Cline
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.
Solution
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
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