Cline Configuration

Cline is a powerful VSCode extension that combines AI assistance with terminal integration, autonomous task execution, and advanced context awareness. Configure it to use MegaLLM for access to multiple AI models.

Quick Configuration

Anthropic Format (Claude)
OpenAI Format (GPT)
Environment Variables

Configure for Claude Models

Open Cline Settings

Press Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P
Type: Cline: Open Settings
Or: Settings → Extensions → Cline

Select API Provider

API Provider: Select Anthropic
Base URL: https://ai.megallm.io
API Key: sk-mega-your-api-key-here

Choose Claude Model

Default Model: claude-sonnet-4
Context Window: 200000 tokens
Temperature: 0.5

Enable Features

Auto Context Detection
File Watcher
Terminal Integration
Git Integration

Configuration in settings.json:

{
  "cline.apiProvider": "anthropic",
  "cline.anthropic": {
    "apiKey": "sk-mega-your-api-key-here",
    "baseURL": "https://ai.megallm.io"
  },
  "cline.defaultModel": "claude-sonnet-4",
  "cline.contextWindow": 200000,
  "cline.features": {
    "autoContext": true,
    "fileWatcher": true,
    "terminalIntegration": true,
    "gitIntegration": true
  }
}

Note: For Anthropic format, baseURL should be https://ai.megallm.io (without /v1)

Configure for GPT Models

Open Cline Settings

Press Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P
Type: Cline: Open Settings

Select OpenAI Provider

API Provider: Select OpenAI
Base URL: https://ai.megallm.io/v1
API Key: sk-mega-your-api-key-here

Choose GPT Model

Default Model: gpt-5
Context Window: 128000 tokens
Temperature: 0.7

Enable Features

Auto Context Detection
File Watcher
Terminal Integration

Configuration in settings.json:

{
  "cline.apiProvider": "openai",
  "cline.openai": {
    "apiKey": "sk-mega-your-api-key-here",
    "baseURL": "https://ai.megallm.io/v1"
  },
  "cline.defaultModel": "gpt-5",
  "cline.contextWindow": 128000,
  "cline.features": {
    "autoContext": true,
    "fileWatcher": true,
    "terminalIntegration": true
  }
}

Note: For OpenAI format, baseURL should include /v1: https://ai.megallm.io/v1

Secure Configuration

Step 1: Set environment variables

# Add to ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, or ~/.config/fish/config.fish
export MEGALLM_API_KEY="sk-mega-your-api-key-here"

# For Claude models
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://ai.megallm.io"

# For GPT models
export OPENAI_BASE_URL="https://ai.megallm.io/v1"

Step 2: Reload shell

source ~/.bashrc  # or ~/.zshrc

Step 3: Reference in settings.json

{
  "cline.apiProvider": "anthropic",
  "cline.anthropic": {
    "apiKey": "${env:MEGALLM_API_KEY}",
    "baseURL": "${env:ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL}"
  },
  "cline.defaultModel": "claude-sonnet-4"
}

API key stays secure and out of version control

Scenario Examples

Scenario 1: First-Time Installation

Complete setup from scratch:

Install Cline Extension

Open VSCode
Go to Extensions: Ctrl+Shift+X / Cmd+Shift+X
Search: Cline
Click Install
Reload VSCode if prompted

Get MegaLLM API Key

Visit MegaLLM Dashboard
Navigate to API Keys section
Click Create New Key
Copy the key (starts with sk-mega-)

Configure Cline

Open Command Palette and run: Cline: Open SettingsChoose your preferred format:For Claude Models:

{
  "cline.apiProvider": "anthropic",
  "cline.anthropic": {
    "apiKey": "sk-mega-your-actual-key",
    "baseURL": "https://ai.megallm.io"
  },
  "cline.defaultModel": "claude-sonnet-4"
}

For GPT Models:

{
  "cline.apiProvider": "openai",
  "cline.openai": {
    "apiKey": "sk-mega-your-actual-key",
    "baseURL": "https://ai.megallm.io/v1"
  },
  "cline.defaultModel": "gpt-5"
}

Open Cline Panel

Click Cline icon in left sidebar
Or: Ctrl+Shift+P → Cline: Open
Should see connection status: ✓ Connected

Test Configuration

In Cline chat, type:

What model are you using? Write a hello world function in Python.

