> ## 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.

# CLI Overview

> Use Cline CLI for interactive terminal sessions and automated headless workflows.

## Prerequisites

* Cline CLI installed (install via `npm i -g cline`)
* Provider authenticated (`cline auth`) ([Authorization Guide](/getting-started/authorizing-with-cline#cli-setup))

## Quick Start

```bash theme={"system"}
# Interactive session
cline

# Run one task immediately
cline "refactor this module to use async/await"

# Structured output for scripts
cline --json "list TODO comments"
```

## Headless mode

Use headless mode for scripts/automation and processable output.

Headless is triggered when using flags like `--json`, when stdin is piped, or when output is redirected.

#### When headless activates

| Invocation                  | Reason               |
| --------------------------- | -------------------- |
| `cline --json "task"`       | JSON output mode     |
| `cat file \| cline "task"`  | stdin is piped       |
| `cline "task" > output.txt` | stdout is redirected |

```bash theme={"system"}
# CI/script style execution
git diff | cline "review these changes"

# JSON for parsing
cline --json "summarize this changelog" | jq -r '.text'
```

See: [Headless Mode](#headless-mode)

### Autonomous execution

For fully unattended runs, use auto-approval:

```bash theme={"system"}
cline --auto-approve true "run tests and fix failures"
```

Mode selection also works in headless runs:

```bash theme={"system"}
# plan-first
cline -p "design migration plan"

# act immediately (default)
cline "apply migration"
```

<Warning>
  Autonomous execution can modify files and run commands without further prompts. Use a clean branch and review results.
</Warning>

## High-Value Commands

```bash theme={"system"}
cline --help
cline <command> --help
```

| Command          | Purpose                                |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| `cline`          | Start interactive mode or run a prompt |
| `cline auth`     | Authenticate and set provider/model    |
| `cline config`   | Open the interactive config view       |
| `cline mcp`      | Manage MCP servers                     |
| `cline doctor`   | Diagnose/fix configuration issues      |
| `cline history`  | Show and manage task history           |
| `cline schedule` | Manage scheduled tasks                 |
| `cline hub`      | Manage local hub daemon                |
| `cline kanban`   | Launch Kanban app                      |

## Most-Used Global Flags

Source of truth: [CLI Reference](/cli/cli-reference)

| Flag                       | Purpose                                                                   |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `-p, --plan`               | Start in Plan mode                                                        |
| `--auto-approve <boolean>` | Global tool auto-approval (`true`/`false`, default `true`)                |
| `-m, --model <model>`      | Override model for this run                                               |
| `-P, --provider <id>`      | Override provider for this run                                            |
| `-c, --cwd <path>`         | Set working directory                                                     |
| `--config <dir>`           | Use config directory                                                      |
| `--data-dir <dir>`         | Use isolated local state                                                  |
| `--json`                   | Output newline-delimited JSON messages                                    |
| `--thinking <level>`       | Set reasoning effort: `none\|low\|medium\|high\|xhigh` (default `medium`) |
| `-t, --timeout <seconds>`  | Set task timeout                                                          |

## Automation Patterns

### Pipe context in

```bash theme={"system"}
cat README.md | cline "summarize key setup steps"
git diff | cline "review for potential regressions"
```

### Chain tasks

```bash theme={"system"}
git diff | cline "explain these changes" | cline "write a commit message"
```

### Restrict command execution

```bash theme={"system"}
export CLINE_COMMAND_PERMISSIONS='{"allow": ["npm *", "git *"], "deny": ["rm -rf *", "sudo *"]}'
```

### Include images in tasks

```bash theme={"system"}
cline -i "fix the layout issue shown in @./screenshot.png"

# or reference inline
cline "fix the UI shown in @./design-mockup.png"
```

### Set execution timeout

```bash theme={"system"}
cline --timeout 600 "run full test suite"
```

## JSON Output Schema

When using `--json`, each line is a JSON message object.

```json theme={"system"}
{"type":"say","text":"I'll create the file now.","ts":1760501486669,"say":"text"}
```

| Field       | Type               | Description                    |
| ----------- | ------------------ | ------------------------------ |
| `type`      | `"ask"` or `"say"` | Message category               |
| `text`      | `string`           | Message content                |
| `ts`        | `number`           | Unix timestamp in milliseconds |
| `say`       | `string`           | Subtype when `type` is `"say"` |
| `ask`       | `string`           | Subtype when `type` is `"ask"` |
| `reasoning` | `string`           | Optional model reasoning       |
| `partial`   | `boolean`          | Streaming flag                 |

## Next Steps

* [CLI Reference](/cli/cli-reference)