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Cline

An AI agent inside the editor you already use.

VS Code · JetBrains · Cursor · WindsurfOpen-source · bring your own keyBeginners who want to see and approve every change
Official site Publish a proof

What it is

Cline is an open-source coding agent that runs inside VS Code (and JetBrains). Its Plan / Act workflow shows you a plan, waits for approval, then makes changes as inline diffs you review line by line.

It is the gentlest on-ramp if you are new to agentic coding — you watch every edit before it lands.

Cline now also ships an open-source SDK and a CLI, so the same agent can run headless in scripts and CI — not just inside the editor.

Install & set up

1. Install the extension

Open the Extensions panel in VS Code, search 'Cline', and install.

code --install-extension saoudrizwan.claude-dev
2. Or use the CLI

Cline now has an open-source CLI and SDK for headless and CI runs. Install it globally with npm.

npm install -g @cline/cli
3. Add your API key

Open Cline, pick a provider (e.g. Anthropic), and paste your key. To use a Claude subscription instead of pay-as-you-go, use Claude Code.

4. Start in Plan mode

Describe the task; Cline proposes a plan. Read it, refine it, approve it.

5. Switch to Act

Cline makes changes as inline diffs. Approve or reject each one — this is your Inspect step.

From install to your first verified proof

The tool drafts; you stay accountable. Here is the path from a fresh install to a proof you can defend.

1In Plan mode, describe one small real feature and the success condition. Let Cline propose the plan; correct anything that is wrong.
2Switch to Act and review each inline diff before you accept it. Rejecting and re-asking is normal — it is how you stay accountable.
3Run the app, test on mobile, and fix one bug yourself so you can explain it.
4Deploy and log the result at /proof with your live URL, repo, and Explain.
The proof tie: Cline's diff-by-diff approval IS the Inspect step. Keep that discipline, deploy, and log the proof.

Strengths & gotchas

Strengths

  • See and approve every change before it lands
  • Lives in your existing editor
  • Now ships an open-source SDK + CLI for headless and CI runs
  • Plan-then-Act keeps you in control
  • Great for learning what the AI is actually doing

Gotchas

  • BYOK — you pay per token in USD
  • To use a Claude subscription you need Claude Code
  • Requires VS Code or JetBrains
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