cline:ROSE api - chunhualiao/public-docs GitHub Wiki

cline

I use VS Code + cline for coding. sometimes the code I want AI to generate has to use specific API functions, such as the ROSE compiler SageInterface or SageBuilder functions. Does cline provide some connection to some code search interface so it can automatically find best example codes using ROSE api before generating the code I want?

Grok

Cline is a VS Code extension that acts as an autonomous AI coding agent, and it does provide capabilities for searching and referencing code examples, though not through a dedicated, specialized code search interface like a direct GitHub API integration. Instead, it leverages built-in tools to handle this, which can be used to find examples for specific APIs like those in the ROSE compiler (e.g., SageInterface or SageBuilder). Here's a breakdown:

Internal Codebase Search

  • Cline has a search_files tool that allows regex-based searches across your project's files. This can help locate existing examples or patterns within your codebase that use the ROSE API.
  • It also analyzes your project's file structure, source code ASTs (Abstract Syntax Trees), and relevant files to understand context before generating or editing code. This happens automatically in its planning phase for complex tasks, helping it reference internal examples without manual intervention.

External Search for API Examples

  • For external resources like ROSE API examples (which are often found in documentation, GitHub repos, or forums), Cline uses its browser tool. This is a key feature that lets it:
    • Launch a headless browser.
    • Perform actions like searching (e.g., querying Google or GitHub for "ROSE compiler SageInterface example"), clicking links, typing, scrolling, and reading content.
    • Capture screenshots, console logs, or convert web pages to markdown via the @url command for quick access to documentation.
  • This browser integration enables Cline to fetch the latest examples or API references from the web, which is particularly useful for niche tools like ROSE.

Automatic Searching Before Code Generation

  • Yes, Cline can automatically incorporate searches as part of its workflow, especially in "Plan Mode" for complex tasks. When you request code generation involving the ROSE API, the agent plans steps ahead, which may include:
    • Analyzing your codebase (automatic internal search).
    • Using the browser to look up examples if the LLM determines it's needed for better accuracy (e.g., to avoid hallucinations or ensure best practices).
  • However, this isn't always fully automatic without prompting—it depends on how you phrase your request (e.g., "Generate code using SageBuilder, and reference examples from ROSE docs first"). The agent operates with your permission at each step, so it will propose using the browser or search tools, and you approve before proceeding.
  • You can extend this further with custom tools via the Model Context Protocol (MCP) marketplace, where you could create or install a tool specifically for API example searches (e.g., integrating with a code search engine).

If the ROSE API isn't well-represented in the underlying LLM's training data, prompting Cline to search explicitly will yield better results. For setup or more details, check the official docs at cline.bot or the GitHub repo. If this doesn't fully meet your needs, alternatives like GitHub Copilot or Cursor might offer more direct code search integrations via their ecosystems.