using-cline-cli

name: using-cline-cli description: "Operate Cline CLI safely: core concepts, sandbox rules, provider/model selection, approvals, and common workflows" when_to_use: when setting up or driving Cline from the CLI, switching models/providers, handling sandbox/approvals, or troubleshooting blocked commands version: 1.0.0 allowed-tools: [Read, Write, Execute, Search] compatibility: runtimes: [Codex CLI] notes: assumes workspace-write sandbox; approvals required for escalated commands or network installs

Using Cline CLI

Use this skill to run Cline effectively from the CLI, keep commands safe under sandboxing, and pick inference providers/models.

Core Concepts

• Roles: System/dev instructions set guardrails; user asks; you execute within sandboxed shell unless approved otherwise.
• Sandbox: Default workspace-write; writing outside writable roots or network installs needs approval (escalated run).
• Approvals: Destructive ops (rm -rf, git reset --hard), networked installs, GUI apps, or writes outside roots require sandbox_permissions: require_escalated + short justification in tool call.
• Tools: Execute runs shell commands; keep workdir explicit; prefer rg for search; avoid cd chains—set workdir instead.
• Memory/Context: Keep responses concise; reference paths with backticks; no raw URLs unless asked; cite sources when web-searching.

Quick Commands

• List files: ls, ls -la.
• Search text fast: rg pattern path.
• View file: sed -n '1,160p' file.
• Edit file: use apply_patch for targeted edits; avoid for autogenerated files.
• Run tests/linters: npm test, pytest, etc.—ensure workdir set; mention if sandbox blocks writes.

Provider / Model Selection

• Prefer repository or skill-specified model; fall back to default if unavailable.
• If switching providers (e.g., OpenAI ↔ Anthropic ↔ local), note token/env var needs; avoid changing unless requested.
• Be explicit when using non-default model; mention trade-offs (speed vs. quality) briefly.

Working with Tabs and Files

• Respect active/open tabs context; address the active file first when relevant.
• Reference files as path:line (no ranges, no URIs).
• Don’t dump large files; show relevant slices.

Safety Rules

• Never run destructive git commands unless explicitly asked.
• Do not revert user changes you didn’t make.
• For commands that fail due to sandbox, retry with approval parameters instead of asking first.
• No network installs unless required and approved.

Common Workflows

Edit flow

1. Inspect file (sed -n), 2) Plan change (brief), 3) apply_patch, 4) Re-open snippet to verify.

Search flow

1. rg 'pattern' src/, 2) narrow with rg -n, 3) edit.

Run/check flow

1. npm test / pytest with workdir set, 2) summarize failures, 3) propose fixes.

Troubleshooting

• Command not found: ensure correct shell, check PATH; if missing tool, note and propose install (needs approval).
• Permission denied / sandbox: rerun with sandbox_permissions: require_escalated + justification; keep scope minimal.
• Large outputs: truncate (| head -n 200); summarize rather than paste.
• Model mismatch: if instructions require a model not available, state fallback used.

Agent Etiquette

• Be concise; avoid redundant summaries.
• Suggest next steps only when natural (tests, commits).
• Keep citations outside code fences; cite up-to-date info when web searching.