Expected Response:

I'm using claude-sonnet-4 via MegaLLM.

def hello_world():
    print("Hello, World!")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    hello_world()

Scenario 2: Autonomous Task Execution

Use Cline for complex, multi-step tasks: Scenario: “Refactor the authentication module to use JWT tokens”

Configure for Autonomous Mode

{
  "cline.apiProvider": "anthropic",
  "cline.anthropic": {
    "apiKey": "${env:MEGALLM_API_KEY}",
    "baseURL": "https://ai.megallm.io"
  },
  "cline.defaultModel": "claude-opus-4-1-20250805",
  "cline.autonomousMode": {
    "enabled": true,
    "requireApproval": "perFile",
    "maxIterations": 10
  },
  "cline.features": {
    "terminalIntegration": true,
    "gitIntegration": true,
    "fileWatcher": true
  }
}

Give Task to Cline

Open Cline panel and provide detailed instructions:

Task: Refactor authentication to use JWT

Requirements:
1. Install jsonwebtoken package
2. Update login endpoint to generate JWT
3. Create middleware to verify JWT
4. Update protected routes
5. Write tests for new auth flow
6. Update documentation

Current auth is in: src/auth/

Cline Executes Autonomously

Cline will:

Analyze current auth code
Run: npm install jsonwebtoken
Create new JWT utilities
Update login controller
Create middleware
Update routes
Generate tests
Update docs

You approve each file change before it’s written

Review and Commit

# Cline can execute git commands
git add .
git commit -m "Refactor: Implement JWT authentication"

Result: Complete authentication refactor with minimal manual work!

Scenario 3: Project-Specific Cline Configuration

Different projects need different Cline setups: Python Data Analysis Project: .vscode/settings.json:

{
  "cline.apiProvider": "anthropic",
  "cline.anthropic": {
    "apiKey": "${env:MEGALLM_API_KEY}",
    "baseURL": "https://ai.megallm.io"
  },
  "cline.defaultModel": "claude-opus-4-1-20250805",
  "cline.context": {
    "language": "python",
    "frameworks": ["pandas", "numpy", "matplotlib"],
    "codeStyle": "pep8"
  },
  "cline.customPrompts": {
    "analyze": "Analyze this data processing code for efficiency",
    "visualize": "Suggest matplotlib visualization",
    "optimize": "Optimize pandas operations for large datasets"
  }
}

React/TypeScript Web App: .vscode/settings.json:

{
  "cline.apiProvider": "openai",
  "cline.openai": {
    "apiKey": "${env:MEGALLM_API_KEY}",
    "baseURL": "https://ai.megallm.io/v1"
  },
  "cline.defaultModel": "gpt-5",
  "cline.context": {
    "language": "typescript",
    "frameworks": ["react", "next.js", "tailwind"],
    "codeStyle": "airbnb"
  },
  "cline.customPrompts": {
    "component": "Create React component with TypeScript",
    "api": "Generate API route with error handling",
    "test": "Write React Testing Library tests"
  }
}

Rust Systems Project: .vscode/settings.json:

{
  "cline.apiProvider": "openai",
  "cline.openai": {
    "apiKey": "${env:MEGALLM_API_KEY}",
    "baseURL": "https://ai.megallm.io/v1"
  },
  "cline.defaultModel": "gemini-2.5-pro",
  "cline.context": {
    "language": "rust",
    "codeStyle": "rustfmt"
  },
  "cline.customPrompts": {
    "review": "Review for memory safety and performance",
    "unsafe": "Analyze unsafe block for correctness",
    "optimize": "Suggest performance optimizations"
  }
}

Scenario 4: Terminal Integration Workflow

Use Cline’s terminal powers for DevOps tasks: Configuration:

{
  "cline.apiProvider": "anthropic",
  "cline.anthropic": {
    "apiKey": "${env:MEGALLM_API_KEY}",
    "baseURL": "https://ai.megallm.io"
  },
  "cline.defaultModel": "claude-sonnet-4",
  "cline.features": {
    "terminalIntegration": true,
    "gitIntegration": true,
    "fileWatcher": true
  },
  "cline.terminal": {
    "autoExecute": false,
    "requireApproval": true,
    "allowedCommands": ["npm", "git", "docker", "kubectl"]
  }
}

Example Workflow:

You: "Setup Docker development environment for this Node.js app"

Cline: "I'll help set up Docker. I'll need to:
1. Create Dockerfile
2. Create docker-compose.yml
3. Add .dockerignore
4. Test the build

Shall I proceed?"

