0adccbdb70
* docs: match the CLI reference to CLI 3.0.68 The CLI reference and the pages that repeat it had drifted from the CLI. They named a `dev` command that no longer exists, swapped the --config and --data-dir defaults, described `connect` as an IDE adapter, said --thinking defaults to medium, and showed a JSON output shape (say/ask messages) that the CLI never prints. The documented `jq -r .text` example prints only nulls. Replace the pasted help with the 3.0.68 output and document what it lists: --compaction, --worktree, --update, --kanban, `skill`, `dashboard`, the `auth` options, `config <target>`, `connect --stop` and `--restart`, `mcp add`/`remove`, the `history` subcommands and options, and the `hub` subcommands including `drain` and `upgrade`. Rewrite the JSON section around the agent_event and run_result lines, with a jq filter that prints the final answer. Note that -k also saves the key, drop the `-i` image example (-i opens the TUI), and use the Cline provider's model id in the API auth example. Co-authored-by: Harshil Mistry <125483347+harshil-mistry@users.noreply.github.com> Co-authored-by: MarMar Labs <marmar9615@icloud.com> * docs: correct CLI defaults and JSON notes from review --retries defaults to 3, not the 6 that `cline --help` prints; note the discrepancy under the pasted help. Without --thinking, Cline uses the reasoning level saved from the TUI before the provider's default. Drop --page, which the CLI accepts but ignores. Say that a --timeout stops the run without a run_aborted line, and that scripts should skip line types they don't use. Use Claude Sonnet 5.5 in the auth examples, and say "in your terminal" where the pages described commands that need one. * fix(cli): make --help match what the CLI does `cline --help` said --retries defaults to 6, but runs use 3. The help now reads the same CLI_DEFAULT_MAX_CONSECUTIVE_MISTAKES constant that main.ts passes to the session, and a test ties the two together. --thinking now says that, without the flag, the CLI uses the level saved in the TUI before the provider default. -k says the key is also saved as the provider's key. `history --page` is hidden from help: the CLI never reads it, but it stays accepted so existing scripts keep working. The CLI reference shows the corrected help and no longer notes the wrong --retries default. The CLI README's -k and --thinking rows match. * fix(cli): name /model in the --thinking help Readers don't know what "the TUI" is. The level --thinking falls back to is the one chosen in the model picker, which users open with /model, so the help, the CLI reference, the overview and the README now say that. * fix(cli): warn that cline history --page is ignored cline history lists the newest sessions up to --limit and has never read --page. The option stays accepted so existing scripts keep working, but it now prints a deprecation notice to stderr. The terminal tests that expected --page in help, or ran it as if it selected a page, are removed. * fix(cli): say hub upgrade does not wait for --zen tasks cline hub upgrade waits only until no client is attached. A --zen run detaches once the hub accepts it, and scheduled runs never attach, so the upgrade can stop both mid-run. The help text and the hub command lists in the docs now say so. * docs: drop dashboard from the root help listing cline --help no longer lists dashboard; it is cline hub dashboard. * fix(cli): require a count for --retries; fix connect --restart example --retries was declared with an optional value, so a bare --retries set it to true and the CLI crashed calling .trim() on it. The option now requires a count, and a bare --retries fails with commander's "argument missing" error. cline connect passes options after the channel to the channel's connector, so "cline connect telegram --restart" never reached connect. The examples now put --stop and --restart before the channel, and the reference says why. * docs: scope the JSON line format to agent runs The JSON section read as the format of every --json, but only agent runs print typed lines. cline history --json prints one array, and each cline config target prints its own shape. The heading and both pages now say the line format is for tasks, and name the others. --------- Co-authored-by: Dominic Cooney <55120+dominiccooney@users.noreply.github.com> Co-authored-by: Harshil Mistry <125483347+harshil-mistry@users.noreply.github.com> Co-authored-by: MarMar Labs <marmar9615@icloud.com>
Cline
The open source coding agent in your IDE, terminal, & desktop.
CLIRun Cline in your terminal. Interactive chat or fully headless for CI/CD and scripting. |
Desktop AppCline as a native app for macOS and Windows. Run agent sessions in any folder, schedule routines, and manage models, plugins, and MCP servers. |
VS Code ExtensionAI coding assistant in your editor. Create files, run commands, browse the web, and use tools with human-in-the-loop approval. |
JetBrains PluginThe same Cline experience in IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, GoLand, and the rest of the JetBrains family. |
SDKBuild your own AI agents and integrations powered by the same engine that runs the CLI, desktop app, VS Code extension, and JetBrains plugin. Custom tools, multi-agent teams, connectors, scheduled automations, and more. |
Index
| Product | Description | Location | CHANGELOG |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDK | Node.js programmatic agent API and extension exports. | sdk/ |
CHANGELOG.md |
| CLI | Terminal UI, headless mode, shell commands, and CLI-specific flows. | apps/cli/ |
CHANGELOG.md |
| VS Code Extension | The Marketplace extension and extension host integration. | / (WIP migrating) |
CHANGELOG.md |
| Desktop App | Native macOS and Windows app (Tauri shell, Bun sidecar, Next.js UI). | apps/examples/desktop-app/ |
CHANGELOG.md |
| JetBrains Plugin | JetBrains-hosted client that talks to the shared agent core. | Currently we are not open-sourcing JetBrains plugins | - |
| Docs site | Public documentation pages. | docs/ |
- |
Edits Code Across Your Project
Cline reads your project structure, understands the relationships between files, and makes coordinated changes across your codebase. It monitors linter and compiler errors as it works, fixing issues like missing imports, type mismatches, and syntax errors before you even see them. In VS Code and JetBrains, every edit shows up as a diff you can review, modify, or revert. All changes are tracked with checkpoints, so you can easily undo the agent's work.
