real-time output, plus browser automation
- Model-agnostic, bring-your-own-key: Claude, GPT, Gemini, OpenRouter, Bedrock, Vertex, Cerebras/Groq, Ollama, LM Studio, or any OpenAI-compatible API
- MCP server support and project-specific rules via .clinerules files
- Runs in VS Code (and forks), JetBrains IDEs, a native Cline Desktop app, a CLI for CI/CD, and an SDK for custom integrations
- Cline Kanban for parallel agents in git worktrees, plus ACP support for Zed, Neovim, and Emacs
- Sign in with a Claude Code or ChatGPT/Codex subscription instead of an API key
Limitations
- Bring-your-own-model — you supply and pay for the LLM API; there is no bundled model
- Agent edits and command execution need review; autonomous runs can make unintended changes
- Capability and cost depend heavily on the model you connect
- Requires comfort with developer tooling (an IDE or terminal and API keys) — not for non-technical users
Use cases
- Implementing a feature or refactor across multiple files from a single instruction
- Running and fixing failing tests or build errors inside the editor
- Automating repository tasks headlessly in CI/CD via the CLI
- Extending the agent with MCP servers for internal tools, docs, or APIs
- Using local models via Ollama or LM Studio for private, no-API-cost coding
Cline pricing
Open Source (BYOK)
Free
- Free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license
- Bring your own LLM API key — pay only usage-based inference, no subscription
- Full features in VS Code (and forks), the CLI, and Desktop
- JetBrains plugin on JetBrains Marketplace (listed as an Enterprise feature on the pricing page)
Cline credits
Pay-as-you-go (at provider cost)
- Optional inference credits billed through Cline (no separate provider key required)
- Model inference sold at cost
ClinePass
$9.99/month
Billed monthly
- 2–5x usage on curated open coding models vs standard API rates
- Optional; use alongside any provider
Enterprise
Custom
- Team collaboration and centralized billing
- RBAC, SSO/OIDC, and authentication logs
- VPC, on-prem, or air-gapped deployment and SLA
- JetBrains extension
Free tier limits: The open-source extension is free for individuals; with bring-your-own-key you pay only your model provider's usage (or $0 with local models).
Note: Cline is free and open source (Apache 2.0), with no subscriptions or seat fees required. Cline credits are sold at provider cost, ClinePass is an optional $9.99/month subscription for open coding models, and Enterprise pricing is custom via sales.
Integrations & fit
Alternatives to consider
Anomaly
Developers who want a terminal-based AI coding agent with no vendor lock-in, the ability to bring any LLM provider, and undo control over agent file changes
FreeAnysphere
VS Code developers who want multi-file AI editing, autonomous cloud agents, and model flexibility — not a plugin layered on top of an existing editor
FreemiumGitHub (Microsoft)
Developers on GitHub who want AI completion, chat, and agents embedded in their existing IDE and GitHub workflow
Freemium
JetBrains
Developers and teams who work in IntelliJ-based IDEs or Android Studio and want a coding agent that uses the IDE's debugger, test runners, and code index, with the freedom to switch between JetBrains credits, their own API keys, and local models
FreemiumAbout Cline
Cline (Apache 2.0) installs as an extension in VS Code and its forks (Cursor, Windsurf, VSCodium, Antigravity) or JetBrains, runs as a native Cline Desktop app for macOS and Windows with no editor required, and also runs as a CLI for headless and CI use. Cline Kanban runs parallel agents in git worktrees, and ACP support brings it to Zed, Neovim, and Emacs. It splits work into a Plan mode for deciding an approach and an Act mode for executing it, and you can require approval on each step or let it run autonomously. Cline edits files across the project while watching for errors, executes terminal commands with live output, automates a browser, and extends itself through MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers and project-specific .clinerules. Because it is bring-your-own-model, you connect Claude, GPT, Gemini, OpenRouter, AWS Bedrock, Vertex, 30+ other providers, local models via Ollama or LM Studio, or any OpenAI-compatible endpoint — or sign in with a Claude Code or ChatGPT/Codex subscription — so capability and cost depend on the model you choose. The open-source extension is free for individuals (bring your own key, pay only usage-based inference), with optional Cline credits sold at provider cost, an optional $9.99/month ClinePass subscription that gives 2–5x the usage on curated open coding models, and a custom-priced Enterprise tier that adds team collaboration, centralized billing, SSO/OIDC, RBAC, authentication logs, and VPC, on-prem, or air-gapped deployment. It suits developers and teams who want an open, controllable agent rather than a closed cloud assistant.
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