How to Use Cline

Getting started with Cline

In this guide, you will learn how to set up Cline, an open-source autonomous coding agent for Visual Studio Code, and start automating your coding tasks effectively.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Visit the Cline website.
2. Click on the Get Started button, which will redirect you to the GitHub repository.
3. Follow the instructions in the repository to install the Cline extension in Visual Studio Code. This typically involves downloading the extension from the Visual Studio Code Marketplace.
4. Once installed, open Visual Studio Code and find Cline in the Extensions panel (click on the Extensions icon in the sidebar).
5. Click on Enable to activate the Cline extension.

Step 2: Your first coding task

1. Open a new or existing project in Visual Studio Code.
2. In the Command Palette (press Ctrl + Shift + P or Cmd + Shift + P on Mac), type Cline: Start Coding and select it.
3. You will be prompted to choose an AI provider. Select either OpenAI, Google Gemini, or a local model that you have set up.
4. Begin typing your coding request in the input box that appears. For example, type "Create a function to sort an array".
5. Press Enter, and Cline will generate the code based on your prompt. Review and modify the code as necessary.

Step 3: Get better results

1. Use clear and specific prompts. Instead of vague requests like "Help me with my code", specify the task: "Write a function to fetch data from an API".
2. Familiarise yourself with the Settings panel by clicking on the gear icon next to the extension in the Extensions panel. Here, you can adjust preferences for AI providers and response styles.
3. Explore the Cline Documentation available in the GitHub repository for advanced features and examples.

Pro tip

Set up keyboard shortcuts for frequently used Cline commands. Go to File > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts and search for Cline commands to streamline your workflow.

Common mistake to avoid

Avoid using overly complex or ambiguous prompts. This can lead to inaccurate or incomplete code generation. Stick to clear, concise requests to get the best results from Cline.