Cline:MCP server - chunhualiao/public-docs GitHub Wiki

Cline is an open-source AI coding assistant extension for Visual Studio Code (VS Code) that integrates with large language models (LLMs) like Claude to help with software development tasks, such as planning, code editing, and file management.

How Cline Uses MCP Servers

Cline leverages Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers as intermediaries to connect its underlying LLM with external tools, data sources, and capabilities. These servers are small, specialized programs or extensions that expose APIs, functions, or resources to the AI agent. In practice, users can configure and manage MCP servers directly within the Cline panel in VS Code—such as by accessing the sidebar icon, opening the menu, and selecting "MCP Servers" to connect to remote servers or install new ones. This integration allows Cline to invoke MCP-provided tools during tasks, where the LLM sends requests to the server for operations like querying databases or calling external APIs, and the server handles the execution while returning results back to the AI for incorporation into the workflow. MCP servers can be official, community-built, or custom, and they're discoverable through marketplaces or GitHub repositories tailored for Cline.

Benefits of MCP Servers for Cline Users

MCP servers significantly expand Cline's functionality beyond basic code generation, enabling more complex and productive workflows. Key benefits include:

  • Access to External Capabilities: Users can integrate tools for web searching, file operations, API invocations, database queries, and more, allowing Cline to handle real-world tasks like fetching live data or automating deployments without leaving VS Code.

  • Enhanced Productivity and Automation: By providing context, prompts, and specialized functions, MCP servers help Cline understand and execute multi-step plans more effectively, reducing manual effort in areas like debugging, testing, or integrating with third-party services.

  • Customization and Flexibility: Developers can configure server settings, manage tools, or even build custom MCP servers to fit specific project needs, such as setting working directories to match the VS Code workspace or adding community servers like BrowserTool for web interactions.

  • Seamless Integration with Agent Mode: In VS Code's agent mode, MCP servers extend Cline's abilities for specialized tasks, making it easier to troubleshoot issues (e.g., via logs) and collaborate on large projects.

Overall, MCP servers turn Cline into a more versatile AI agent, bridging the gap between local coding and external ecosystems for faster, more efficient development.Cline is an open-source AI coding assistant extension for Visual Studio Code (VS Code) that integrates with large language models (LLMs) like Claude to help with software development tasks, such as planning, code editing, and file management.

How Cline Uses MCP Servers

Cline leverages Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers as intermediaries to connect its underlying LLM with external tools, data sources, and capabilities. These servers are small, specialized programs or extensions that expose APIs, functions, or resources to the AI agent. In practice, users can configure and manage MCP servers directly within the Cline panel in VS Code—such as by accessing the sidebar icon, opening the menu, and selecting "MCP Servers" to connect to remote servers or install new ones. This integration allows Cline to invoke MCP-provided tools during tasks, where the LLM sends requests to the server for operations like querying databases or calling external APIs, and the server handles the execution while returning results back to the AI for incorporation into the workflow. MCP servers can be official, community-built, or custom, and they're discoverable through marketplaces or GitHub repositories tailored for Cline.

Benefits of MCP Servers for Cline Users

MCP servers significantly expand Cline's functionality beyond basic code generation, enabling more complex and productive workflows. Key benefits include:

  • Access to External Capabilities: Users can integrate tools for web searching, file operations, API invocations, database queries, and more, allowing Cline to handle real-world tasks like fetching live data or automating deployments without leaving VS Code.

  • Enhanced Productivity and Automation: By providing context, prompts, and specialized functions, MCP servers help Cline understand and execute multi-step plans more effectively, reducing manual effort in areas like debugging, testing, or integrating with third-party services.

  • Customization and Flexibility: Developers can configure server settings, manage tools, or even build custom MCP servers to fit specific project needs, such as setting working directories to match the VS Code workspace or adding community servers like BrowserTool for web interactions.

  • Seamless Integration with Agent Mode: In VS Code's agent mode, MCP servers extend Cline's abilities for specialized tasks, making it easier to troubleshoot issues (e.g., via logs) and collaborate on large projects.

Overall, MCP servers turn Cline into a more versatile AI agent, bridging the gap between local coding and external ecosystems for faster, more efficient development.