An agent inside VS Code that plans, edits and runs, asking before it acts. Built by Cline.
Others in coding agent
Aider
Claude CodeThe terminal agent, taught properly: the loop, the permissions, the files that make it behave.
Codex CLIThe coding agent, taught from the boundary in: what it may touch, and how you widen it.
CursorCommon questions
Is Cline free to use?
Cline is open source and free to run yourself. You still pay whichever model provider you point it at, and this tutorial is free with no signup.
Do I need to know Python to use Cline?
Basic Python is enough. Functions, dictionaries and imports cover most of what Cline asks of you.
When should I not use Cline?
When something else in coding agent fits the job better. The others in that group are listed below.
Lessons for Cline are being written. Meanwhile the APIs for AI tutorial covers the same ground: state, tools, loops, memory and human approval. Most of it carries straight over.
Start the APIs for AI tutorial →