Why I use Cline for AI Engineering

An assessment after evaluating the landscape

The AI coding assistant landscape is saturated with tools that promise to revolutionize development workflows. As an engineer who has worked with complex systems for decades, I approach such claims with healthy skepticism. After extensively testing the major players (Cursor, WindSurf, GitHub Copilot, and others), I've found Cline - a free VSCode plugin - to be uniquely valuable for serious engineering work. Here's why, along with important caveats and trade-offs to consider.

Core Philosophy: AI as a systems tool

Cline approaches AI assistance differently from most tools in the market. Rather than focusing solely on code generation or completion, it operates as a systems-level tool that can interact with your entire development environment. This becomes particularly valuable when dealing with complex debugging scenarios, large-scale refactoring, or integration testing.

Key capabilities that matter

Flexible context management

One of Cline's most powerful features is its ability to incorporate diverse types of context efficiently. The system provides several methods for adding context:

• @file: Direct file content inclusion with intelligent parsing

• @folder: Bulk import of directory contents with smart filtering

• @url: Automatic fetch and markdown conversion of documentation

• @problems: Integration of workspace diagnostic information

This flexibility becomes particularly valuable when dealing with large codebases or complex debugging scenarios. Instead of overwhelming the context window with unnecessary information, you can selectively include relevant files and documentation. The system's intelligent parsing ensures that included content is formatted appropriately for the chosen model.

Model flexibility and strategic switching

Unlike tools locked to specific providers, Cline's model flexibility enables sophisticated workflows that leverage the strengths of different AI models. It supports a full range of models, including those from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, DeepSeek and local models via LM Studio/Ollama:

I’ve also deeply appreciated Cline’s proactive accounting of cost during a session. This is most notable when switching between model providers:

Cline has also added a real-time visual indication of context size. This progress bar shows you when you're about to hit limits and is very useful for managing work within model constraints:

While having multiple models available is useful, the real power comes from strategically combining them. The emerging DeepSeek-R1 + Claude 3.5 Sonnet workflow demonstrates this perfectly.

The DeepSeek-R1 + Sonnet hybrid approach

Recent benchmarks and user experiences have shown that combining DeepSeek-R1 for planning with Claude 3.5 Sonnet for implementation can reduce costs by up to 97% while improving overall output quality.

Here's why this combination works so well:

DeepSeek-R1 for Planning ($0.55/M tokens) or models like Gemini

• Excels at logical reasoning and architectural analysis

• Open-source model allowing customization

• Significantly lower cost (5.45x cheaper than Sonnet for input tokens, 6.85x for output)

• Particularly effective for:

  • Understanding complex codebases

  • Creating sequence diagrams

  • Mapping dependencies

  • Identifying potential edge cases

  • Generating architectural documentation

Claude 3.5 Sonnet for Implementation (“Act”)

• Superior at runtime debugging and code generation

• Excellent browser automation capabilities

• Fast response time for iterative development

• Particularly effective for:

  • Writing and refining code

  • Testing implementations

  • Debugging runtime issues

  • Browser-based testing

  • System interaction

The cost efficiency of this approach is striking. For planning-heavy tasks, using DeepSeek-R1 instead of premium models can reduce costs by an order of magnitude while maintaining or even improving output quality. Engineers report being able to rely on DeepSeek-R1 for approximately 70% of tasks that previously required more expensive models.

As mentioned, you can also use Gemini (e.g. 2.0 Flash Thinking) for planning with Cline with its new 1M token context window. Here’s an example of it in action:

Cline's ability to switch between models seamlessly makes this hybrid approach practical. With the v3.2.6 update, the system even remembers your preferred model for each mode, making it effortless to maintain optimal model selection for different types of tasks. You're not stuck with a single model's trade-offs - you can optimize for cost, capability, or speed depending on the specific task at hand.

Checkpoints: Version control beyond git

Cline's checkpoint system automatically captures workspace state after each AI operation.

Unlike traditional version control:

• Each checkpoint includes the complete environment state

• Changes can be compared and rolled back granularly

• Browser sessions and terminal states are preserved

This becomes particularly valuable when:

• Exploring multiple solution approaches simultaneously

• Debugging complex runtime issues

• Refactoring across multiple files

• Testing different dependency configurations

The system operates independently of your regular git workflow, preventing the need to pollute commit history with experimental changes.

Computer Use: Runtime awareness

Perhaps Cline's most distinctive feature is its ability to interact with running systems. Using Claude’s computer use capabilities, it can:

• Launch and interact with browsers (even verifying interactions work!)

• Execute and monitor terminal commands

• Capture and analyze runtime behavior

• React to system outputs in real-time

Above, Cline was able to connect to launch Chrome to verify that a set of changes correctly rendered. It notices that there was a Next.js error and can proactively address this without me copy/pasting issues back and forth. This is a game-changer.

This bridges a crucial gap between static code analysis and runtime behavior - something particularly valuable when dealing with complex web applications or distributed systems.

As seen in the above demo, Computer use enables Cline to more autonomy in runtime debugging, end-to-end testing, and general web use.

Plan/Act Modes: Control when it matters most

The Plan/Act toggle (with Cline’s recent v3.2.6 update) fundamentally changes how you interact with AI assistance:

• Plan Mode: Design and review solutions before execution, with persistent model selection

• Act Mode: Direct implementation for straightforward tasks, maintaining its own model preference

This separation provides necessary control for critical changes while maintaining efficiency for routine tasks. The ability to switch between modes mid-task is particularly valuable when requirements evolve during implementation.