You: "Yes"

Cline executes:
1. Creates Dockerfile with Node.js 18
2. Creates docker-compose.yml with app + postgres
3. Adds .dockerignore
4. Runs: docker-compose build
5. Runs: docker-compose up -d
6. Runs: docker-compose ps (to verify)

Result: <Icon icon="check" /> Docker environment running

Scenario 5: Migration from GitHub Copilot Chat

Switch from Copilot Chat to Cline with MegaLLM: Why Migrate:

Access to Claude (better reasoning) AND GPT
Terminal integration (Copilot Chat doesn’t have)
Autonomous multi-step tasks
Better pricing (pay-per-use vs seat-based)
More context awareness

Migration Steps:

Document Current Usage

Note your favorite Copilot Chat features:

Explaining code
Generating functions
Writing tests
Debugging help

Disable Copilot Chat

{
  "github.copilot.enable": false
}

Install Cline

VSCode Extensions → Search “Cline” → Install

Configure with MegaLLM

{
  "cline.apiProvider": "anthropic",
  "cline.anthropic": {
    "apiKey": "${env:MEGALLM_API_KEY}",
    "baseURL": "https://ai.megallm.io"
  },
  "cline.defaultModel": "claude-sonnet-4"
}

Learn Cline Commands

/explain - Explain selected code
/test - Generate tests
/fix - Debug and fix issues
/refactor - Refactor code
/task - Execute multi-step task

Compare Experience

Advantages over Copilot Chat:

Can execute terminal commands
Better at multi-file changes
Claude Opus for complex reasoning
Can run tests and verify changes
Git integration built-in

Feature Comparison:

Feature	Copilot Chat	Cline + MegaLLM
Chat Interface
Code Explanation		Better with Claude
Code Generation
Terminal Execution
Multi-File Edit	Limited	Extensive
Model Choice	GPT-4 only	GPT, Claude, Gemini
Autonomous Tasks
Git Integration	Basic	Advanced
Pricing	$10-20/month	Pay-per-use

Scenario 6: Multi-Model Strategy

Switch models based on task complexity: Configuration:

{
  "cline.apiProvider": "anthropic",
  "cline.anthropic": {
    "apiKey": "${env:MEGALLM_API_KEY}",
    "baseURL": "https://ai.megallm.io"
  },
  "cline.defaultModel": "claude-sonnet-4",
  "cline.modelProfiles": {
    "fast": {
      "provider": "openai",
      "model": "gpt-4o-mini",
      "description": "Quick tasks, simple completions"
    },
    "balanced": {
      "provider": "anthropic",
      "model": "claude-sonnet-4",
      "description": "Most tasks, good balance"
    },
    "powerful": {
      "provider": "anthropic",
      "model": "claude-opus-4-1-20250805",
      "description": "Complex reasoning, refactoring"
    },
    "creative": {
      "provider": "openai",
      "model": "gpt-5",
      "description": "Documentation, naming"
    }
  }
}

Usage Pattern:

Morning: Quick bug fixes
→ Use "fast" profile (gpt-4o-mini)
→ Fast responses for simple issues

Midday: Feature development
→ Use "balanced" profile (claude-sonnet-4)
→ Good quality, reasonable speed

Afternoon: Complex refactoring
→ Use "powerful" profile (claude-opus-4)
→ Best reasoning for architecture

Evening: Documentation
→ Use "creative" profile (gpt-5)
→ Engaging docs and comments

Switch profiles:

In Cline panel, click model name
Select profile from dropdown
Or use command: /model powerful