Runs Bash Commands
Cline executes commands directly in your terminal and watches the output in real time. Install packages, run build scripts, execute tests, deploy applications, manage databases. For long-running processes like dev servers, Cline continues working in the background and reacts to new output as it appears, catching compile errors, test failures, and server crashes as they happen.
Plan and Act
Toggle between Plan mode and Act mode. In Plan mode, Cline explores your codebase, asks clarifying questions, and lays out a strategy. Once you're aligned, switch to Act mode and Cline executes the plan. Every file edit and terminal command requires your approval, so you stay in control of what actually changes. Or toggle auto-approve and let Cline run autonomously.
Rules and Skills
Define project-specific rules in .clinerules files that guide how Cline works in your codebase: coding standards, architecture conventions, deployment procedures, testing requirements. Rules are picked up automatically by the CLI, VS Code extension, and JetBrains plugin. Use skills to let the model load specific rules when needed.
Works With Every Model
Cline is not locked to a single AI provider. Use whichever model fits your workflow:
| Provider | Models |
|---|---|
| Anthropic | Claude Opus, Sonnet, Haiku |
| OpenAI | GPT series models |
| Gemini series models | |
| OpenRouter | 200+ models from any provider |
| Vercel AI Gateway | Route to many providers through one gateway |
| AWS Bedrock | Claude, Llama, and more |
| Azure / GCP Vertex | All hosted models |
| Cerebras / Groq | Fast inference models |
| Ollama / LM Studio | Run local models on your machine |
| Any OpenAI-compatible API | Self-hosted or third-party endpoints |
Extend With Plugins or MCP Servers
Extend Cline's capabilities with plugins. Using the SDK, register tools and lifecycle hooks programmatically through the plugin system for logging, auditing, policy enforcement, or adding domain-specific capabilities. Simple plugin example below.
import { Agent, createTool } from "@cline/sdk"
const deployTool = createTool({
name: "deploy",
description: "Deploy the current branch to staging.",
inputSchema: { type: "object", properties: { env: { type: "string" } }, required: ["env"] },
execute: async (input) => {
// your deployment logic
},
})
const agent = new Agent({ tools: [deployTool], /* ... */ })
...or use MCPs to connect to databases, query APIs, manage cloud infrastructure, and interact with external systems. Use community-built servers or ask Cline to create custom tools on the fly. In the CLI, manage servers with cline mcp.
Multi-Agent Teams
Coordinate multiple agents working together on complex tasks. A coordinator agent breaks the work into subtasks and delegates to specialist agents, each with their own tools and context. Team state persists across sessions so you can pick up where you left off.
cline --team-name auth-sprint "Plan and implement user authentication with tests"
Scheduled Agents
Run agents on cron schedules for recurring automations. Daily PR summaries, weekly dependency checks, codebase health reports. Schedules persist across restarts and run independently of any terminal session.
cline schedule create "PR summary" \
--cron "0 9 * * MON-FRI" \
--prompt "List all open PRs and their review status" \
--workspace /path/to/repo
Connect to Slack, Telegram, Discord, and More
Chat with your agent from any messaging platform: Telegram, Slack, Discord, Google Chat, WhatsApp, and Linear. Each conversation thread maps to an agent session with full context. Set up access control to restrict who can interact with your agent.
# Connect to Telegram
cline connect telegram -k $BOT_TOKEN
# Connect to Slack through webhook
cline connect slack --bot-token $SLACK_TOKEN --signing-secret $SECRET --base-url $URL
# Connect to Slack using socket mode
cline connect slack --bot-token $SLACK_TOKEN --app-token $SLACK_APP_TOKEN
Headless CLI for CI/CD
Run Cline with zero interaction for scripting and automation. Pipe input, get JSON output, chain commands, integrate into CI/CD pipelines.
cline "Run tests and fix any failures"
git diff origin/main | cline "Review these changes for issues"
cline --json "List all TODO comments" | jq -r 'select(.type == "agent_event" and .event.text) | .event.text'
Contributing
Start with the Contributing Guide. Join our Discord and head to the #contributors channel to connect with other contributors. Check our careers page for full-time roles.