Updated March 2026 · 10 min read · By PopularAiTools.ai
Cline is an open-source autonomous AI coding agent that works as a VS Code extension, capable of creating and editing files, running terminal commands, and utilizing the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to extend its capabilities. Cline brings AI coding directly into your IDE with Plan/Act modes, supporting API providers like OpenRouter, Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, AWS Bedrock, and local models through Ollama. The agent can browse the web, execute commands, and build complete features with your permission at every step. Cline has rapidly become one of the most popular open-source AI coding tools. Pricing model: Freemium. Rating: 4.6/5
Cline is an open-source autonomous AI coding agent that works as a VS Code extension, capable of creating and editing files, running terminal commands, and utilizing the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to extend its capabilities. Cline brings AI coding directly into your IDE with Plan/Act modes, supporting API providers like OpenRouter, Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, AWS Bedrock, and local models through Ollama. The agent can browse the web, execute commands, and build complete features with your permission at every step. Cline has rapidly become one of the most popular open-source AI coding tools.
Create and edit files, run terminal commands, and build features autonomously with your permission at every step.
Extend capabilities through Model Context Protocol for connecting to external tools and data sources.
Use OpenRouter, Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, AWS Bedrock, or local models through Ollama.
Plan mode outlines the approach before acting. Act mode executes changes with step-by-step approval.
Browse the web, read documentation, and research solutions as part of the coding workflow.
Works directly in VS Code as a natural part of your development environment.

Step 1: Sign Up or Install
Visit the official Cline website and create your account or download the application. Most plans offer a free trial or free tier so you can explore the platform before committing.
Step 2: Configure Your Workspace
Set up your workspace according to your needs. Cline provides onboarding guides or tutorials to help you get started quickly with the core features.
Step 3: Explore Core Features
Start using the main capabilities of Cline. Take advantage of any templates, presets, or quick-start options to accelerate your workflow and see results faster.
Step 4: Integrate with Your Stack
Connect Cline with your existing tools and workflows. Check for available integrations with popular platforms and APIs to maximize productivity.
Step 5: Scale and Optimize
As you become more familiar with Cline, explore advanced features and settings. Monitor your usage and results to optimize your workflow and determine if upgrading makes sense.
The core Cline extension is free and open-source. You pay only for AI inference through your chosen provider. Team plans available at $20/month per seat after free trial.


Cline has become the leading open-source AI coding agent by combining autonomous capability with human-in-the-loop safety. The MCP integration makes it infinitely extensible, and multi-provider support gives developers complete flexibility. For developers who want powerful AI coding assistance without vendor lock-in or subscription costs beyond inference, Cline is the top choice. The open-source community continues to drive rapid improvement.
Our Rating: 4.6 / 5
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Submit Your AI Tool →The core extension is free and open-source. You pay only for AI model inference through your chosen API provider.
Cline supports OpenRouter, Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, AWS Bedrock, Azure, and local models via Ollama.
No, Cline asks for permission at every step. Plan mode lets you review the approach before any changes are made.
Model Context Protocol lets Cline connect to external tools and data sources, extending its capabilities beyond code editing.
Yes, Cline can execute terminal commands as part of its autonomous workflow, with your approval.
Cline is primarily a VS Code extension. Check the project for support in other editors.
Cursor is a standalone editor with AI built in. Cline is an extension for VS Code. Both offer autonomous AI coding with different approaches.
Yes, connect to local models through Ollama or LM Studio for fully private AI coding assistance.

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