Model Context Protocol (MCP): Extensibility in practice

The Model Context Protocol fundamentally changes what's possible with AI assistance. Rather than being limited to predefined integrations, you can extend Cline's capabilities through custom tools. Some practical applications:

• Integration with internal monitoring systems

• Custom security scanning workflows

• Automated documentation generation

• Legacy system modernization pipelines

The protocol's simplicity (JSON-based API) makes it accessible while remaining powerful enough for complex integrations, without requiring specialized prompts or roles. This extensibility is particularly valuable in enterprise environments where custom tooling is the norm rather than the exception.

Here is an example of Cline creating and adding tools to itself using MCP, such as “add a tool that pulls the latest npm docs”. It handles everything from creating the MCP server to installing it, ready for future tasks.

The Fork Ecosystem: RooCode

While Cline has inspired several forks like RooCode (formerly RooCline) and Blackbox, each has taken different directions in their approach to AI-assisted development. RooCode emphasizes role-based prompts and specialized workflows, while Cline maintains its vision of being a capable generalist that can handle any task without requiring explicit role selection. This philosophy is reflected in features like Plan/Act mode, which streamlines common interaction patterns without requiring users to manage complex prompting strategies.

The different approaches highlight an interesting tension in AI tool design: while specialized modes can seem appealing, they often add complexity to the user experience. Cline's approach focuses on reducing prompt fatigue and making interactions more natural, with upcoming features aimed at further simplifying how developers communicate their intentions to the AI assistant.

The rapid pace of development in Cline means today's limitations might be solved tomorrow. Recent updates suggest a focus on:

• Improved performance optimization

• Better integration with existing development workflows

• More sophisticated runtime analysis capabilities

Comparison with current tools

The AI coding assistant landscape is rapidly evolving, with each tool offering distinct advantages and trade-offs. Here's how Cline compares to other major players in the space:

Cursor

(free for 2K completions otherwise $20/month)

Strengths:

• Built on Visual Studio Code for familiarity

• Stable and comprehensive feature set

• Effective multi-file operations via Composer

• Strong team environment support

Limitations:

• Recent performance issues and bugs

• Less system-level integration

• Limited runtime debugging

WindSurf

(free for 50 premium prompts otherwise $15/month)

Strengths:

• Superior context awareness for medium to large codebases

• Clean, polished UI

• Cost-effective pricing model

• Strong project context understanding

Limitations:

• Fewer features compared to competitors

• No browser automation

• Confusing "model flow action credits" system

GitHub Copilot

(Copilot Pro is $20 per user/month)

Strengths:

• Unlimited usage in paid tier

• Seamless VS Code integration

• Strong inline suggestions

• Native GitHub ecosystem integration

Limitations:

• Basic multi-file editing capabilities

• Limited to editor environment

• Slower performance for complex tasks

• No system-level operations

• Basic model support

Aider

Strengths:

• Excellent terminal-based workflow

• Strong CLI integration

• Open-source flexibility

• Direct approach to task solving

Limitations:

• Limited IDE integration

• Basic runtime capabilities

• Steeper learning curve for GUI-focused developers

Continue

Strengths:

• Strong contextual awareness

• Good version control integration

• Clean interface design

• Focused feature set

Limitations:

• Limited to editor environment

• No system-level operations

• Basic model support

• Less flexible for complex workflows

Why Cline stands out

What sets Cline apart is its combination of:

1. Model flexibility: The ability to leverage different models strategically (e.g., DeepSeek-R1 + Sonnet workflow) can reduce costs by up to 97% while improving output quality. I’ve been leveraging this effectively.

2. System integration: Deep integration with browsers, terminals, and development tools enables true end-to-end assistance.

3. Control and visibility: The human-in-the-loop approach with explicit approvals and checkpoints provides necessary oversight for critical systems.

4. Extensibility: The Model Context Protocol allows integration with custom tools and workflows, making it adaptable to specific needs.

However, this power comes with trade-offs, such as token-based pricing requires attention to model selection.

The choice between these tools ultimately depends on your specific needs:

• For cost-conscious teams: Cursor and WindSurf offers good value while not being quite as comprehensive as Cline from a feature perspective. Cost can often be addressed in Cline by using OpenRouter, local models or forks (RooCline/Code)

• For GitHub-centric workflows: GitHub Copilot integrates seamlessly

• For terminal lovers: Aider provides a focused experience

• For maximum flexibility and control: Cline enables sophisticated workflows

Cline's approach makes it particularly suitable for teams working on complex systems where control, flexibility, and system-level integration matter more than immediate convenience.

Conclusion: Why Cline makes sense for serious engineering

For teams building complex systems, Cline's approach to AI assistance aligns well with professional engineering practices:

• It respects existing workflows rather than forcing new ones

• It provides control and visibility where they matter most

• It can be extended and customized as needs evolve

• It treats AI as a tool rather than a magic solution

The trade-off of additional complexity for greater control and capability makes sense for serious development work. While simpler tools might be sufficient for basic tasks, Cline's system-level approach provides unique value for complex engineering challenges.

Whether Cline is right for your team depends on your specific needs and constraints.

However, if you're building complex systems and want AI assistance that respects engineering principles, Cline is worth serious consideration.

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*The author has no affiliation with Cline beyond being a user. This assessment is based on personal experience in production environments.