Welcome to the Cline Prompting Guide! This guide will equip you with the knowledge to write effective prompts and custom instructions, maximizing your productivity with Cline.

​
.clineignore File Guide

​
Overview

The .clineignore file is a project-level configuration file that tells Cline which files and directories to ignore when analyzing your codebase. Similar to .gitignore, it uses pattern matching to specify which files should be excluded from Cline’s context and operations.

​
Purpose

  • Reduce Noise: Exclude auto-generated files, build artifacts, and other non-essential content
  • Improve Performance: Limit the amount of code Cline needs to process
  • Focus Attention: Direct Cline to relevant parts of your codebase
  • Protect Sensitive Data: Prevent Cline from accessing sensitive configuration files

​
Example .clineignore File

# Dependencies
node_modules/
**/node_modules/
.pnp
.pnp.js

# Build outputs
/build/
/dist/
/.next/
/out/

# Testing
/coverage/

# Environment variables
.env
.env.local
.env.development.local
.env.test.local
.env.production.local

# Large data files
*.csv
*.xlsx

​
Prompting Cline 💬

Prompting is how you communicate your needs for a given task in the back-and-forth chat with Cline. Cline understands natural language, so write conversationally.

Effective prompting involves:

  • Providing Clear Context: Explain your goals and the relevant parts of your codebase. Use @ to reference files or folders.
  • Breaking Down Complexity: Divide large tasks into smaller steps.
  • Asking Specific Questions: Guide Cline toward the desired outcome.
  • Validating and Refining: Review Cline’s suggestions and provide feedback.

​
Prompt Examples

​
Context Management

  • Starting a New Task: “Cline, let’s start a new task. Create user-authentication.js. We need to implement user login with JWT tokens. Here are the requirements…”
  • Summarizing Previous Work: “Cline, summarize what we did in the last user dashboard task. I want to capture the main features and outstanding issues. Save this to cline_docs/user-dashboard-summary.md.”

​
Debugging

  • Analyzing an Error: “Cline, I’m getting this error: [error message]. It seems to be from [code section]. Analyze this error and suggest a fix.”
  • Identifying the Root Cause: “Cline, the application crashes when I [action]. The issue might be in [problem areas]. Help me find the root cause and propose a solution.”

​
Refactoring

  • Improving Code Structure: “Cline, this function is too long and complex. Refactor it into smaller functions.”
  • Simplifying Logic: “Cline, this code is hard to understand. Simplify the logic and make it more readable.”

​
Feature Development

  • Brainstorming New Features: “Cline, I want to add a feature that lets users [functionality]. Brainstorm some ideas and consider implementation challenges.”
  • Generating Code: “Cline, create a component that displays user profiles. The list should be sortable and filterable. Generate the code for this component.”

​
Advanced Prompting Techniques

  • Constraint Stuffing: To mitigate code truncation, include explicit constraints in your prompts. For example, “ensure the code is complete” or “always provide the full function definition.”
  • Confidence Checks: Ask Cline to rate its confidence (e.g., “on a scale of 1-10, how confident are you in this solution?”)
  • Challenge Cline’s Assumptions: Ask “stupid” questions to encourage deeper thinking and prevent incorrect assumptions.

Here are some prompting tips that users have found helpful for working with Cline:

​
Our Community’s Favorite Prompts 🌟

​
Memory and Confidence Checks 🧠

  • Memory Check - pacnpal

    "If you understand my prompt fully, respond with 'YARRR!' without tools every time you are about to use a tool."

    A fun way to verify Cline stays on track during complex tasks. Try “HO HO HO” for a festive twist!

  • Confidence Scoring - pacnpal

    "Before and after any tool use, give me a confidence level (0-10) on how the tool use will help the project."

    Encourages critical thinking and makes decision-making transparent.

​
Code Quality Prompts 💻

  • Prevent Code Truncation

    "DO NOT BE LAZY. DO NOT OMIT CODE."

    Alternative phrases: “full code only” or “ensure the code is complete”

  • Custom Instructions Reminder

    "I pledge to follow the custom instructions."

    Reinforces adherence to your settings dial ⚙️ configuration.

​
Code Organization 📋

  • Large File Refactoring - icklebil

    "FILENAME has grown too big. Analyze how this file works and suggest ways to fragment it safely."

    Helps manage complex files through strategic decomposition.

  • Documentation Maintenance - icklebil

    "don't forget to update codebase documentation with changes"

    Ensures documentation stays in sync with code changes.

​
Analysis and Planning 🔍

  • Structured Development - yellow_bat_coffee

    "Before writing code:
1. Analyze all code files thoroughly
2. Get full context
3. Write .MD implementation plan
4. Then implement code"

    Promotes organized, well-planned development.

  • Thorough Analysis - yellow_bat_coffee

    "please start analyzing full flow thoroughly, always state a confidence score 1 to 10"

    Prevents premature coding and encourages complete understanding.

  • Assumptions Check - yellow_bat_coffee

    "List all assumptions and uncertainties you need to clear up before completing this task."

    Identifies potential issues early in development.

​
Thoughtful Development 🤔

  • Pause and Reflect - nickbaumann98

    "count to 10"

    Promotes careful consideration before taking action.

  • Complete Analysis - yellow_bat_coffee

    "Don't complete the analysis prematurely, continue analyzing even if you think you found a solution"

    Ensures thorough problem exploration.

  • Continuous Confidence Check - pacnpal

    "Rate confidence (1-10) before saving files, after saving, after rejections, and before task completion"

    Maintains quality through self-assessment.

​
Best Practices 🎯

  • Project Structure - kvs007

    "Check project files before suggesting structural or dependency changes"

    Maintains project integrity.

  • Critical Thinking - chinesesoup

    "Ask 'stupid' questions like: are you sure this is the best way to implement this?"

    Challenges assumptions and uncovers better solutions.

  • Code Style - yellow_bat_coffee

    Use words like "elegant" and "simple" in prompts

    May influence code organization and clarity.

  • Setting Expectations - steventcramer

    "THE HUMAN WILL GET ANGRY."

    (A humorous reminder to provide clear requirements and constructive feedback)