Cline with OpenAI-compatible APIs
One key, every model
Cline is the most active open-source agent extension for VS Code: 5M+ installs, Apache-2.0, BYOK pay-as-you-go. Its built-in OpenAI Compatible channel takes three fields to connect to QCode.
Highlights
VS Code installs
The most active tier among open-source agent extensions; after Roo Code was archived in 2026-05, the ecosystem consolidated around Cline and its peers.
Config needed to connect
Base URL + API key + model id. The OpenAI Compatible provider natively supports custom endpoints.
Price of the extension
Free under Apache-2.0; you only pay for the model tokens you burn. The hosted ClinePass is separate (from $9.99/mo).
Model families you can switch
When the endpoint speaks the OpenAI protocol, Claude / GPT / Gemini / GLM / Kimi / DeepSeek / Qwen can all be switched within the same session.
What Cline is
Cline is an open-source AI agent extension for VS Code: it reads repos, edits multiple files, runs terminal commands and verifies results in a browser — all inside the editor. It doesn't sell models itself: it's BYOK, so whichever provider's key you enter is the model you use, billed per token by that provider. Mid-2026 versions sit at v3.8x, shipping on a weekly cadence.
Why it's worth installing now
After subscription tools all moved to $20/mo, the BYOK route of 'free extension + pay-per-use' looks attractive again: light users often spend less than the loose change of a subscription per month. Meanwhile Roo Code was archived on 2026-05-15, and the open-source VS Code agent ecosystem consolidated around Cline / Kilo Code / Continue — Cline has the largest install base of the three.
Timeline
Roo Code is archived; the open-source VS Code agent field starts consolidating.
Cline reaches v3.8x and ships Cline CLI plus the hosted inference option ClinePass (from $9.99/mo).
The releases page keeps a weekly cadence; the OpenAI Compatible channel becomes the standard way to hook up third-party endpoints.
Confirmed vs caveats
Confirmed
Cline ships an OpenAI Compatible provider with custom base URL, API key and model id; the extension is free under Apache-2.0; model calls are billed per token by whichever provider you configure.
Caveats
The Gemini provider's custom base URL was removed during an SDK migration (issue #13243) — to reach Gemini models, use the OpenAI Compatible channel; don't look for a base URL setting in the Gemini channel.
BYOK or subscription
BYOK (Cline itself)
Free extension, pay-per-use models. Suits people whose usage fluctuates, who want to swap models freely, or who use several model families.
Subscription ($20/mo tier)
Cursor / Claude Code style monthly plans. Suits daily heavy users who max out quotas and don't want to manage keys. Below full usage, pay-per-use is cheaper.
How to connect (three steps)
In Cline settings pick the OpenAI Compatible provider: set Base URL to https://api.qcode.cc/v1, API Key to your QCode key, and Model to any id from the /models catalog (e.g. claude-sonnet-5, gpt-5.6-sol). Save and you're done. Switching models means changing only the Model field — the key stays untouched.
On QCode
The QCode endpoint speaks the OpenAI protocol, and one key reaches all seven families. Configure Cline once; afterwards switching models is just editing the model id. Billing is official pricing times our service rate, with usage visible live in the console.
FAQ
Does Cline cost anything?
The extension itself is free (Apache-2.0). You pay for model tokens, billed by whichever API provider you configure. There's also the official hosted inference, ClinePass, from $9.99/mo — optional.
Can I use Claude in Cline?
Yes. Cline has a native Anthropic channel; if you go through an OpenAI-compatible endpoint like QCode, just enter the model id in the OpenAI Compatible channel.
Where did Gemini's custom base URL go?
It was removed during an SDK migration (issue #13243). Workaround: reach Gemini model ids through the OpenAI Compatible channel — functionality is unaffected.
Which is better value: BYOK or a $20/mo subscription?
Depends on usage. If you run agents hard every day, a subscription is steadier; if your usage fluctuates or you juggle multiple tools, pay-per-use usually costs less and lets you swap models anytime.
How is Cline different from Cursor?
Cline is a VS Code extension — open source, BYOK; Cursor is a standalone IDE — closed source, subscription. They coexist fine on the same machine, and many people switch between them per task.
Where do I find model ids?
QCode's /models catalog lists the currently callable ids and prices in real time — copy an id into Cline's Model field and you're set.
Sources
Cline GitHub releases (fetched 2026-08), cline.bot, an OpenAI Compatible setup tutorial (ourtoken.ai), issue #13243.
Configure once, switch across seven families
One QCode key speaks the OpenAI protocol; three fields in Cline and you're working.
Related reading
OpenCode guide
A terminal-first open-source agent that also supports custom endpoints.
Multi-model routing
How to assign models per task behind a single key.
Claude Code guide
The official CLI's workflow — complements Cline.
Not affiliated with the Cline team. Extension behavior follows its official documentation.