Cline
also known as Claude Dev
Type: full-code · Vendor: Cline Bot Inc. · Language: TypeScript · License: Apache-2.0 · Status: active · Status in practice: mature · First released: 2024-07-06
Open-source coding agent that delivers the same engine across CLI, VS Code, JetBrains, and a Kanban multi-agent board, with explicit human-in-the-loop approval, plan/act mode separation, and a programmable SDK.
Description. Cline is an autonomous coding agent that reads files, writes code, runs terminal commands, browses the web, and uses MCP tools, with every action defaulting to explicit user approval. It separates Plan mode (read-only exploration, no edits) from Act mode (executes the agreed plan). Cline ships as a VS Code extension, JetBrains plugin, terminal CLI (interactive and headless), a Node SDK, and the Kanban web UI for running many agents in parallel with worktrees. Supports most major model providers and ships first-class MCP, scheduled agents, multi-agent teams, and checkpoints backed by a shadow git repo.
Agent loop shape. Plan/Act split. Plan mode reads the codebase and discusses strategy — file edits and command execution are blocked. Once the plan is accepted, Act mode carries the same conversation context forward and executes: edits, terminal, browser, MCP tools, all gated by human-in-the-loop approval (or auto-approve). Every step takes a checkpoint into a shadow git repo so the user can restore. CLI supports headless mode and `cline schedule create` for cron-driven agents.
Primary use cases
- approval-gated IDE+CLI coding agent
- multi-agent teams via Kanban board with worktrees
- scheduled coding agents via cline schedule
- headless CI/CD coding via cline CLI
Key concepts
- Plan vs Act → plan-and-execute (docs) — Read-only planning then approval-gated execution.
- Checkpoints → agent-resumption (docs) — Shadow-git snapshots after every step; restorable.
- .clinerules → cross-session-memory (docs) — Markdown rules files (also reads .cursorrules, .windsurfrules, AGENTS.md).
- MCP → mcp (docs) — External tools via Model Context Protocol; works in VS Code + CLI with shared config.
- Multi-agent teams — Coordinator + specialist agents via `cline --team-name`.
- Scheduled agents — Cron-style recurring runs via `cline schedule`.
Patterns this full-code implements —
- ★Agent-Computer Interface
Editor + terminal as shared ACI.
- ★★Agent Resumption
Checkpoints + team state both persist across sessions.
- ★Agent Skills
Skills load specific rules when needed; .clinerules project rules guide Cline.
- ★★Approval Queue
Every action requires explicit approval; auto-approve is opt-in.
- ★Code-as-Action Agent
Edits + terminal commands are first-class agent actions; apply_patch + editor tools surface diffs; auto-approve gates which become silent.
- ★★Code Execution
Commands run in user's terminal; long-running processes monitored in background.
- ★Computer Use
Browser + terminal + filesystem; auto-approve has explicit browser-actions gate alongside file/terminal/MCP toggles.
- ★★Cross-Session Memory
Markdown rules across .clinerules, .cursorrules, .windsurfrules, AGENTS.md.
- ★★Model Context Protocol
MCP works in both VS Code and CLI with shared server config.
- ★★Multi-Model Routing
Provider-agnostic — Claude / GPT / Gemini / OpenRouter (200+) / Bedrock / Vertex / Cerebras / Groq / Ollama / OpenAI-compatible.
- ★★Plan-and-Execute
Plan and Act modes are explicit and complementary.
- ★★ReAct
Plan/Act loop in Act mode is the canonical ReAct shape (thinking separated from doing); iterate between modes when complexity grows.
- ★Subagent Isolation
Coordinator + specialist agents, each with own tools and context; Plan/Act modes preserve context history when switching.
- ★★Tool Use
Built-in tools (read/write/edit/Bash/browser) plus MCP-server-extensible tools.
- ★Todo-List-Driven Autonomous Agent
Focus Chain is Cline's documented todo-list primitive: auto-generated markdown checklist that persists across context resets, periodically re-read.
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- Verification status: verified