Cline VS Code AI Assistant Configuration

Next-generation AI programming assistant, implementing natural language programming in VS Code, supporting multi-file editing, autonomous operations and team collaboration

Getting Started

1. Install Extension

Search "Cline" in Extension Marketplace

2. Configure API

Set model and API key

3. Open Panel

Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + L

4. Start Conversation

Program with natural language

Core Features

🤖

AI-Driven Development

Intelligent code generation, refactoring and optimization

📝

Multi-file Editing

Create and edit multiple related files simultaneously

🧠

Context Awareness

Automatically understand project structure and code relationships

💬

Real-time Collaboration

Code like having a conversation with a colleague

⚡

Custom Commands

Create your own development commands and workflows

👥

Team Sharing

Unified AI programming experience for teams

Common Commands

/editEdit code
/createCreate file
/explainExplain code
/fixFix issues
/refactorRefactor code
/testGenerateTest
/docGenerateDocumentation
@fileReference file
@folderReference folder
@webReference webpage

ConfigureExample

Installation and Configuration

Install Cline in VS Code and configure API

# 1. Install Cline extension
# Method 1: VS Code Extension Marketplace
# Search for "Cline" or "Continue Dev" and install

# Method 2: Command line installation
code --install-extension cline.cline

# 2. First-time configuration wizard
# Configuration wizard will pop up automatically after installation
# Or press Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P and type "Cline: Setup"

# 3. Configuration file locations
# ~/.cline/config.json (global configuration)
# .cline/config.json (project configuration)

{
  "models": [
    {
      "title": "GPT-4o (Custom)",
      "provider": "openai",
      "model": "gpt-4o",
      "apiBase": "https://api.example.com/v1",
      "apiKey": "YOUR_API_KEY",
      "contextLength": 128000
    },
    {
      "title": "Claude 3.5 Sonnet",
      "provider": "anthropic",
      "model": "claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022",
      "apiBase": "https://api.example.com/v1",
      "apiKey": "YOUR_API_KEY",
      "contextLength": 200000
    }
  ],
  "defaultModel": "gpt-4o",
  "temperature": 0.7,
  "maxTokens": 4096
}

# 4. Verify configuration
# Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P → "Cline: Test API Connection"

Usage Tips

  • • Use @ symbol to reference files and folders, giving Cline more context
  • • Create custom commands and templates to improve development efficiency
  • • Configure team sharing rules to maintain code style consistency
  • • Utilize multi-file editing feature to complete complex refactoring tasks at once
  • • Regularly review and optimize conversation history to improve AI's understanding
  • • Combine with keyboard shortcuts to complete most operations without leaving the keyboard

Cline vs Other Tools

FeatureClineCopilotCursor
Multi-file Editing✅❌✅
Natural Language Conversation✅⚠️✅
VS Code Native✅✅❌
Custom API✅❌✅
Open Source & Free✅❌❌

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