sitdraw

How to install and use Cline in VS Code: API setup, Plan and Act modes, first codebase task

Install Cline, wire an API provider, ask a read-only Plan question, then approve your first small Act edit.

To run your first Cline job in VS Code, install the Marketplace extension, configure an API Provider, explore in Plan mode, then switch to Act for a small approved change.

Facts follow docs.cline.bot setup and provider pages plus Marketplace Cline (saoudrizwan.claude-dev, formerly Claude Dev). Queries: Cline VS Code install, Cline Plan Act mode. For a short huddle see sitdraw and create and join a room.

InstallAPIPlan → Act

Plan vs Act

Plan

Read the repo, search, and strategize—no file edits or terminal commands.

Act

Keeps planning context; can edit files and run commands in a visible terminal with your Approve on each step.

PlanRead-only
ActExecute
@fileContext
GoalEntryFirst-hour check
Wire a modelCline ⚙️ → API ProviderProvider + model selected; chat sends
Plan passPlan + read-only promptAnswers cite real paths; no unapproved diffs
Act passAct + small taskReview diff → Approve → run local tests
Split modelsUse different models for Plan and ActStrong planner, faster actor (optional)

Install, API, Plan/Act, first repo task

  1. 01
    Install Cline

    Extensions → search Cline (publisher Cline, id saoudrizwan.claude-dev) → Install. Quick Open: ext install saoudrizwan.claude-dev. Open a folder workspace, not a loose file.

  2. 02
    Configure API Provider

    Open Cline → ⚙️ → pick Anthropic, OpenAI, OpenRouter, Gemini, etc., paste keys per docs.cline.bot (or sign in to Cline Provider where documented). Choose a Model; optionally set separate Plan/Act models.

  3. 03
    Plan: first read-only task

    Stay in Plan. Ask how a feature flows through modules; add @folder or @file context. Confirm no file edits are waiting for approval.

  4. 04
    Act: first small change

    Switch to Act—e.g. add a docstring without behavior changes. Approve each diff and terminal command; run existing tests. Never paste secrets.

# First hour · Cline · VS Code · 2026-09
# ext install saoudrizwan.claude-dev · folder workspace
# ⚙️ API Provider + Model · Plan read-only · Act small edit
# docs.cline.bot/core-workflows/plan-and-act
# marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=saoudrizwan.claude-dev
Which extension if I search Claude Dev?
Install publisher Cline, id saoudrizwan.claude-dev.
It tries to edit in Plan?
Switch to Plan mode; complex work may use official /deep-planning per docs.cline.bot.
Compare Codeium or Qodo?
Cline is a multi-step agent with terminal access; see our Codeium guide and Qodo guide.
Whiteboard?
No—open sitdraw for diagrams.

Plan before Act

Keep the first Act task to one module and review every command before approval.

Start the picture