# Cline

> Cline is a coding agent that edits files across your project, runs terminal commands and reacts to test or build failures, asking for approval before each step unless you turn on auto-approve. It ships as a VS Code extension, a JetBrains plugin, an npm CLI with a headless mode for CI, and a desktop app for macOS and Windows (Windows in beta). It supports MCP servers, rules and skills, multi-agent teams and scheduled agents. Use your own model keys or local models. Apache-2.0, except the JetBrains plugin, which is not open source.

- Repository: https://github.com/cline/cline
- Official docs: https://docs.cline.bot
- Checked: 2026-10-21

## What it replaces
- Claude Code: Edit code across a repo from the terminal with an AI agent, Run commands and tests, Use the agent inside VS Code or JetBrains, Connect tools and data through MCP, Write commits and pull requests, Run the agent headless in scripts or CI (GitHub Actions) (partial). Covers terminal, IDE, MCP and headless CI (with GitHub Actions samples); branches and pull requests are documented for Cloud Agents rather than local sessions.
  - Use it instead of paying for Claude Code? Personal use: Yes. Business: Yes.
- Cursor: Let an agent plan and edit across many files, Run terminal commands and tests from the agent, Connect tools and data through MCP, Run agents in the cloud in the background (partial). Agent runs inside VS Code or JetBrains rather than its own editor; no tab autocomplete; Cloud Agents need a Cline account.
  - Use it instead of paying for Cursor? Personal use: Yes. Business: Yes.

## Facts, with sources

| Question | Status | Answer | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs on my machine? | Confirmed | Yes, in your editor, terminal or desktop app; optional Cloud Agents run in Cline's hosted sandbox | https://github.com/cline/cline#readme | 2026-10-21 |
| Code licence | Confirmed | Apache-2.0 for the repo; the JetBrains plugin is not open source | https://github.com/cline/cline#license | 2026-10-21 |
| Model weights licence | Confirmed | No separate model weights | https://github.com/cline/cline#readme | 2026-10-21 |
| Commercial use | Confirmed | Allowed under Apache-2.0 | https://github.com/cline/cline/blob/main/LICENSE | 2026-10-21 |
| Paid services needed? | Partial | Not required with local models (Ollama, LM Studio) or your own keys; Cline Provider, ClinePass and Cloud Agents are optional | https://docs.cline.bot/running-models-locally/overview | 2026-10-21 |
| Hardware | Unknown | No requirements documented for Cline itself (checked 2026-10-21); local models need much more | none found | - |
| Operating systems | Partial | Desktop app for macOS and Windows (Windows in beta); the extension runs in VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, VSCodium and JetBrains IDEs, and the CLI needs Node.js 20+; Linux is not named in the install docs | https://docs.cline.bot/getting-started/installing-cline | 2026-10-21 |
| Setup effort | Confirmed | Easy; install from the VS Code or JetBrains marketplace, or npm install -g cline, then add a provider key or local model | https://docs.cline.bot/getting-started/installing-cline | 2026-10-21 |

GitHub: 70739 stars, 7721 forks, last push 2026-10-22, archived: no.
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Source: RepoQuarry (https://repoquarry.dev/projects/cline). Data licence: CC BY 4.0. Quotes are from project documentation and belong to their authors.