Cline
Open-source VS Code extension that gives Claude, GPT-4 and other models agentic access to your files, terminal and browser.
Overview
Cline is an open-source VS Code extension that turns a language model of your choice into an autonomous coding agent. It can read and write files, run terminal commands, search the web and control a browser using the Model Context Protocol. You bring your own API key for whichever provider you prefer, so there is no per-seat subscription to Cline itself. The extension supports custom tool definitions that let you extend what the agent can do.
Key features
- Agentic file reading, writing and creation
- Terminal command execution
- Browser control via computer use
- Bring-your-own model via API keys
- Model Context Protocol (MCP) tool support
Pricing
- Pricing model
- Open source
- Monthly
- Open source, free to self-host
- Yearly
- Not on record
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- Not on record
- Last verified
- Checked October 4, 2026
Pros
- Free to use; costs are only what you pay your model provider
- Works with any API-compatible model
- Extensible with custom MCP tools
Cons
- Requires managing API keys and understanding token costs
- Only works inside VS Code
Who should use it
- Developers who want a coding agent inside VS Code without switching editors
- Teams that want to control which model provider and API keys they use
- Experienced developers who want to extend agent capabilities with custom tools
Intermediate, Advanced · Individuals, Small teams
Who shouldn't
- Users who want a polished, no-config experience without managing API keys
- Developers on editors other than VS Code
Facts
- Category
- AI coding
- Platforms
- IDE plug-in
- Integrations
- VS Code, GitHub, Anthropic API, OpenAI API
- API
- Not on record
- Skill level
- Intermediate, Advanced
- Team size
- Individuals, Small teams
- Data and privacy
- Cline is open-source; it sends requests directly to your configured model provider and does not relay data through Cline servers.
Alternatives
- Claude CodeAI coding
Terminal-based agentic coding tool from Anthropic that reads a codebase, edits files and runs commands to complete tasks end to end.
Usage-based pricing - AiderAI coding
Open-source command-line AI coding assistant that pairs with a local git repository and edits files directly from the terminal.
Open source, free to self-host - CursorAI coding
AI-first code editor built on VS Code that autocompletes, answers questions and applies multi-file changes from a single instruction.
From $20/month
Frequently asked questions
How much does Cline cost?
Open source, free to self-host. Checked October 4, 2026.
Does Cline have a free plan?
Yes. Cline is free to use.
Who is Cline best for?
Developers who want a coding agent inside VS Code without switching editors; Teams that want to control which model provider and API keys they use; Experienced developers who want to extend agent capabilities with custom tools.
Which platforms does Cline run on?
IDE plug-in.
Does Cline have an API?
Our data does not list a public API for Cline.
What are the alternatives to Cline?
Tools often weighed against Cline include Claude Code, Aider, Cursor.