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Independent reviews · Clear choices · No jargon
Coding tool

Cline

An open-source autonomous coding agent inside VS Code that reads/writes files and runs commands.

Last updated by editors:

Our review

Cline is an open-source autonomous coding agent inside VS Code that reads/writes files, runs commands and lets you pick the model, bringing agentic power into an editor you already know.

It needs an API key, consumes tokens, and large tasks need watching; but as an open, model-agnostic VS Code agent, Cline is a high-value autonomous option beyond Cursor/Copilot.

Pros

Open-source
VS Code integration
Autonomous execution
Model choice

Cons

Needs API key
Consumes tokens
Watch big tasks

Key features

File read/writeCommand executionBrowser actionsMCP support

Best for

VS Code usersAutonomous developmentScript automation

FAQ

What is Cline?

An open-source autonomous coding agent inside VS Code that reads/writes files and runs commands.

What are the pros and cons of Cline?

Pros: Open-source, VS Code integration, Autonomous execution, Model choice. Cons: Needs API key, Consumes tokens, Watch big tasks.

How much does Cline cost?

Open source: Free; API: Pay-as-you-go.

Who is Cline for?

Best for VS Code users, Autonomous development, Script automation.

What are the alternatives to Cline?

Consider Cursor, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Aider.

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Pricing

Open sourceFree
  • Free extension
  • Bring your own model
APIPay-as-you-go
  • Per-model billing
  • Any model
Cline pricing

Rating

4.5/ 5
Our editorial score

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