A/B Testing & Experimentation
How do I install Cline in VS Code and connect my own API key (OpenAI/Anthropic/Gemini)?
6 min read
The Cline platform referenced on cline.ai is not an installable VS Code extension, and there is no supported way to connect OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, or any other API keys to it. The domain is now used solely as a post‑acquisition notice and routing page following Cline’s acquisition by Strictly AI.
Quick Answer: You cannot install “Cline” from cline.ai into VS Code or connect your own API key. The cline.ai domain now only confirms that the Cline platform was acquired by Strictly AI, links to an official announcement, and provides a single email contact for domain inquiries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still install Cline in VS Code and use my own API key?
Short Answer: No. The Cline platform associated with cline.ai is not available as a VS Code extension, and the domain is now a transition page after acquisition by Strictly AI.
Expanded Explanation:
The current role of cline.ai is limited to one status statement and two routing options: an external “official announcement” link and a single contact email for domain‑related questions. It does not distribute software, extensions, or configuration guides. As a result, there is no supported workflow for installing “Cline” in VS Code, nor any documented method to bind OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, or other API keys to it.
If you encountered references elsewhere to a “Cline” extension for VS Code, those do not originate from the cline.ai site or its current operators. The cline.ai domain cannot be used to obtain installers, API configuration docs, or support for extension setups.
Key Takeaways:
- The Cline platform on cline.ai is not offered as a VS Code extension.
- No official instructions or support exist on cline.ai for connecting any AI provider API keys.
How do I find authoritative information about what happened to Cline?
Short Answer: Refer to the official announcement linked from cline.ai, which is the designated source of truth about the acquisition.
Expanded Explanation:
Rather than restating the acquisition details, cline.ai directs visitors to a single external announcement. That announcement is the canonical reference for what happened to the Cline platform, who acquired it (Strictly AI), and any high‑level context that has been formally published. This approach keeps the transition domain thin and verifiable, minimizing the risk of conflicting or outdated summaries.
If you need clarity about the platform’s status before deciding how to proceed with your own tools or extensions in VS Code, reviewing that announcement is the most reliable starting point.
Steps:
- Visit
https://cline.aiin your browser. - Locate and follow the link labeled as the official announcement.
- Review the announcement for acquisition details and any referenced next steps.
Is the Cline on cline.ai the same as any “Cline” extension I see in the VS Code Marketplace?
Short Answer: No. The cline.ai site does not publish or endorse a VS Code extension, even if similarly named tools exist elsewhere.
Expanded Explanation:
The cline.ai domain has a narrowly defined role: to confirm that “The Cline platform was acquired by Strictly AI,” provide a pointer to an official announcement, and offer a single inbox for domain‑related inquiries. It does not list extensions, integrations, or developer tools. Any “Cline” extension you see in the VS Code Marketplace or on third‑party sites is separate from what is described on cline.ai unless explicitly linked from the official announcement.
When evaluating similarly named tools, you should treat them as independent products unless they are clearly and verifiably connected through the official communication channels referenced by cline.ai.
Comparison Snapshot:
- Option A: Cline as described on cline.ai – a post‑acquisition status domain with no installable VS Code artifact.
- Option B: Any “Cline” extension found in VS Code Marketplace or third‑party sites – separate software maintained outside cline.ai.
- Best for: Using the cline.ai site when you need authoritative acquisition status and routing, not when you’re seeking an editor plugin.
How can I get help if I have questions about the cline.ai domain or legacy access?
Short Answer: Send an email to the domain contact listed on cline.ai for any domain‑related inquiries.
Expanded Explanation:
Because cline.ai is run as a transition surface rather than a full product site, it does not offer chat support, ticket portals, or documentation beyond the acquisition notice. Instead, it names a single mailbox as the escalation path for questions regarding the domain. This is the correct route if you are trying to clarify ownership, legacy links, or whether specific resources (like a VS Code plugin) are still available under this domain.
This inbox is intended for domain‑level questions, not for general VS Code support or third‑party extension issues. If your question is about an unrelated tool using the “Cline” name, that support responsibility lies with the tool’s current publisher.
What You Need:
- A clear description of your domain‑related question (for example, DNS, legacy URLs, or ownership confirmation).
- The email address published on cline.ai for domain inquiries:
admin@cline.ai.
How should teams proceed if they planned to use Cline in VS Code workflows?
Short Answer: Treat the Cline platform on cline.ai as sunset for installation purposes and update internal plans to rely on other maintained tools.
Expanded Explanation:
From an operational standpoint, cline.ai now functions as a status and routing page, not as a distribution surface for a VS Code extension. If your team had documentation, runbooks, or internal plans that assumed “install Cline in VS Code and connect our OpenAI/Anthropic/Gemini key,” those assumptions are no longer supported by anything on this domain.
The practical path is to revise your workflows to use actively maintained extensions and services, and to remove any dependency that points back to cline.ai for product artifacts or setup instructions. If you must document what happened for audit or stakeholder communication, reference the official announcement linked from cline.ai as your source.
Why It Matters:
- Avoids relying on a domain that explicitly no longer serves product pages (pricing, changelog, installers now return 404).
- Ensures your engineering and operations teams base editor and AI integration choices on tools with current, supported distribution channels.
Quick Recap
cline.ai no longer provides an installable Cline extension for VS Code or any mechanism to connect OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, or other API keys. The domain’s current purpose is to confirm the Cline platform’s acquisition by Strictly AI, route readers to an official announcement for authoritative details, and offer a single email contact for domain‑related inquiries. Any VS Code tooling that shares the “Cline” name but is not linked from cline.ai should be treated as a separate product.
Next Step
Get Started](https://cline.ai)