Cline
FreeConnects to your CLI and editor, interprets natural commands.
FreeFree tier
Inputs: text, codeOutputs: text, code
About Cline
Cline is an open source AI coding agent that functions as a VS Code extension, CLI tool, and embeddable SDK. It enables coordinated multi-file edits with linter-aware fixes, diffs, checkpoints, and one-click undo. Runs bash commands live, supports a plan-and-act workflow, customizable rules via .clinerules, and integrates with multiple AI models (Claude, GPT, Gemini, local Ollama/LM Studio, etc.). Extensible via MCP servers, plugins, and a SDK for building custom agents. Features multi-agent orchestration, chat integrations (Slack, Discord, Telegram, Linear, CI), and headless operation in CI/CD pipelines. Trusted by 8M+ developers and available under Apache 2.0 license.
Key Features
Coordinated multi-file changes with linter-aware fixes, diffs, checkpoints, and one-click undo
Runs bash commands (dev servers, tests, deploys) and reacts to output live
Plan mode and Act mode for strategy alignment and execution control
Custom rules and skills via .clinerules shipped with repos
Multi-model support: Claude, GPT, Gemini, local Ollama/LM Studio, any OpenAI-compatible endpoint
Extend with MCP servers, plugins, and lifecycle hooks via SDK
Multi-agent teams and scheduled automations on cron
Chat integrations with Slack, Discord, Telegram, Linear, and CI pipelines
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fully open source (Apache 2.0) with no vendor lock-in
- Free for individual developers; pay only for AI inference usage
- Supports a wide range of AI models including local and self-hosted options
- Plan-and-act workflow gives fine-grained control over agent actions
- Extensible via MCP, plugins, and SDK for custom integrations
- Linter-aware edits reduce errors and maintain code quality
- Trusted by 8M+ developers with strong community support
Cons
- Advanced enterprise features (SSO, team management, centralized billing) require paid Enterprise plan
- Requires users to provide their own API keys for most AI providers, adding separate billing
- Primarily designed as a VS Code extension; CLI and SDK are available but less mature
- Free version lacks some team collaboration capabilities
Best For
Understand codebase structure, dependencies, and behaviorRefactor large codebases with coordinated changes across filesAutomate recurring checks, updates, and custom workflows in CI/CDRun AI-powered development tasks headlessly in GitHub Actions, GitLab, or any pipelineDelegate tasks to specialist agents for complex multi-step processes
FAQ
Is Cline free?
Yes, the Cline open source extension is completely free for individual developers. You only pay for AI inference on a usage basis - no subscriptions, no vendor lock-in.
What do I pay for?
You only pay for AI inference credits when you use AI models. This is usage-based pricing - you pay for what you use, nothing more. There are no subscriptions or seat fees for the open source version.
Can I use my own API keys?
Absolutely. You can bring your own API keys from providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and others. This gives you complete control over your costs and usage.
When do I need Enterprise?
Enterprise is for organizations that need team collaboration features and enterprise-grade security, including JetBrains extension, centralized billing, team management dashboard, role-based access control, SSO, audit logs, VPC deployments, SLA, priority support, and dedicated support.
Is there vendor lock-in?
No. Cline is open source and supports many providers (Anthropic, Gemini, OpenAI, OpenRouter, AWS Bedrock, GCP Vertex, Groq, Cerebras, DeepSeek, etc.). You are never locked into a single platform or pricing model.