Open-source autonomous VS Code agent that reads, writes, and executes code with any model
Cline (formerly Claude Dev) is an open-source VS Code extension that provides a fully autonomous coding agent directly inside the editor. Using any AI model via API (Claude, GPT-4o, Gemini, local models), Cline can read and write files, run terminal commands, browse the web, and use browser automation to complete complex coding tasks — with human confirmation on each action in a transparent, auditable workflow.
Cline is a strong fit if its core strengths match your workflow, budget, and support needs. Use the quick signals below before opening the full review.
Cline brings Devin-like autonomous coding capability into VS Code as a free, open-source extension. Where Devin is a fully autonomous commercial service at $500/month, Cline is a transparent, human-confirmed agentic tool that gives developers control over every action while enabling the same class of multi-step autonomous task execution.
Cline displays every proposed action before executing it: 'I will write this to src/auth/oauth.ts' — approve or reject. 'I will run npm install passport-google-oauth20' — approve or reject. This confirmation model makes autonomous coding auditable and correctable at each step, preventing the runaway action sequences that fully autonomous agents occasionally produce. Developers who want autonomous assistance with maintained oversight find this model more comfortable than fully hands-off agents.
Cline's cost is entirely the underlying model API cost — no Cline subscription. Using Claude 3.5 Sonnet at standard API rates, a moderately complex feature implementation might cost $0.50–$2.00 in API calls. For developers who would otherwise pay $20/month for Cursor or $10/month for Copilot, the BYOK model with selective agentic use often results in lower total cost for high-leverage tasks.
Cline's browser automation capability allows it to interact with web applications directly — navigating to a URL, clicking elements, filling forms, and reading page content. This enables testing flows against a running application, scraping reference data, and verifying that implemented changes produce correct browser-visible results.
Score: 7.5/10 — Best free open-source VS Code coding agent; API cost accumulation and VS Code exclusivity are the practical limitations.
Free
Free billed annually
Cline is best for VS Code developers who want Devin-like autonomous coding capability without a $500/month platform subscription, Developers who want full transparency over every AI action — explicit confirmation before each file write or terminal command, Teams experimenting with agentic AI coding who want an open-source, customisable framework rather than a commercial black box.
Yes. Cline currently lists a free plan in ToolRankr data.
It has a free plan.
Cline is reviewed using ToolRankr's scoring model for ease of use, value, features, support, and overall quality. Affiliate links may earn a commission, but sponsored labels do not change editorial scoring.
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