> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/cline/cline/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installing Cline

> Install Cline in VS Code, Cursor, JetBrains, or the terminal. Get the extension running in under two minutes.

Cline is available as a VS Code extension (extension ID: `saoudrizwan.claude-dev`, display name: **Cline**), a JetBrains plugin, and a standalone CLI tool for macOS and Linux. Pick the installation method that matches your environment.

<Info>
  Before you install, create a free account at [app.cline.bot](https://app.cline.bot/login). You can use it to authenticate without managing API keys, or bring your own keys from providers like Anthropic or OpenAI.
</Info>

## Install via VS Code

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open VS Code">
    Launch VS Code on your computer. Cline requires VS Code 1.84.0 or later. Check your version under **Help → About** if you're unsure.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Extensions view">
    Press `Ctrl+Shift+X` (Windows/Linux) or `Cmd+Shift+X` (macOS), or click the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the left.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search for Cline">
    Type **Cline** in the search bar. Look for the extension published by **saoudrizwan** with the extension ID `saoudrizwan.claude-dev`.

    Alternatively, open the extension directly on the [VS Code Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=saoudrizwan.claude-dev) and click **Install**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install the extension">
    Click **Install**. VS Code may show a dialog that says "Running extensions might...". Click **Allow** to proceed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Cline">
    Click the Cline icon in the Activity Bar, or open the Command Palette (`Ctrl+Shift+P` / `Cmd+Shift+P`) and run **Cline: Open In New Tab**.

    If the icon is not visible after installation, restart VS Code completely.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  For the best experience, move Cline to the right sidebar so your file explorer stays visible on the left. Drag the Cline icon from the Activity Bar into the right panel, or open it via the Command Palette and drag the tab to the right.
</Tip>

## Install via Cursor

Cursor uses the same extension marketplace as VS Code. The installation steps are identical.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Cursor">
    Launch Cursor on your computer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Extensions">
    Press `Ctrl+Shift+X` (Windows/Linux) or `Cmd+Shift+X` (macOS).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search and install">
    Search for **Cline** and click **Install** on the extension by saoudrizwan.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Move Cline to the AI pane (optional)">
    Cursor has a dedicated AI pane on the right. To dock Cline there:

    1. Open the Command Palette and search for **Preferences: Open Settings (UI)**.
    2. Search for `workbench.activityBar.orientation` and set it to `vertical`, then restart Cursor.
    3. Click the Cursor cube icon to open the AI pane.
    4. Drag the Cline icon into the AI pane sidebar.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Install via JetBrains

Cline is available for all JetBrains IDEs including IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, GoLand, and Rider. It supports all core features: diff editing, terminal commands, multiple API providers, MCP servers, and Cline rules.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open your JetBrains IDE">
    Launch IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, or any JetBrains IDE.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Settings">
    Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows/Linux) or `Cmd+,` (macOS) to open Settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to the Marketplace">
    Go to **Plugins → Marketplace** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install Cline">
    Search for **Cline** and click **Install**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart and open Cline">
    Restart your IDE when prompted. After restarting, open Cline from **View → Tool Windows → Cline** (usually docked on the right side).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Alternative: install from the JetBrains Marketplace website">
    1. Go to the [JetBrains Marketplace plugin page](https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/28247-cline).
    2. Click **Install to IDE** and confirm in the dialog that appears in your IDE.
    3. Restart your IDE to complete the installation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Alternative: manual installation from disk">
    1. Download the plugin `.zip` file from the [JetBrains Marketplace](https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/28247-cline).
    2. In your IDE, go to **Settings → Plugins**, click the gear icon, and select **Install Plugin from Disk**.
    3. Select the downloaded `.zip` file and restart your IDE.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Terminal output differences in JetBrains">
    In VS Code, terminal output streams directly into the Cline chat. In JetBrains, output appears in collapsible **Command Output** sections inside the chat. Commands execute successfully in both — expand the section to see results.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Install via CLI

The Cline CLI lets you run AI coding agents directly in your terminal, without an IDE. It is useful for automated code reviews in CI/CD pipelines, multi-instance development, and shell workflow integration.

