> ## 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.

# ACP

> Use Cline as the coding agent in Zed, JetBrains IDEs, Neovim, Emacs, and any other ACP-capable client.

Cline CLI speaks the [Agent Client Protocol (ACP)](https://agentclientprotocol.com), an open standard that lets editors and other tools drive terminal-based coding agents. Any ACP-capable client can use Cline as its coding agent without a dedicated extension — the same agent you use in the terminal, embedded in the tool you're already working in.

## Prerequisites

* Cline CLI installed (install via `npm i -g cline`)
* Credentials are optional up front — most clients let you sign in when the first session starts, and credentials saved by `cline auth` are reused automatically

## How it works

ACP mode is started with the `--acp` flag:

```bash theme={"system"}
cline --acp
```

You don't run this yourself — the client launches the command and talks to Cline over stdio. Configure the client to run it, then start a thread from its agent UI.

<Tip>
  If a client can't spawn the agent, it may not inherit your shell's `PATH`. Use the absolute path from `which cline` as the command.
</Tip>

## Clients

ACP is supported by a growing ecosystem of editors, IDEs, and other tools. Setup for the most popular clients is below; the [ACP client directory](https://agentclientprotocol.com/get-started/clients) maintains the full list.

### Zed

Add Cline as a custom agent in Zed's `settings.json`:

```json theme={"system"}
{
  "agent_servers": {
    "Cline": {
      "type": "custom",
      "command": "cline",
      "args": ["--acp"],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}
```

Open the Agent Panel, start a new thread, and select **Cline**.

### JetBrains IDEs

AI Assistant in JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, and others) supports [ACP agents](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ai-assistant/acp.html). In the AI Chat tool window, select **Add Custom Agent** — this creates `~/.jetbrains/acp.json` — then add Cline:

```json theme={"system"}
{
  "agent_servers": {
    "Cline": {
      "command": "cline",
      "args": ["--acp"],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}
```

Cline then appears in the AI Chat agent selector.

### Neovim

The [CodeCompanion](https://codecompanion.olimorris.dev/configuration/adapters-acp) plugin ships a built-in `cline_cli` ACP adapter that runs `cline --acp`. Set it as your chat adapter:

```lua theme={"system"}
require("codecompanion").setup({
  strategies = {
    chat = { adapter = "cline_cli" },
  },
})
```

Other Neovim ACP clients, such as [avante.nvim](https://github.com/yetone/avante.nvim) and [agentic.nvim](https://github.com/carlos-algms/agentic.nvim), can also launch Cline via `cline --acp`.

### Emacs

[agent-shell](https://github.com/xenodium/agent-shell) drives ACP agents from a native Emacs buffer. Configure a custom agent that runs `cline --acp` per the agent-shell docs.

### Other clients

Anything that speaks ACP can run Cline the same way — point it at `cline --acp`. The [client directory](https://agentclientprotocol.com/get-started/clients) includes note-taking apps like Obsidian, notebooks like marimo, mobile clients, and chat bridges for Slack, Discord, and Telegram.

## What works over ACP

* **Sign-in from the client** — if no credentials are found, the client prompts you to sign in with Cline, ClinePass, or a ChatGPT subscription. Credentials saved by `cline auth` are reused automatically.
* **Plan/Act modes** — switch between [Plan and Act](/core-workflows/plan-and-act) from the client's mode selector.
* **Model and provider selection** — pick any model from the active provider's catalog, or switch providers, from the client's model picker.
* **Permission prompts** — file edits and commands are approved through the client's permission UI; nothing is auto-approved.
* **Session resume** — conversations are persisted, so clients that support session loading can restore a thread after a restart.
* **Images** — prompts can include images for vision-capable models.
* **Organization switching** — Cline team accounts can switch between personal and organization billing.

## Environment variables

Set these under `env` in the client's agent server config to preconfigure the agent:

| Variable         | Effect                                                       |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `CLINE_API_KEY`  | Authenticate with an API key instead of interactive sign-in  |
| `CLINE_PROVIDER` | Pin the provider (disables provider switching in the client) |
| `CLINE_MODEL`    | Default model for new sessions                               |

## Next Steps

* [CLI Overview](/usage/cli-overview)
* [CLI Reference](/cli/cli-reference)