What is Cline?
Cline is an open source coding agent that installs as a VS Code extension. Its distinguishing trait is control: rather than applying changes silently, it proposes each file edit and each terminal command and waits for your approval. It is bring-your-own-key, so the extension is free and you only pay for the model you connect.
Pros
- Free and open source, inside VS Code
- Approve change by change: full control over what it touches
- Compatible with Anthropic, OpenAI, Bedrock, Vertex and Azure
- More than 1.5 million installs and a very active community
Cons
- Bring your own key: you pay for the tokens
- Approving every step is slower than letting the agent run
- No commercial support: it is a community project
Frequently asked questions
Is Cline free?
Yes, the extension is free and open source under Apache 2.0. You only pay for the API usage of whichever model you connect.
Cline or Cursor?
Cursor is a more polished commercial product with models included. Cline is free, stays inside the VS Code you already use, and gives you explicit control over every change.
Is it safe to let it run commands?
It asks for confirmation before every terminal command and every file edit, precisely so that nothing happens without you seeing it.