Skip to main content
Cline is an AI-powered coding assistant that works directly inside your editor. You describe what you want in plain text, and Cline writes code, creates files, runs terminal commands, and even tests web apps in a browser, all while asking for your permission before making any changes. Think of it as pair programming with an AI that can actually touch your files and run your tools, but only when you say so. This guide gets you from zero to working code in under 2 minutes.
What You’ll Need:
  • One of: VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Antigravity, a JetBrains IDE, or Node.js 20+ (for CLI)
  • An internet connection (Cline connects to AI models in the cloud)
  • ~2 minutes

​
1. Install

Open Extensions (Cmd+Shift+X on Mac, Ctrl+Shift+X on Windows/Linux), search Cline, click Install.
For detailed installation instructions including troubleshooting, see the full installation guide.

​
2. Authenticate

Click the Cline icon in your editor’s sidebar, then click Sign Up. You’ll authenticate at app.cline.bot and return to your editor ready to go. Authenticating gives you access to multiple AI models without managing separate API keys. Your account includes both free and paid models. Free models are labeled FREE in the model selector. For paid models, you can add credits in your account dashboard. You’re always in control of which model you use. Send any message to confirm you’re connected, then move on to building something.
CLI users: Run cline auth to authenticate from your terminal.

​
3. Build Something

Now let’s have Cline write some code. Open any folder in your editor, then paste this: 
Create a Python function that checks if a string is a palindrome. Include tests.
Cline will analyze your request, create a new file, and ask for your approval before writing anything to disk. Click Approve to create the file. That’s it. You have working code with tests.
Not seeing file changes? You might be in Plan Mode, where Cline discusses the approach without modifying files. Look for the Plan/Act toggle at the bottom of the Cline panel and switch to Act to let Cline start writing code. Learn more about Plan & Act →

​
4. You’re All Set

Let’s recap what you just did:
  1. Installed Cline in your editor
  2. Authenticated to connect to AI models
  3. Built working code: Cline wrote it, you approved it
Every step of the way, Cline showed you exactly what it planned to do and waited for your approval. This is Cline’s human-in-the-loop model: every file edit, terminal command, and browser action is shown to you first and only happens after you click Approve. You can review exactly what’s changing, reject anything you don’t want, and stay fully in control of your codebase. Nothing happens behind your back.

​
What Else Can Cline Do?

The palindrome example is just the beginning. Here are some prompts to explore Cline’s full capabilities:
  • Read my project and explain the architecture: Cline navigates and analyzes your codebase
  • Find and fix the bug in src/utils.ts: Cline reads files, proposes edits, and can run tests
  • Run my test suite and fix any failures: Cline executes terminal commands and iterates on problems
  • Open a browser and test my app at localhost:3000: Cline launches a browser and interacts with pages
  • Set up an MCP server for my database: Cline can connect to external tools and APIs
Cline works best when you give it clear, specific instructions. The more context you provide about what you want, the better the results.
Cline runs entirely in your editor (or terminal). When you send a message, it goes to the AI model you’ve selected (like Claude, GPT-4, or Gemini). The model’s response is parsed into actions (file edits, terminal commands, browser interactions) which Cline presents to you for approval. Your code never passes through Cline’s servers. It goes directly from your machine to your chosen AI provider.

​
Next Steps