Cline - the most underrated AI code editor

Key Concepts

• Cly Client: An open-source AI agent for code writing and management, customizable with various models, editors, and prompts.
• VS Code: A code editor that Client operates within as an extension.
• Open Router: An API provider offering access to multiple AI models, recommended for use with Client.
• Plan Mode: A Client mode for creating a project plan before execution.
• Act Mode: A Client mode for executing the project plan.
• YOLO Mode (Auto Approve): A Client setting allowing autonomous actions without permission requests.
• MCP (Model Compute Provider): Servers that can be connected to Client.
• Vibe Coding: A coding approach focused on minimizing code and prompt writing, leveraging AI.
• Vibe Sitting: An evolution of vibe coding where the AI autonomously handles most tasks.
• Vibe Learning: Actively learning from AI's actions and errors during vibe coding.
• One-Shotting: Creating an entire application with a single prompt.

Cly Client: The Underrated AI Code Editor

The video introduces Cly Client as a highly customizable, open-source AI agent designed to assist in code writing and management. Unlike standalone applications like Cursor and Windsurf, Client functions as an extension within VS Code, offering greater flexibility. The key differentiator is its open-source nature, allowing users to view its inner workings, fork the project, and contribute to its development. Client has undergone significant updates, introducing features like YOLO mode, MCP marketplace, plan and act cycle, and local browser automation.

Getting Started with Cly Client

The video provides a step-by-step guide to setting up Client:

1. Install VS Code: Download and install VS Code from the official website.
2. Install Cly Client Extension: Open VS Code, navigate to the extensions tab, search for "Cly Client," and install it.
3. Use Your Own API Key: Click on the Client logo on the left sidebar and select "Use your own API key."
4. Create an Open Router Account: Sign up for an account on Open Router (https://openrouter.ai/).
5. Obtain API Key: Navigate to the "Keys" section in Open Router and create a new API key.
6. Paste API Key into VS Code: Copy the API key from Open Router and paste it into the Client settings in VS Code.

Recent Updates and Features

The video highlights recent updates to Client, including:

• Improved Gemini Caching: Enhanced caching for Gemini models, reducing costs.
• Enhanced Checkpoints: More checkpoints in task workflows for easier resetting.
• Project Standards Generation: The /new rule command generates project standards like cursor rules files autonomously.

The video mentions that Client is consistently ranked number one on Open Router for AI model usage.

Building a Chess Game with Cly Client

The video demonstrates Client's capabilities by building a simple chess game using a single prompt: "I want to build a simple game of chess. Create a plan for this. I want to do this in as little code as possible."

1. Plan Mode: The presenter starts in plan mode, where Client generates a detailed plan, including an architecture overview with a visual graph.
2. YOLO Mode (Auto Approve): The presenter enables YOLO mode, granting Client permissions to read/edit project files, execute commands, and use the browser autonomously. A request limit of 10-15 is recommended.
3. Act Mode: Switching to act mode allows Client to execute the plan autonomously.

Client successfully builds a functional chess game, including browser automation to test the code. The total API cost was $2.5 using CL 3.7. The presenter emphasizes that this was achieved with minimal programming experience, demonstrating Client's accessibility.

Building a Minesweeper Game with Cly Client

To further showcase Client's versatility, the presenter creates a Minesweeper game using a single prompt. The process mirrors the chess game example, starting with plan mode and then switching to act mode with YOLO mode enabled. Client successfully generates a working Minesweeper game within the terminal, demonstrating its ability to handle diverse projects.

Vibe Coding and Vibe Learning

The video introduces the concepts of "vibe coding" and "vibe learning." Vibe coding emphasizes minimizing code and prompt writing, leveraging AI to handle most tasks. "Vibe sitting" is presented as the next evolution, where AI autonomously manages projects with minimal user input. Vibe learning involves actively learning from the AI's actions and errors, asking questions to understand the underlying logic and debugging processes.

The New Society Community

The video promotes the New Society community, a platform for individuals interested in AI. The community features a "wins" channel where members share their successes, such as generating $90,000 from an AI startup MVP.

Conclusion

The video concludes that Cly Client is a powerful and underrated AI code editor that empowers users to build applications with minimal coding experience. By leveraging features like plan mode, YOLO mode, and vibe learning, users can significantly accelerate their development process. The presenter encourages viewers to explore Client and its capabilities, emphasizing that AI has made coding accessible to everyone. The video ends with a call to action for viewers to subscribe for more Client-related content, including tutorials on forking Client and connecting MCPs.