Cline with OpenAI-compatible APIs
GPT via OpenAI Compatible, Claude via Anthropic
As of 2026-10-20, Cline's OpenAI Compatible provider works on QCode only for GPT and GLM / Kimi / DeepSeek / Qwen models, with Base URL https://api.qcode.cc/openai/v1. Claude does not work there: pick the Anthropic provider, check Use custom base URL and enter https://api.qcode.cc/api. The same QCode key covers both.
Updated 2026-10-22
Point this tool at the QCode endpoint — one key for Claude, GPT and Chinese models.
- Billed per token — live rates on /models
- Pay by card (Visa / Mastercard), Apple Pay, Google Pay or crypto
- Self-service: top up and activate instantly
Highlights
VS Code installs
The VS Code Marketplace shows 5,671,607 installs; after Roo Code was archived in 2026-05, the ecosystem consolidated around Cline and its peers, and the repository is now read-only.
Config needed to connect
Base URL + API key + model id. The OpenAI Compatible provider natively supports custom endpoints.
Price of the extension
Open source under Apache-2.0, the extension itself is free; you only pay for the model tokens you burn. The official hosted subscription ClinePass is separate ($9.99/mo, verified 2026-09-21 and unchanged since).
Ways to connect Cline to QCode
Claude goes through the Anthropic provider (https://api.qcode.cc/api); GPT and GLM / Kimi / DeepSeek / Qwen go through OpenAI Compatible (https://api.qcode.cc/openai/v1). The same key works for both; available models are listed on /models.
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 sat at v3.8x, shipping on a weekly cadence; the VS Code extension line currently stands at v4.1.25 (released 2026-10-16, GitHub releases).
Why it's worth installing now
Cline released Cline Desktop (Mac and Windows beta) on 2026-09-14; the official blog says Cline started as a VS Code extension and is now used by more than 11 million developers. The extension itself is free, and model calls are billed per token by the provider you configure — the BYOK route is unchanged. Before that, after subscription tools all moved to $20/mo, the BYOK route of 'free extension + pay-per-use' looked 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
The Roo Code repository was archived by its owner; it is now read-only.
Cline reaches v3.8x and ships Cline CLI plus the hosted subscription option ClinePass ($9.99/mo); on 2026-09-14 it also shipped Cline Desktop (Mac and Windows beta).
The releases page keeps a weekly cadence and OpenAI Compatible remains the standard way to point at third-party endpoints; the GitHub releases page lists separate CLI and desktop lines, with the VS Code extension at v4.1.25 (2026-10-16).
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
Cline's Anthropic provider hides the custom base URL field by default: per the official docs you must check Use custom base URL to enter a different address, and most users won't need to adjust this setting. To connect QCode you do need it checked, with https://api.qcode.cc/api. The Gemini provider's custom base URL was removed during an SDK migration (issue #13243) — to reach Gemini models you used the OpenAI Compatible channel; the issue is closed and the Cline team says in a reply that the field came back with v4.1.11.
BYOK or subscription
BYOK (Cline itself)
The extension itself is free; model calls are billed per token with the provider you configure. 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.
How to connect (three steps)
① In Cline settings (gear icon) choose OpenAI Compatible under API Provider: Base URL https://api.qcode.cc/openai/v1, API Key your QCode key, Model a GPT or GLM / Kimi / DeepSeek / Qwen id (e.g. gpt-6-sol, gpt-5.6-terra, glm-5.2) — never claude-*. ② For Claude, switch API Provider to Anthropic, paste the same key into Anthropic API Key, check Use custom base URL and enter https://api.qcode.cc/api (not /api/v1/messages, no trailing slash), then pick a model such as claude-sonnet-5. ③ Send a test message; after that, switching models only changes the Model field.
On QCode
One QCode key (starting with cr_) works with both the Anthropic and the OpenAI protocol, but Claude only runs on the Anthropic endpoint; sending it to the OpenAI-compatible endpoint returns model_not_available_on_endpoint. So in Cline, use the Anthropic provider for Claude and OpenAI Compatible for GPT and GLM / Kimi / DeepSeek / Qwen. Billing is per token; per-model prices are on /models. Personal Plans give a daily quota valid for 30 days. Not ready for a monthly plan? Pay-as-you-go Packs start at $4 for a one-time quota you use within 7 days.
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 is also the official hosted subscription ClinePass at $9.99/mo (verified on the official page 2026-09-21, unchanged since) — optional.
Can I use Claude in Cline?
Yes, through the Anthropic provider: set API Provider to Anthropic, check Use custom base URL with https://api.qcode.cc/api, and pick a model such as claude-sonnet-5. Entering claude-* in the OpenAI Compatible channel returns model_not_available_on_endpoint.
What if the model list is empty in OpenAI Compatible? And what about Gemini's custom base URL?
You don't need the list: per QCode's docs, type the model id (e.g. glm-5.3) directly into the Model ID field — no need to pick from a list. Cline's own docs also list "Model Not Found" as a case where you should check that the model id matches the Base URL. Gemini's custom base URL was removed during an SDK migration (issue #13243); the workaround then was to reach Gemini model ids through the OpenAI Compatible channel — functionality unaffected — and the Cline team confirmed in a reply that the field returned with v4.1.11.
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, BYOK is more flexible and lets you swap models anytime. Not ready for a monthly plan? Pay-as-you-go Packs start at $4 for a one-time quota you use within 7 days.
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 the Model field of the matching provider: claude-* under the Anthropic provider, GPT and GLM / Kimi / DeepSeek / Qwen ids under OpenAI Compatible.
Sources
Cline's official docs on docs.cline.bot (the Anthropic, OpenAI Compatible and ClinePass pages), the cline.bot blog (desktop launch post), the VS Code Marketplace listing, and GitHub API data for cline/cline releases and the RooCodeInc/Roo-Code repository — all fetched on 2026-10-20; the archive banner for Roo Code is from a web.archive.org snapshot dated 2026-06-23; issue #13243 with its replies (same day). Connection settings follow the docs.qcode.cc Cline integration and endpoints pages (archived 2026-10-19). Earlier sources also included Cline GitHub releases, cline.bot ClinePass (2026-08 fetch; 2026-09-21 re-check of price and versions) and the OpenAI Compatible tutorial (ourtoken.ai).
One key, two providers: Claude and GPT
Claude: Anthropic provider + https://api.qcode.cc/api. GPT and GLM / Kimi / DeepSeek / Qwen: OpenAI Compatible + https://api.qcode.cc/openai/v1.
Related reading
GitHub Copilot BYOK for Claude and GPT
BYOK setup for VS Code Custom Endpoint and Copilot CLI: URL forms, plan requirements and the JetBrains limit.
Cursor custom API key and Base URL
Where keys go in Settings → Models, which slot can change the Base URL, why Tab skips your key, and the QCode setup.
Claude Code guide
The official CLI's workflow — complements Cline.
Crypto payment guide
Nine coins, 56 networks, zero platform fee for AI coding API credits.
Not affiliated with the Cline team. Extension behavior follows its official documentation; endpoint settings checked on 2026-10-20, model availability per /models.