Review of Cline
Cline is an open-source AI coding agent that integrates directly into VS Code. It can create and edit files, run terminal commands, browse the web, and interact with MCP tools. Used by over 5 million developers, Cline offers a Plan/Act mode for planning and executing complex tasks autonomously and transparently. It's compatible with all major AI providers (Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini, DeepSeek…) and supports the BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) model.
Cline: L'agent de coding IA open source le plus populaire pour VS Code.
Best for
- VS Code developers looking for an agentic copilot
- Teams adopting an AI-first development approach
- Engineers looking to automate repetitive tasks
- Builders leveraging MCP protocols for their workflows
Not ideal for
- Developers not using VS Code
- Beginners without programming foundations
- Teams with very limited API budgets
- Projects requiring a SaaS solution without configuration
Pros & cons
- ✅ Open source trusted by 5M+ developers worldwide
- ✅ Plan/Act modes for controlled autonomy at every step
- ✅ Compatible with all major LLMs (Claude, GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek…)
- ✅ MCP Marketplace integration to extend agent capabilities
- ✅ Real-time access to terminal, browser, and file system
- ✅ Full transparency on API costs with BYOK
- ⚠️ Requires VS Code as environment (no standalone app)
- ⚠️ LLM API costs can be high depending on the model chosen
- ⚠️ Learning curve to master MCP workflows
- ⚠️ Agent autonomy may require regular supervision
Our verdict
Cline stands out as one of the most advanced and widely adopted AI coding agents in the open-source market. With over 5 million developers, it benefits from a strong community and rapid evolution. Its Plan/Act architecture allows delegating complex tasks to the agent while maintaining precise control at every step. Compatibility with all major LLM providers and the BYOK model offer maximum pricing flexibility. The MCP Marketplace integration turns Cline into a truly extensible platform capable of interacting with third-party services. Its main limitations are its dependency on VS Code and API costs that can rise quickly with premium models. For serious teams and developers looking to adopt an AI-first workflow, Cline is an essential reference choice.
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FAQ
Is Cline free?
Yes, Cline is a free open-source tool. You only need an API key from an LLM provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini…). Some models like Gemini Flash are available for free.
What is the difference between Plan and Act modes?
Plan mode lets Cline think and propose a strategy before acting. Act mode directly executes actions. You can switch between the two depending on the level of supervision you want.
Does Cline only work with VS Code?
Cline is a VS Code extension. There is no standalone application. It works in all VS Code-based editors, including Cursor and some forks.
What is the Cline MCP Marketplace?
The MCP Marketplace is an integrated marketplace for installing MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers that extend Cline's capabilities: database access, web tools, third-party APIs, and more.
Is Cline secure for professional code?
Cline only sends your code to the LLM provider you configured. By using on-premise or local models, you can keep code completely private. All actions are always subject to your approval.