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Cline connects to AI models through a provider. You have two paths:

Cline Provider

Sign in with Google, GitHub, or email. No API keys to manage — access multiple models with built-in billing, free options, and early access to new releases.Best for: Most users, fastest setup

Bring Your Own Key (BYOK)

Use 3rd party provider or API keys from Anthropic, OpenAI, OpenRouter, or any supported provider. Run models locally with Ollama or LM Studio for complete privacy.Best for: Enterprise, custom billing, local models
Watch: Selecting Your Model walks through choosing and configuring your first model.

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Setup Steps

1

Open Settings

Click the settings icon in the top-right of the Cline panel.
2

Select a Provider

Choose from the API Provider dropdown:
  • Cline — simplest setup, no API key needed
  • OpenRouter — many models, one API key
  • Anthropic — direct Claude access
  • Ollama / LM Studio — run models locally
3

Authenticate

Cline Provider: Click Sign In and authenticate via Google, GitHub, or email. See OAuth details below.BYOK: Paste your API key from your provider’s dashboard.Local: No key needed — just ensure your local server is running.
API keys are stored in your system’s credential manager and sent only to your selected provider. They are never logged or transmitted to Cline’s servers.
4

Choose a Model

Select a model from the Model dropdown. Consider:
  • Context window — how much code the model can process at once
  • Speed — smaller models respond faster
  • Cost — varies by model; local models are free
5

Verify

Send any message. If Cline responds, you’re ready.

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Cline Provider

The Cline Provider gives you one account, one billing relationship, and access to models from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and more.
  • No API key juggling — one sign-in, multiple models
  • Built-in billing — add credits once, use across all models
  • Free models — search “free” in the model selector to find no-cost options tagged FREE
  • Stealth models — early access to new releases before they’re widely available
  • Always current — new models added as they launch

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Adding Credits

Click Add Credits in Cline settings or visit your account dashboard. Credits work across all available models.

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How OAuth Works

1

Sign In

Click Sign In in Cline settings. Your browser opens to app.cline.bot.
2

Authenticate

Choose Google, GitHub, or email.
3

Return to IDE

After authentication, you’re redirected back with an authorization code.
4

Secure Storage

Tokens are stored in your IDE’s native secret storage (VS Code Secrets, JetBrains Credential Store, etc.).

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Bring Your Own Key (BYOK)

Use your own API keys when you need specific billing arrangements, higher rate limits, access to beta models, or local privacy.

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Cloud Providers

ProviderBest ForSetup Guide
OpenRouterMultiple models, competitive pricingSetup
AnthropicDirect Claude accessSetup
Claude CodeClaude Max/Pro subscriptionSetup
OpenAIGPT modelsSetup
Google GeminiLarge context windowsSetup
AWS BedrockEnterpriseSetup
DeepSeekGreat valueSetup

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Local Models

Run models on your own hardware for complete privacy and zero per-request costs.
ProviderBest ForSetup Guide
OllamaEasy setup, wide model selectionSetup
LM StudioGUI-based model managementSetup
Local models require sufficient hardware (especially GPU memory). See Running Models Locally for requirements.

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Which Model Should I Choose?

PriorityRecommended Model
ReliabilityClaude Sonnet 4
ValueQwen3 Coder
SpeedCerebras GLm 4.6
PrivacyAny Ollama/LM Studio model
Existing subscriptionClaude Code with Max/Pro
Learn more about LLMs and models in Chapter 2 of AI Coding University.

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CLI Authentication

# Authenticate from the terminal
cline auth

# Shorthand
cline a
Opens a browser for OAuth, same as the IDE extension. Your session persists until you sign out.

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Account Management

  • Balance & usage: Open Cline settings — your credit balance is at the top. Click View Usage for transaction history.
  • Switch organization: Go to Cline settings → Switch Organization to change which billing account is charged.

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Troubleshooting

IssueFix
”Unauthorized: Please sign in”Session expired. Click Sign In to re-authenticate.
Browser doesn’t openCheck default browser settings. Copy the URL from the Cline output panel manually.
Frequent re-authenticationCheck org security policies. Ensure you’re not clearing IDE secrets. Try a full sign-out/sign-in.
Can’t access organizationVerify membership at app.cline.bot. Ask your admin about permissions. Sign out and back in.

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Next Steps