Cline
Summary
Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains, terminal, and SDK workflows with model-provider flexibility including OpenRouter.
<p>Cline is an open-source coding agent that helps developers understand codebases, edit files, run terminal commands, automate recurring engineering tasks, and use multiple model providers from an IDE, CLI, TUI, Kanban board, or embeddable SDK. It keeps developers in control with approval-based actions, supports bring-your-own-key provider setups, and includes OpenRouter support for accessing many models through one API.</p>
Categories: Coding, Developer AI, AI Chat & Assistant, Assistant Code, AI Agent.
Pricing
Enterprise, ClinePass $9.99/month, Bring you Own API
Features
- AI coding agent for IDE, CLI, TUI, Kanban, and SDK workflows
- Reads and writes project files with human approval
- Runs terminal commands and reacts to command output
- Plan and Act workflow for structured implementation
- Supports OpenRouter and other model providers through provider configuration
- Checkpoints, rules, MCP support, subagents, and multi-root workspace support
- Open-source core for individual developers with enterprise options for teams
Use Cases
- Generate and refactor code across multiple files
- Ask questions about an unfamiliar codebase
- Automate recurring CLI-based engineering tasks
- Run code reviews or maintenance workflows from the terminal
- Experiment with different AI models through OpenRouter or BYOK providers
Pros
- Open-source and model-agnostic rather than locked to one provider
- Works in both editor and terminal workflows
- OpenRouter support makes model switching easier
- Human approval flow helps keep file edits and command execution controlled
- Useful for both interactive coding and recurring automation
Cons
- Total cost depends on selected model and inference usage
- Agentic workflows can consume many tokens on large tasks
- Developers still need to review generated code, command output, and diffs
- Some advanced team controls require Enterprise
Alternatives
- OpenAI Codex - OpenAI Codex is a ChatGPT-powered coding agent for building, reviewing, refactoring, testing, and shipping software across app, IDE, CLI, and web surfaces.
- v0 - v0 by Vercel is an AI product builder for generating, editing, and deploying web app interfaces from prompts.
- ChatGPT - OpenAI's versatile chatbot for conversation, writing, and tasks.
- Perplexity AI - Perplexity AI is an AI-powered answer engine that gives users direct, source-backed answers instead of a traditional list of links.
- GitHub Copilot - GitHub Copilot is an AI coding assistant that suggests code, completes functions, and supports developer workflows directly inside supported editors.
- Bolt - Bolt is an AI website and app builder from StackBlitz for creating, editing, and hosting projects through chat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cline?
Cline is an open-source AI coding agent that works in editors and terminals to read files, write code, run commands, and help developers complete software tasks with approval-based controls.
Does Cline support OpenRouter?
Yes. Cline documents OpenRouter as a provider option, letting users connect an OpenRouter API key and choose supported models from the provider list.
Is Cline free?
The open-source Cline product is free for individual developers. Users pay separately for AI inference through Cline credits, their own provider keys, OpenRouter, or optional ClinePass.
Who should use Cline?
Cline is best for developers who want a model-flexible coding agent that can work across files, terminal commands, codebase questions, refactors, and automation workflows.
Internal Links
Official website: https://cline.bot/
Canonical FindMyAI page: https://findmyai.xyz/tools/cline