Cline
Open-source autonomous coding agent for VS Code that runs on your own API key with no subscription
Open Source
About Cline
Cline is an Apache 2.0 open-source coding agent that lives in the VS Code sidebar. It reads your codebase, edits files, runs terminal commands, and drives a real browser, asking for approval at each step or running on autopilot. You bring your own API key (Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, OpenRouter, or local models), so there's no subscription and you pay model providers directly. It suits developers who want agentic coding with full control and zero vendor lock-in.
Key Features
- Plan and Act modes for separating strategy from execution
- Bring-your-own-key support across 30+ providers including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and OpenRouter
- Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers for custom tools and integrations
- Human-in-the-loop approval on every file edit and terminal command
- Browser automation via Puppeteer for testing and debugging
- Local model support through Ollama and LM Studio
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Fully open source under Apache 2.0 with no subscription required
- No vendor lock-in since you choose the model and provider
- Strong control with per-step approval and an optional auto-approve mode
- Extensible through MCP servers and a growing plugin ecosystem
Room for improvement
- BYO-key costs can spike on large tasks since you pay per token
- Quality depends heavily on pairing it with a capable model
- Less polished out-of-box than fully managed paid agents
- API setup and provider config add friction for non-technical users
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cline?
Cline is an open source AI coding agent that runs as a VS Code extension. It reads your files, edits them autonomously, runs terminal commands with your approval, and connects to external tools through the Model Context Protocol. It is Apache 2.0 licensed with a large community on GitHub.
Is Cline free?
The Cline extension itself is completely free and open source. You bring your own API key from a provider like Anthropic, OpenAI, or Google and pay that provider directly, with no Cline subscription or seat fee. Typical usage runs from about 15 to 120 dollars a month depending on model and workload, as of 2026.
Who is Cline for?
Cline suits developers who want an autonomous agent inside VS Code without vendor lock in, and who prefer paying token costs directly over a flat subscription. It is a strong fit for people who want full transparency, control over which model they use, and MCP tool integrations.
What is Cline's standout feature?
Its signature feature is the Plan and Act toggle. In Plan mode the model can only read files, search the workspace, and write a step by step proposal without touching code or running commands. You review the plan, then switch to Act mode to let it execute, which reduces surprise edits on big tasks.
Best For
Multi-file refactors and feature work inside VS CodeRunning an agent on a private or self-hosted model for data controlAutomating terminal-driven tasks like builds, tests, and migrationsExtending a coding agent with custom MCP tools and integrations
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