Scenario 7: CI/CD Integration

Use Cline in automated workflows: GitHub Actions Example: .github/workflows/cline-review.yml:

name: Cline AI Code Review

on:
  pull_request:
    types: [opened, synchronize]

jobs:
  ai-review:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest

    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v3

      - name: Setup Node.js
        uses: actions/setup-node@v3
        with:
          node-version: '18'

      - name: Install Cline CLI
        run: npm install -g @cline/cli

      - name: Configure Cline
        env:
          MEGALLM_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.MEGALLM_API_KEY }}
        run: |
          mkdir -p ~/.vscode
          cat > ~/.vscode/settings.json << EOF
          {
            "cline.apiProvider": "anthropic",
            "cline.anthropic": {
              "apiKey": "$MEGALLM_API_KEY",
              "baseURL": "https://ai.megallm.io"
            },
            "cline.defaultModel": "claude-sonnet-4"
          }
          EOF

      - name: Run AI Review
        run: |
          cline review \
            --files "$(git diff --name-only origin/main...HEAD)" \
            --output review.md \
            --model claude-sonnet-4

      - name: Run Security Check
        run: |
          cline security-scan \
            --files "$(git diff --name-only origin/main...HEAD)" \
            --output security.md

      - name: Post Review Comments
        uses: actions/github-script@v6
        with:
          script: |
            const fs = require('fs');
            const review = fs.readFileSync('review.md', 'utf8');
            const security = fs.readFileSync('security.md', 'utf8');

            github.rest.issues.createComment({
              issue_number: context.issue.number,
              owner: context.repo.owner,
              repo: context.repo.repo,
              body: `## Cline AI Review\n\n${review}\n\n## Security Analysis\n\n${security}`
            });

Configuration Options

Complete Reference

{
  // API Provider Configuration
  "cline.apiProvider": "anthropic",  // or "openai"

  // Anthropic (Claude) Configuration
  "cline.anthropic": {
    "apiKey": "${env:MEGALLM_API_KEY}",
    "baseURL": "https://ai.megallm.io"  // No /v1 for Anthropic
  },

  // OpenAI (GPT) Configuration
  "cline.openai": {
    "apiKey": "${env:MEGALLM_API_KEY}",
    "baseURL": "https://ai.megallm.io/v1"  // Include /v1 for OpenAI
  },

  // Model Settings
  "cline.defaultModel": "claude-sonnet-4",
  "cline.contextWindow": 200000,
  "cline.temperature": 0.5,
  "cline.maxTokens": 4096,

  // Features
  "cline.features": {
    "autoContext": true,
    "fileWatcher": true,
    "terminalIntegration": true,
    "gitIntegration": true,
    "multiFileEdit": true
  },

  // Autonomous Mode
  "cline.autonomousMode": {
    "enabled": true,
    "requireApproval": "perFile",  // "perFile", "perAction", "never"
    "maxIterations": 10
  },

  // Terminal Settings
  "cline.terminal": {
    "autoExecute": false,
    "requireApproval": true,
    "allowedCommands": ["npm", "git", "docker"],
    "blockedCommands": ["rm -rf", "sudo"]
  },

  // Context Settings
  "cline.context": {
    "language": "typescript",
    "frameworks": ["react", "next.js"],
    "codeStyle": "airbnb",
    "maxContextFiles": 20,
    "includeGitInfo": true
  },

  // Custom Prompts
  "cline.customPrompts": {
    "explain": "Explain this code in detail",
    "test": "Generate comprehensive tests",
    "review": "Review for bugs and improvements",
    "refactor": "Refactor for better maintainability",
    "doc": "Generate detailed documentation"
  },

  // UI Settings
  "cline.ui": {
    "theme": "auto",
    "position": "sidebar",  // "sidebar", "panel", "editor"
    "showStatusBar": true,
    "showInlineHints": true
  }
}

Model Selection Guide

Task	Recommended Model	API Provider	Why
Code Review	`claude-sonnet-4`	Anthropic	Excellent analysis
Refactoring	`claude-opus-4-1-20250805`	Anthropic	Best reasoning
Quick Tasks	`gpt-4o-mini`	OpenAI	Fastest
Web Development	`gpt-5`	OpenAI	Great for JS/React
Documentation	`gpt-5`	OpenAI	Clear writing
Systems Code	`gemini-2.5-pro`	OpenAI	Precise logic
Autonomous Tasks	`claude-opus-4-1-20250805`	Anthropic	Complex reasoning

