Cline

cline/cline

An autonomous coding agent in VS Code that reads and writes files, runs terminal commands and drives a browser, showing you each step before it runs.

Why pick itWorks with any model (including local and self-hosted endpoints) and supports MCP; now also has a CLI and SDK. The most widely used open-source IDE agent.

Install

GitHub: cline/cline
Website: cline.bot
Stars: ★ 70.8k
License: Apache-2.0
Language: TypeScript
Last push: Oct 24, 2026
Category: Coding

Good for

Have an agent make coordinated edits across files in VS Code, each shown as a reviewable diff
Run terminal commands, tests and builds while it reacts to errors
Discuss a strategy in Plan mode, then switch to Act mode to execute
Extend it with .clinerules rules, plugins or MCP servers

Getting started

Run code --install-extension saoudrizwan.claude-dev
Choose a model provider and enter its key, or use local models via Ollama or LM Studio
Describe the task in the Cline panel and approve each edit and command

Before you install

Every edit and command needs your approval unless you turn on auto-approve. There is also a CLI (npm i -g cline), a desktop app and a JetBrains plugin.

Summarized by AI from the project docs; check the official docs before relying on it.

Similar tools

OpenCodeCoding · ★ 221k
An open-source coding agent for the terminal (desktop app too) that can switch among 75+ model providers, including local models and existing Copilot/ChatGPT subscriptions.
ZedCoding · ★ 92.1k
A high-performance editor written in Rust with a built-in AI agent panel and edit prediction; external agents like Claude Code, Codex and Gemini CLI plug in via ACP.
ContinueCoding · ★ 36.3k
Chat, inline completion and an agent mode in VS Code and JetBrains, with models and rules defined in config files you control.
Kilo CodeCoding · ★ 27.7k
A coding agent as a VS Code/JetBrains extension and CLI, with Architect, Code, Debug and other modes; bring your own API key.