Cline calls itself the open coding agent. It is an Apache 2.0 open-source project that runs as an extension in VS Code, in JetBrains IDEs (listed as early access), and in other editors such as Cursor and Zed, and it also comes as a CLI and a desktop app. Its docs describe it as an AI coding agent that lives in your editor and your terminal.
Two things define it. First, it works with the model provider you choose, including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, AWS Bedrock, Azure, Ollama, OpenRouter, and any OpenAI-compatible API, so you are not tied to one lab. Second, it is built around a plan-then-act flow: you toggle Plan mode to agree on a strategy, then Act mode to execute, with multi-file edits, checkpoints and undo, bash command execution, and MCP for extending what it can reach.
Pricing is worth understanding before you start, because there is no single price. The docs list three ways to use it: Cline’s own usage-based billing (with some free model options), a flat $9.99 per month ClinePass subscription, or bringing your own provider key, in which case you pay that provider directly. That flexibility is the appeal, but it also means you choose and watch your own costs.
Verdict: a strong fit if you want an open agent inside the editor you already use and full control over which model it talks to. If you would rather have AI built into the editor itself, compare Cursor, and see the best AI coding tools guide for the wider field.
Sources: Cline’s website and documentation, checked on September 20, 2026.