Verification

Test 1: Basic Chat

Open Cline panel in VSCode
Start new session
Type: What model are you using?
Should respond with model name and MegaLLM confirmation

Test 2: Code Explanation

Select a function in your code
In Cline: /explain
Should provide detailed explanation

Test 3: Terminal Integration

In Cline: List all files in current directory
Cline should suggest: ls -la
Approve execution
Should see file listing

Test 4: Multi-File Task

Request: Add error handling to all API routes
Cline analyzes multiple files
Shows proposed changes for each
Approve and apply

Test 5: Status Check

Run command: /status Should show:

✓ Connected to MegaLLM
✓ Model: claude-sonnet-4
✓ Context: 200k tokens available
✓ Terminal: Enabled
✓ Git: Enabled

Troubleshooting

Model not responding

Symptoms:

Messages sent but no response
“Model initialization failed” error
Connection timeout

Solutions:

Check API provider configuration:

// For Claude models
{
  "cline.apiProvider": "anthropic",
  "cline.anthropic": {
    "baseURL": "https://ai.megallm.io"  // No /v1
  }
}

// For GPT models
{
  "cline.apiProvider": "openai",
  "cline.openai": {
    "baseURL": "https://ai.megallm.io/v1"  // Include /v1
  }
}

Verify model is available:

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer $MEGALLM_API_KEY" \
     https://ai.megallm.io/v1/models | jq '.data[].id'

Check model name is correct:
- claude-sonnet-4
- claude-sonnet-3 (old version)
- gpt-5
- gpt-5.0 (wrong format)
Reset Cline:
- Command Palette: Cline: Reset Configuration
- Restart VSCode
- Reconfigure from scratch

Terminal commands not executing

Symptoms:

Cline suggests commands but doesn’t execute
“Terminal integration disabled” message

Solutions:

Enable terminal integration:

{
  "cline.features": {
    "terminalIntegration": true
  }
}

Check terminal permissions:
- VSCode Settings → search “terminal allow”
- Enable: Terminal > Integrated: Allow Workspace Configuration

Verify allowed commands:

{
  "cline.terminal": {
    "autoExecute": false,
    "requireApproval": true,
    "allowedCommands": ["npm", "git", "docker"]
  }
}

Test manually:
- Open VSCode terminal
- Try running commands directly
- Ensure terminal works before using Cline

Context window exceeded

Symptoms:

“Context too large” error
Cline can’t include all files

Solutions:

Reduce context window:

{
  "cline.contextWindow": 100000  // Reduce from 200000
}

Limit files included:

{
  "cline.context": {
    "maxContextFiles": 10  // Reduce from 20
  }
}

Be more specific: Instead of: “Review the entire project” Say: “Review only the auth module”

Use smaller model:

{
  "cline.defaultModel": "gpt-4o-mini"  // Smaller context
}

Autonomous mode stuck

Symptoms:

Cline keeps iterating without progress
Task never completes
Same errors repeating

Solutions:

Limit max iterations:

{
  "cline.autonomousMode": {
    "maxIterations": 5  // Reduce from 10
  }
}

Require more approvals:

{
  "cline.autonomousMode": {
    "requireApproval": "perAction"  // Instead of "perFile"
  }
}

Stop and restart:
- Click “Stop” button in Cline panel
- Review what Cline attempted
- Provide more specific instructions
Break down task: Instead of: “Refactor entire authentication system” Try: “First, just update the login endpoint to use JWT”

API key not recognized

Symptoms:

“Invalid API key” error
401 Unauthorized
Connection refused

Solutions:

Verify key in environment:

echo $MEGALLM_API_KEY
# Should output: sk-mega-...

