> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cline.bot/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Authorization

> Authenticate with Cline and choose your first AI model

Cline connects to AI models through a **provider**. You have three common paths:

* **Cline (usage-billing)** (recommended): sign in with Google/GitHub/email, no API key setup.
* **ClinePass**: a \$9.99/month subscription provider with access to selected open coding models and 2-5x API rate limits.
* **Bring Your Own Key (BYOK)**: use your own provider credentials (cloud or local runtimes).

## Menu

* [IDE Setup](#ide-setup)
* [CLI Setup](#cli-setup)

## IDE Setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Cline Settings">
    Click the settings icon (⚙️) in the Cline panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Provider">
    Choose your desired provider from the **API Provider** dropdown.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authenticate">
    * **Cline (usage-billing):** Click **Sign In** and complete OAuth.
    * **ClinePass:** Select **ClinePass**, click **Sign In**, and subscribe if prompted.
    * **BYOK cloud provider:** Paste your API key into the **API Key** field.
    * **Local runtime (Ollama/LM Studio):** no key needed; ensure runtime is running.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Model">
    Choose your desired Claude model from the **Model** dropdown.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Provider Options

### Cline (usage-billing)

* One sign-in, no key management
* Built-in billing and free model options
* Access to multiple providers from one account

Add credits in Cline settings or at [app.cline.bot/dashboard](https://app.cline.bot/dashboard).

### ClinePass

* Flat **\$9.99/month** subscription
* 2-5x API rate limits for longer agent sessions
* Curated open coding models including GLM, Kimi, DeepSeek, and MiMo

Subscribe from the [ClinePass dashboard](https://app.cline.bot/dashboard/subscription?personal=true), then select **ClinePass** as your provider in Cline. See the [ClinePass guide](/getting-started/clinepass) for included models and reference pricing.

### BYOK (cloud + local)

### Cloud Providers

| Provider          | Best For                             | Setup Guide                                   |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------- |
| **OpenRouter**    | Multiple models, competitive pricing | [Setup](/provider-config/openrouter)          |
| **Anthropic**     | Direct Claude access                 | [Setup](/provider-config/anthropic)           |
| **Claude Code**   | Claude Max/Pro subscription          | [Setup](/provider-config/anthropic)           |
| **OpenAI**        | GPT models                           | [Setup](/provider-config/openai)              |
| **Google Gemini** | Gemini models                        | [Setup](/provider-config/google-gemini)       |
| **AWS Bedrock**   | Enterprise                           | [Setup](/provider-config/aws-bedrock/api-key) |
| **DeepSeek**      | Great value                          | [Setup](/provider-config/deepseek)            |

### Local Models

Run models on your own hardware for complete privacy and zero per-request costs.

| Provider      | Best For                | Setup Guide                                               |
| ------------- | ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Ollama**    | CLI-based local runtime | [Setup](/running-models-locally/overview#runtime-options) |
| **LM Studio** | GUI-based local runtime | [Setup](/running-models-locally/overview#runtime-options) |

Local models require sufficient hardware (especially GPU memory). See [Running Models Locally](/running-models-locally/overview) for requirements.

## CLI Setup

```bash theme={"system"}
# Authenticate from the terminal
cline auth

# Shorthand
cline a
```

Runs the same auth flow as IDE setup.

## Troubleshooting

| Issue                          | Fix                                                                                                                  |
| ------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| "Unauthorized: Please sign in" | Session expired. Click **Sign In** to re-authenticate.                                                               |
| Browser doesn't open           | Check default browser settings. Copy the URL from the Cline output panel manually.                                   |
| Frequent re-authentication     | Check org security policies. Ensure you're not clearing IDE secrets. Try a full sign-out/sign-in.                    |
| Can't access organization      | Verify membership at [app.cline.bot](https://app.cline.bot). Ask your admin about permissions. Sign out and back in. |