<Note>
  Cline CLI supports macOS, Linux, and Windows (x64 and arm64). Requires Node.js 20 or later.
</Note>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check your Node.js version">
    The Cline CLI requires Node.js 20 or later.

    ```bash theme={null}
    node --version
    ```

    If you need to upgrade, download from [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org) or use nvm:

    ```bash theme={null}
    nvm install 22 && nvm use 22
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install the Cline CLI">
    ```bash theme={null}
    npm install -g cline
    ```

    If you see a permission error on macOS or Linux, prefix with `sudo`, or configure npm to use a user-owned directory for global packages.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authenticate">
    ```bash theme={null}
    cline auth
    ```

    This opens your browser to authenticate via the Cline account portal. After authenticating, your session is stored locally and persists until you sign out.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start a session">
    Run `cline` to start an interactive session, or pass a task directly for headless execution:

    ```bash theme={null}
    # Interactive session
    cline

    # Headless execution
    cline "Refactor the auth module to use async/await"
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Install for Zed or Neovim (via ACP)

Cline supports any editor that implements the **Agent Client Protocol (ACP)**. This gives you full access to Cline's capabilities — including Skills, Hooks, and MCP integrations — in editors beyond VS Code and JetBrains.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install Node.js 20+ and the Cline CLI">
    Follow steps 1 and 2 from the CLI installation above, then run `cline auth` to authenticate.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure your editor">
    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Zed">
        Open Zed settings (`Cmd+,` or `Ctrl+,`) and add the following to your `settings.json`:

        ```json settings.json theme={null}
        {
          "agent_servers": {
            "Cline": {
              "type": "custom",
              "command": "cline",
              "args": ["--acp"],
              "env": {}
            }
          }
        }
        ```

        Open the AI assistant panel, select **Cline** from the agent dropdown, and start coding.
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Neovim (agentic.nvim)">
        Install [agentic.nvim](https://github.com/carlos-algms/agentic.nvim) using lazy.nvim:

        ```lua init.lua theme={null}
        {
          "carlos-algms/agentic.nvim",
          opts = {
            provider = "cline-acp",
            acp_providers = {
              ["cline-acp"] = {
                command = "cline",
                args = {"--acp"},
              },
            },
          },
          keys = {
            {"<C-\\>", function() require("agentic").toggle() end, mode={"n","v","i"}, desc="Toggle Cline Chat"},
          },
        }
        ```

        Press `Ctrl+\` to toggle the Cline chat panel.
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can't find Cline in the marketplace">
    Make sure you are on the **Marketplace** tab (not Installed). Try searching for `saoudrizwan.claude-dev` instead of just "Cline". Verify your IDE is up to date — Cline requires VS Code 1.84.0 or later. If installation fails, restart your IDE and check your internet connection.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cline icon not appearing after installation">
    Restart your IDE completely (File → Exit, then reopen). In VS Code or Cursor, open the Command Palette and run **Cline: Open In New Tab**. In JetBrains, check **View → Tool Windows → Cline**. If it is still missing, verify the extension is enabled in your Extensions or Plugins settings.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="CLI: Node.js or permission errors">
    Run `node --version` to confirm you have Node.js 20 or later. If you need to upgrade, use nvm: `nvm install 22 && nvm use 22`. For `EACCES` permission errors on `npm install -g`, either use `sudo npm install -g cline` or configure npm to install global packages in a user-owned directory.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Extension installed but not responding">
    Disable and re-enable the extension in your IDE's settings, then reload the window. Check the Developer Console (VS Code: **Help → Toggle Developer Tools**) or Event Log (JetBrains) for error messages. Also check that you have no conflicting extensions that may be interfering.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Authorize with Cline" icon="key" href="/getting-started/authorizing-with-cline">
    Connect an AI provider — sign in with the Cline account or add your own API key from Anthropic, OpenAI, OpenRouter, and more.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Your first project" icon="rocket" href="/getting-started/your-first-project">
    Walk through building a todo app with Cline to learn the core workflow: tasks, approvals, and iteration.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>