> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cline.bot/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Authorization

> Authenticate with Cline and choose your first AI model

Cline connects to AI models through a **provider**. You have three common paths:

* **Cline (usage-billing)** (recommended): sign in with Google/GitHub/email, no API key setup.
* **ClinePass**: a \$9.99/month subscription provider that offers 2-5x the usage on popular open coding models compared to standard API rate.
* **Bring Your Own Key (BYOK)**: use your own provider credentials (cloud or local runtimes).

## Menu

* [IDE Setup](#ide-setup)
* [CLI Setup](#cli-setup)

## IDE Setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Cline Settings">
    Click the settings icon (⚙️) in the Cline panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Provider">
    Choose your desired provider from the **API Provider** dropdown.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authenticate">
    * **Cline (usage-billing):** Click **Sign In** and complete OAuth.
    * **ClinePass:** Select **ClinePass**, click **Sign In**, and subscribe if prompted.
    * **BYOK cloud provider:** Paste your API key into the **API Key** field.
    * **Local runtime (Ollama/LM Studio):** no key needed; ensure runtime is running.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Model">
    Choose your desired model from the **Model** dropdown.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Provider Options

### Cline (usage-billing)

* One sign-in, no key management
* Built-in billing and free model options
* Access to multiple providers from one account

Add credits in Cline settings or at [app.cline.bot/dashboard](https://app.cline.bot/dashboard).

### ClinePass

* Flat **\$9.99/month** subscription
* 2-5x the usage on popular open coding models compared to standard API rate
* Curated open coding models including GLM, Kimi, DeepSeek, and MiMo

Subscribe from the [ClinePass dashboard](https://app.cline.bot/dashboard/subscription?personal=true), then select **ClinePass** as your provider in Cline. See the [ClinePass guide](/getting-started/clinepass) for included models and reference pricing.

### BYOK (cloud + local)

### Cloud Providers

| Provider | Best For | Setup Guide |
| - | - | - |
| **OpenRouter** | Multiple models, competitive pricing | [Setup](/provider-config/openrouter) |
| **Anthropic** | Direct Claude access | [Setup](/provider-config/anthropic) |
| **Claude Code** | Claude Max/Pro subscription | [Setup](/provider-config/anthropic) |
| **OpenAI** | GPT models | [Setup](/provider-config/openai) |
| **Google Gemini** | Gemini models | [Setup](/provider-config/google-gemini) |
| **AWS Bedrock** | Enterprise | [Setup](/provider-config/aws-bedrock/api-key) |
| **DeepSeek** | Great value | [Setup](/provider-config/deepseek) |

### Local Models

Run models on your own hardware for complete privacy and zero per-request costs.

| Provider | Best For | Setup Guide |
| - | - | - |
| **Ollama** | CLI-based local runtime | [Setup](/running-models-locally/overview#runtime-options) |
| **LM Studio** | GUI-based local runtime | [Setup](/running-models-locally/overview#runtime-options) |

Local models require sufficient hardware (especially GPU memory). See [Running Models Locally](/running-models-locally/overview) for requirements.

## CLI Setup

```bash theme={"system"}
# Authenticate from the terminal
cline auth

# Shorthand
cline a
```

Runs the same auth flow as IDE setup.

## Troubleshooting

| Issue | Fix |
| - | - |
| "Unauthorized: Please sign in" | Session expired. Click **Sign In** to re-authenticate. |
| Browser doesn't open | Check default browser settings. Copy the URL from the Cline output panel manually. |
| Frequent re-authentication | Check org security policies. Ensure you're not clearing IDE secrets. Try a full sign-out/sign-in. |
| Can't access organization | Verify membership at [app.cline.bot](https://app.cline.bot). Ask your admin about permissions. Sign out and back in. |


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