# Cline

[Cline](https://docs.cline.bot/getting-started/what-is-cline) is an open source AI coding agent that brings frontier AI models directly to your VS Code editor. Unlike autocomplete tools, Cline is a true coding agent that can understand entire codebases, plan complex changes, and execute multi-step tasks. This guide will walk you through the setup.

{% hint style="info" %}
*Before you begin: Make sure you have generated your Cortecs API key. If not, check out our* [*QuickStart*](/quickstart.md) *guide.*
{% endhint %}

## 1. Install Cline 

First, install the **Cline** extension in your VS Code. You can find it by following the instructions on their [website](https://cline.bot/) or in the [Visual Studio Code Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=saoudrizwan.claude-dev).

<figure><img src="/files/kXOvUWZ4hl8DFSmXy2mJ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Once installed, you’ll need to configure an **external provider**.

## 2. Connect to cortecs

Cortecs provides **OpenAI-compatible API endpoints**, making it easy to integrate with Cline and many other tools.

To set up the connection, follow these steps:

1. Select `Use your own API key`  on first start or navigate to the Settings
2. Configure the connection with the following settings:\
   – **API Provider:** OpenAI Compatible\
   – **Base URL:** <code class="expression">space.vars.DEFAULT\_API\_BASE\_URL</code>\
   – **API Key:** Your API Key\
   – **Model:** <code class="expression">space.vars.DEFAULT\_CODING\_MODEL</code> (feel free to pick another one from the [catalogue](https://cortecs.ai/serverlessModels))

<figure><img src="/files/i1XvddQviJMllDvRe30C" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Enjoy your **privacy-preserving coding assistant** with the power of Cortecs and Cline. Explore other models, tweak the setup to your needs, and join the conversation on our [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/bPFEFcWBhp) to share feedback 👩‍💻👨‍💻


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.cortecs.ai/integration-examples/coding/cline.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.