Cline

Editor Review

Before editing a repository, switch to plan mode, agree on the approach, and approve each step, or turn on auto-approve so it continues. Checkpoints make every step reversible. A rules file stores coding standards and deployment conventions in the repo for the next task. Tests, dev servers, and deploys in the terminal continue from the output instead of stopping at advice. You bring the model key, endpoint, or weights. The desktop app does not require a particular editor. It fits engineering teams that want an open-source agent in an existing IDE, pipeline, or their own product.

AI Tools Navigator Editorial TeamUpdated: 2026-10-09

What is Cline

Cline, from Cline Bot Inc。 is an open-source coding agent under the Apache 2.0 license. The same runtime can run as a desktop app, an editor extension, and a terminal tool, or be embedded in your own product through the SDK. It edits across files with diffs, checkpoints, and one-step undo, runs commands in the terminal, and can plan before it acts. A rules file in the repository can store coding standards. Models can be a provider, local inference, or a compatible endpoint, with your own key. It can also register MCP tools, delegate work to multiple agents, and connect to Slack and continuous integration.

Cline Key Features

Multi-file edits with undo

It coordinates changes across files, keeps diffs, checkpoints, and one-step undo, and uses linter results.

Plan, then act

Plan mode aligns the approach. Act mode can wait for approval on each step or run with auto-approve.

Run terminal commands

It runs commands in the terminal and reacts to output, including long-running dev servers, tests, and deploys.

Repo rules and extensions

A rules file in the repo stores standards. The SDK registers tools and lifecycle hooks, and MCP servers can be connected.

Cline Key Advantages

Cross-file edits keep diffs, checkpoints, and one-step undo, and they take linter results into account

Plan mode aligns the approach, then each step can be approved or auto-approved

Terminal commands continue from live output, including tests, dev servers, and deploys

Rules files, MCP, and the SDK live in the same open-source runtime, which can also connect to Slack and CI

Cline Use Cases

Refactor across files in the editor

From the IDE extension, have it change several files and roll back a bad step with a checkpoint.

Run a recurring check in CI

Put the command line in a script or continuous-integration job to run checks, updates, or another fixed workflow.

Embed the runtime in a product

Use the SDK to embed the same agent in your own product and connect database or infrastructure tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does Cline include a model?

No. The page says it works with major providers, local inference, or a compatible endpoint, and you bring the key, endpoint, or weights while keeping the same workflow. The open-source runtime does not include a ready-made model allowance. The desktop app, editor extension, command line, and SDK share that runtime, so changing the surface does not force a new model setup.

▶How do I choose plan mode or auto-approve?

Use plan mode first to align on a strategy, then act. During execution you can approve every step, or turn on auto-approve so it continues. Each step has a diff and a checkpoint, so a bad step can be undone. A rules file in the repo stores coding standards, architecture, and deployment conventions for later tasks.

▶Can it run in CI or a chat tool?

Yes. The command line can run headlessly in continuous integration for scheduled checks and updates. The page also describes chatting with it from Slack, Discord, Telegram, or Linear, and a coordinator agent can delegate work to specialists with their own tools and context. Those connections use the same runtime, not a separate editor you must buy.

Cline

Editor Review

What is Cline

Basic Info

Best For

Cline Key Features

Cline Key Advantages

Cline Use Cases

Frequently Asked Questions

Latest News

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Cline

Editor Review

What is Cline

Basic Info

Best For

Cline Key Features

Cline Key Advantages

Cline Use Cases

Frequently Asked Questions

Latest News

User Reviews

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TRAE编程

通义灵码

文心快码

豆包AI编程

Cursor

GitHub Copilot

代码小浣熊

Kiro