How to Install Cline, the Autonomous Coding Agent, in VS Code

Install Cline, connect a model, and run your first agent task that reads and edits files with your approval.

9 minIntermediate

Visit Cline

Cline is an AI agent that lives in VS Code and can plan a task, read your files, run terminal commands, and edit code, asking for your approval at each step. It is more autonomous than a chat assistant. This guide installs Cline, connects it to a model, and runs a first safe task.

What you need

VS Code installed
An API key from a model provider, or a local model via Ollama
A project folder open in VS Code
About 8 minutes

Step 1: Install Cline

Open the Extensions view and search for Cline. Install the extension, then click its robot icon in the Activity Bar to open the agent panel.

VS Code - Extensions view

EXTENSIONS [ cline ]

----------------------------------------

Cline Cline Install

Autonomous coding agent in your editor

Cline in the Marketplace results.

Step 2: Connect a model

On first open, Cline asks you to choose an API provider and paste a key. Pick your provider from the dropdown, select a capable model, and paste your key. Cline stores it in VS Code's secret storage, not in a plain file.

VS Code - Cline setup

API Provider: Anthropic v

Model: claude-sonnet-4-5 v

API Key: [ sk-ant-... ]

[ Let's go ]

Choosing a provider and model on first launch.

Step 3: Give it a task

Type a task in plain language, such as add a README with setup instructions for this project. Cline plans the steps, then shows you each file read, each edit, and each command before it runs. Nothing happens without your approval unless you turn on auto-approve.

VS Code - Cline task

You

Add a README with setup instructions for this project

Agent

I will read package.json to understand the project, then create README.md. Approve reading package.json?

Cline proposes an action and waits for approval.

Review before approving

Cline can run shell commands and edit files. Read each proposed action before clicking Approve, especially anything that deletes files, installs packages, or pushes to git. Auto-approve is convenient but removes that safety check.

Step 4: Review the diff and complete

When Cline edits a file it shows a diff. Click Save to accept or Reject to discard. Once the task finishes, the new or changed files are in your workspace, ready for you to test and commit.

README.md (created by Cline)

# My Project

## Setup

1. Install dependencies: npm install
2. Start the dev server: npm run dev
3. Open http://localhost:3000

Result

Cline is installed, connected to a model, and has completed a task with your approval at each step. You now have an agent that can take on multi-step work while you stay in control of every change.