Reload VSCode:
- Close all VSCode windows
- Reload shell: source ~/.bashrc
- Reopen VSCode

Set key directly (testing):

{
  "cline.anthropic": {
    "apiKey": "sk-mega-your-actual-key"  // Temporarily for testing
  }
}

Test key manually:

curl -X POST https://ai.megallm.io/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $MEGALLM_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"model":"gpt-4o-mini","messages":[{"role":"user","content":"hi"}]}'

Check key is active:
- Login to Dashboard
- Verify key not revoked/expired

Conflicts with other extensions

Symptoms:

Multiple AI suggestions appearing
Keyboard shortcuts not working
Performance issues

Solutions:

Disable conflicting extensions:

{
  "github.copilot.enable": false,
  "tabnine.disable": true,
  "aws.codeWhisperer.enabled": false,
  "kilocode.enable": false
}

Check for keybinding conflicts:
- File → Preferences → Keyboard Shortcuts
- Search for Cline commands
- Resolve any conflicts
Try one extension at a time:
- Disable all AI extensions
- Enable only Cline
- Test functionality
- Re-enable others one by one

Best Practices

Use Environment Variables

Keep API keys in env vars: ${env:MEGALLM_API_KEY}

Project-Specific Config

Different models per project in .vscode/settings.json

Approval for Terminal

Always require approval for terminal commands

Start Small

Test autonomous mode on small tasks first

Monitor Context

Watch context usage to avoid hitting limits

Git Integration

Let Cline handle git operations for you

Advanced Tips

Custom Slash Commands

Create shortcuts for common tasks:

{
  "cline.customCommands": {
    "/deploy": "Build the app, run tests, and deploy to staging",
    "/review-pr": "Review all changed files in this PR for bugs and improvements",
    "/setup-test": "Set up test file structure and write initial tests",
    "/doc-api": "Generate API documentation from code comments"
  }
}

Usage: Type /deploy in Cline chat

Context Awareness

Improve Cline’s understanding:

{
  "cline.context": {
    "projectType": "microservices",
    "architecture": "event-driven",
    "databases": ["postgresql", "redis"],
    "testingFramework": "jest",
    "cicd": "github-actions"
  }
}

Git Integration

Let Cline manage git workflows:

{
  "cline.git": {
    "autoCommit": false,
    "commitMessageStyle": "conventional",
    "autoCreateBranches": true,
    "branchPrefix": "cline/"
  }
}

Next Steps

Kilocode Setup

Configure Kilocode for code completion

RooCode Setup

Configure RooCode standalone app

Models Catalog

Browse all available models

Other Agents

View all CLI and GUI agents

API Reference

Explore the API docs

Discord Community

Join for support

​Quick Configuration

​Configure for Claude Models

​Configure for GPT Models

​Secure Configuration

​Scenario Examples

​Scenario 1: First-Time Installation

​Scenario 2: Autonomous Task Execution

​Scenario 3: Project-Specific Cline Configuration

​Scenario 4: Terminal Integration Workflow

​Scenario 5: Migration from GitHub Copilot Chat

​Scenario 6: Multi-Model Strategy

​Scenario 7: CI/CD Integration

​Configuration Options

​Complete Reference

​Model Selection Guide

​Verification

​Test 1: Basic Chat

​Test 2: Code Explanation

​Test 3: Terminal Integration

​Test 4: Multi-File Task

​Test 5: Status Check

​Troubleshooting

​Best Practices

Use Environment Variables

Project-Specific Config

Approval for Terminal

Start Small

Monitor Context

Git Integration

​Advanced Tips

​Custom Slash Commands

​Context Awareness

​Git Integration

​Next Steps

Kilocode Setup

RooCode Setup

Models Catalog

Other Agents

API Reference

Discord Community

Quick Configuration

Configure for Claude Models

Configure for GPT Models

Secure Configuration

Scenario Examples

Scenario 1: First-Time Installation

Scenario 2: Autonomous Task Execution

Scenario 3: Project-Specific Cline Configuration

Scenario 4: Terminal Integration Workflow

Scenario 5: Migration from GitHub Copilot Chat

Scenario 6: Multi-Model Strategy

Scenario 7: CI/CD Integration

Configuration Options

Complete Reference

Model Selection Guide

Verification

Test 1: Basic Chat

Test 2: Code Explanation

Test 3: Terminal Integration

Test 4: Multi-File Task

Test 5: Status Check

Troubleshooting

Best Practices

Advanced Tips

Custom Slash Commands

Context Awareness

Git Integration

Next Steps