cline/docs/introduction/overview.mdx

---
title: "Overview"
description: "An introduction to Cline, your AI-powered coding agent for modern development."
---

## Open Source AI Coding, Uncompromised

Cline gives you direct, transparent access to frontier AI with no limits, no surprises, and no model ecosystem lock-in. See every decision. Choose any model. Control your costs.

<CardGroup cols={1}>
  <Card title="Complete Transparency" icon="eye">
    Watch in real-time as Cline reads files, considers approaches, and proposes changes. Every decision is visible, every edit reviewable before it's made.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Choose Your Inference" icon="sliders">
    Use Claude for complex reasoning, Gemini for massive contexts, or Qwen3 Coder for efficiency. Switch instantly as new models launch. Bring your API keys, your choice.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Zero Trust by Design" icon="lock">
    Your code never touches our servers. Cline runs entirely client-side with your API keys. Open source means your security team can review every line.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Built for Real Engineering

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Read & Write Files" icon="file-code">
    Work across your entire codebase with intelligent file operations
  </Card>

  <Card title="Execute Commands" icon="terminal">
    Run terminal commands and debug errors in real-time
  </Card>

  <Card title="Plan Complex Features" icon="brain">
    Explore and plan before writing a single line of code
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect External Systems" icon="plug">
    Integrate with databases, APIs, and documentation through MCP servers
  </Card>

  <Card title="Understand Large Codebases" icon="magnifying-glass">
    Intelligent context management for massive projects
  </Card>

  <Card title="Multi-Step Tasks" icon="list-check">
    Execute complex workflows from start to finish
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Plan & Act Mode

Cline explores your codebase and works with you to create comprehensive plans before writing code, ensuring it understands the full context of your project.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Plan Mode" icon="lightbulb">
    For complex tasks, Cline explores your codebase, asks clarifying questions, and creates detailed implementation plans before making changes.

    - Information gathering and context building
    - Asking clarifying questions
    - Creating detailed execution plans
    - Discussing approaches with you
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Act Mode" icon="play">
    Once you approve the plan, Cline implements the solution with full transparency and control.

    - Executing planned actions
    - Using tools to modify files and run commands
    - Implementing the solution
    - Providing results and completion feedback
  </Tab>
</Tabs>


## Key Features

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Intelligent Planning & Execution" icon="brain">
    <div style={{ display: 'grid', gap: '1rem', marginTop: '0.5rem' }}>
      <div>
        <strong><a href="/features/plan-and-act">Plan & Act Mode</a></strong> • Plan complex features before writing code, then execute with full transparency
      </div>
      <div>
        <strong><a href="/features/focus-chain">Focus Chain</a></strong> • Automatic todo list management with real-time progress tracking
      </div>
    </div>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Workflow Optimization" icon="bolt">
    <div style={{ display: 'grid', gap: '1rem', marginTop: '0.5rem' }}>
      <div>
        <strong><a href="/features/auto-approve">Auto Approve</a></strong> • Streamline your workflow by automatically approving trusted operations
      </div>
      <div>
        <strong><a href="/features/auto-compact">Auto Compact</a></strong> • Automatic conversation summarization to preserve context while freeing space
      </div>
      <div>
        <strong><a href="/features/dictation">Dictation</a></strong> • Speak naturally to Cline for rapid planning and complex requirements
      </div>
    </div>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Extensions & Integrations" icon="plug">
    <div style={{ display: 'grid', gap: '1rem', marginTop: '0.5rem' }}>
      <div>
        <strong><a href="/mcp/mcp-overview">MCP Integration</a></strong> • Connect to databases, APIs, and documentation through the Model Context Protocol
      </div>
      <div>
        <strong><a href="/exploring-clines-tools/remote-browser-support">Remote Browser</a></strong> • Test and interact with web applications through browser automation
      </div>
    </div>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Customization & Control" icon="gear">
    <div style={{ display: 'grid', gap: '1rem', marginTop: '0.5rem' }}>
      <div>
        <strong><a href="/features/cline-rules">.clinerules</a></strong> • Define project-specific instructions including coding standards and patterns
      </div>
      <div>
        <strong><a href="/features/checkpoints">Checkpoints</a></strong> • Save and restore project states with Git-based checkpoints
      </div>
    </div>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Why Developers Choose Cline

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="100% Open Source" icon="github">
    Every line of code on GitHub. **50k+ stars** from developers who've used it, improved it, and trust it with their work.
  </Card>

  <Card title="No Inference Games" icon="ban">
    We don't profit from AI usage. While others limit context or route to cheaper models, we give you unrestricted access to any model's full capabilities.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Future-Proof by Design" icon="rocket">
    New model released? Use it immediately. Cline works with multiple AI providers.
  </Card>

  <Card title="True Visibility" icon="eye">
    See every file read, every decision considered, every token used. No black box, no surprises.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>