> ## 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.

# What is Cline?

> An AI coding agent that lives in your editor. Read files, run commands, and build features through natural language.

Cline is an open-source AI coding agent that runs in your editor. It gives you direct, transparent access to frontier AI with no limits, no surprises, and no model ecosystem lock-in. See every decision. Choose any model. Control your costs.

<Tip>
  **New to coding agents?** Watch [What is a Coding Agent?](https://youtu.be/CYIteJeNcuw) to see how Cline works in action.
</Tip>

## Get Started

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install Cline">
    Add Cline to VS Code, Cursor, or JetBrains from the extension marketplace; or download Cline CLI to work in the terminal.

    [Install Guide →](/getting-started/installing-cline)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick Your Model">
    Connect your API key from Anthropic, OpenRouter, or any supported provider.

    [Model Setup →](/getting-started/authorizing-with-cline)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start Building">
    Open Cline from the sidebar and describe what you want to build.

    [Your First Project →](/getting-started/your-first-project)
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What Cline Can Do

Cline operates directly in your codebase with your permission:

* **Read and write files** - Navigate your codebase, create new files, and make targeted edits. You approve every change before it happens.
* **Run terminal commands** - Execute shell commands, run tests, install packages, and debug errors in real-time.
* **Use a browser** - Launch a browser to test web apps, capture screenshots, and interact with pages.
* **Connect external tools** - Extend capabilities with [MCP servers](/mcp/mcp-overview) for databases, APIs, and documentation.
* **Run from the command line** - Use the [Cline CLI](/cline-cli/getting-started) for headless automation, CI/CD pipelines, and shell workflows.

## Core Workflows

These are the patterns you'll use daily with Cline:

| Workflow                                                 | What It Does                                                                                                        |
| -------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [Plan & Act](/core-workflows/plan-and-act)               | Think first, then build. Plan mode explores your codebase without making changes. Act mode implements the solution. |
| [Task Management](/core-workflows/task-management)       | Start tasks, resume previous work, and manage long-running sessions.                                                |
| [Working with Files](/core-workflows/working-with-files) | Use @ mentions to reference files, folders, URLs, and terminal output in your prompts.                              |
| [Commands](/core-workflows/using-commands)               | Keyboard shortcuts, slash commands, and terminal integration.                                                       |
| [Checkpoints](/core-workflows/checkpoints)               | Automatic snapshots of your project. Restore to any previous state instantly.                                       |

## Why Cline

* **Transparent by default** - Watch every file read, every decision considered, every token used. No black box.
* **Any model, any provider** - Use Claude, GPT-4, Gemini, DeepSeek, or local models. Switch instantly as new models launch.
* **Zero trust architecture** - Your code never touches our servers. Cline runs entirely client-side with your API keys.
* **Open source** - Every line of code on [GitHub](https://github.com/cline/cline). 50k+ stars from developers who use it daily.