# Cline

[Cline](https://cline.bot/) is a VS Code extension that runs a coding
agent against an LLM provider. It supports any OpenAI-compatible
endpoint.

## Configure

1. Install the **Cline** extension from the VS Code marketplace.
2. Open the Cline sidebar.
3. Click the gear icon, then **Settings**.
4. Under **API Provider**, pick **OpenAI Compatible**.
5. Fill in:
   - **Base URL**: `https://lowrouter.ai/api/v1`
   - **API Key**: your `lr-sk-...` token
   - **Model ID**: any LowRouter model ID, e.g.
     `anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5` or `lowrouter/auto`.
6. Save and start a task.

## Recommended setup

- **Separate key for Cline**. Cline can burn tokens fast on agentic
  tasks (read file → think → edit → re-read). A dedicated key with a
  per-day limit is a cheap insurance policy.
- **Pick an explicit model**, not `lowrouter/auto`, for repeatable
  pricing. Auto-routing changes the underlying model based on
  availability, which can surprise you when you compare daily costs.
- **Read the diff every time.** Cline produces real edits to your
  workspace. The dashboard's transaction-detail page shows exactly
  what was sent (token counts, model, cost) but not the prompt or the
  response — the source of truth is the diff in your editor.

## Troubleshooting

- **"Model does not support tools"**: not every model exposes tool
  use. The model browser tags `tool_use: true` on supported models.
  Pick one that does, or switch to `lowrouter/auto` which prefers
  tool-capable models when the prompt calls for tools.
- **"Context window exceeded"**: the file or selection you fed the
  agent is larger than the model's context. Switch to a longer-context
  model or trim the context.
- **401**: confirm the API key.
- **Latency feels off**: check the **provider** field on the
  transaction detail page. Cline doesn't expose it; LowRouter does.