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Cline tools are executable functions the model can call while working. The model decides which tool to call, Cline runs it, then returns results back to the model.

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Built-In Tools (ClineCore)

When running through ClineCore, these built-ins are available: A session offers editor or apply_patch, never both. By default, Act mode offers apply_patch to GPT and Codex models and to every model on the OpenAI (openai-native) provider, and editor to other models; Plan mode offers neither. SDK callers can replace these defaults with the toolRoutingRules session option.
Agent from @cline/agents does not include built-ins by default. You provide tools explicitly.

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Tool Categories

  • Codebase operations: read_files, search_codebase, editor, apply_patch
  • Execution: run_commands
  • External retrieval: fetch_web_content
  • Skills: skills
  • Human-in-the-loop controls: ask_question
  • Completion: submit_and_exit

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Approval and Policy Controls

Cline can run tools with approval or auto-approval, depending on settings/policies. Typical patterns:
  • Require approval for risky tools (for example run_commands, write/edit operations)
  • Auto-approve low-risk tools (for example read/search operations)
  • Disable specific tools entirely when needed
For policy examples, see SDK Tools and Permission Handling.

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MCP Tools

Cline can also call tools discovered from MCP servers configured in ~/.cline/data/settings/cline_mcp_settings.json. MCP tools are loaded alongside built-ins, so Cline can use both local tools and external integrations in one task. See MCP Overview and SDK Tools → MCP Tools.

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Custom Tools

This feature currently only applies to Cline SDK, CLI, and Kanban. This feature is not applicable on VSCode and JetBrains Extension for now.
Beyond built-ins and MCP, you can create custom tools and add them through plugins.
  • Define tool behavior and input schema in plugin code
  • Register tools during plugin setup
  • Expose those tools to agents alongside built-ins
See:

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Legacy Tool Names vs Current Runtime Tools

Some older docs/examples reference XML-style names like read_file, replace_in_file, execute_command, or use_skill. Current SDK/ClineCore runtime uses the built-in tool names listed above (read_files, apply_patch, run_commands, skills, etc.).