Cline is an open-source coding agent for VS Code and the command line. For this review, we assessed providers, token accounting, context management, checkpoints, permissions, and pricing.
Cline (formerly Claude Dev) takes the opposite approach from subscription editors. Install a free VS Code extension, plug in your own API key from Anthropic, OpenAI, OpenRouter, or any supported provider, and the agent works through tasks autonomously. It reads files, proposes plans, edits code, runs terminal commands, and iterates, all with your explicit approval at each step.
The transparency is Cline’s defining characteristic. Every file read, every command execution, every edit is surfaced for your review before it happens. You’re never wondering what the agent did behind your back. For developers who want maximum control over what AI touches in their codebase, this matters.
Model flexibility is the other advantage. You choose which model handles each task. Use Claude Sonnet for complex reasoning. Use a cheaper model for simple completions. Use a local model for privacy-sensitive code. No other tool offers this level of provider control without a subscription layer on top.
The cost model is the part that requires honesty. Cline is free. Your API bill is not. Active daily use on Claude Sonnet commonly runs $5-30/day depending on project complexity and how many agentic cycles you trigger. A week of heavy refactoring can cost more than a month of Cursor Pro. A week of light use can cost less than a dollar. The variance is the feature and the risk. If you don’t monitor your API spend, there’s no cap to protect you.
Cline doesn’t offer inline autocomplete. It’s an agent, not a completion tool. For the Tab-complete experience, you need a separate tool alongside it. Many developers run Cline for autonomous tasks and Copilot or Cursor for moment-to-moment typing.
The previously listed Teams plan at $20/user/mo is no longer offered publicly. Enterprise pricing remains custom.
