# Switch from Cursor to Cline

> Developers want an open-source VS Code agent with BYOK pricing and explicit approval of each action.

Source: https://ai.dosa.dev/switch/cursor-to-cline · CLI & Open-Source BYOK · Updated 2026-10-15 · Published by dosa.dev

## Why switch

Developers want an open-source VS Code agent with BYOK pricing and explicit approval of each action. Shifts from a fixed $8/mo seat to pay-as-you-go API tokens.

## Cost delta

| | Cursor | Cline |
|---|---|---|
| Entry paid plan | Plus ($8/mo) | — |
| Per-seat monthly delta | −$8 | |
| 10-dev team annual delta | −$960 | |

Shifts from a fixed $8/mo seat to pay-as-you-go API tokens. Model it: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/cost-calculator?team=10&seats=none&preset=daily

## Config migration

- Cursor rules: `.cursor/rules/*.mdc`
- Cline rules: `.clinerules`
- Convert with the Rules Converter: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/rules-converter?from=cursor-mdc&to=clinerules

## 4-step checklist

1. **Audit & export your Cursor rules** — Cursor reads repo-level rules from .cursor/rules/*.mdc. Convert them to .clinerules with the Rules Converter, then review the output before committing. (https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/rules-converter?from=cursor-mdc&to=clinerules)
2. **Install & configure Cline** — Download Cline from the official site. Pricing: Freemium. (https://github.com/cline/cline?utm_source=ai.dosa.dev&utm_medium=referral)
3. **Adapt your daily workflow (AI IDEs → IDE Plugins)** — You trade a managed subscription for a bring-your-own-key setup — configure provider credentials and watch token spend instead of seat count. Cline is best for developers needing a true coding agent that can handle complex, multi-file refactoring, execute terminal commands, and follow project-specific coding rules defined in.clinerules.
4. **Run a one-week parallel pilot, then reallocate seats** — Shifts from a fixed $8/mo seat to pay-as-you-go API tokens. Keep Cursor active for one sprint while Cline handles new tasks; cancel seats only after velocity holds. (https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/cost-calculator?team=10&seats=none&preset=daily)

## What you gain

- Cline is best for developers needing a true coding agent that can handle complex, multi-file refactoring, execute terminal commands, and follow project-specific coding rules defined in.clinerules.
- Plan and Act modes for strategy alignment and autonomous execution.
- Multi-file codebase awareness and refactoring.
- Support for wide-ranging AI providers including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and local models.

## What you give up

- Cursor is positioned for developers looking for a deep-integrated AI coding experience that can manage long-running tasks, codebase context, and autonomous feature building. — confirm Cline covers that before cancelling seats.
- Cline is not ideal for users seeking simple code autocompletion tools, as Cline is designed as an agentic partner for complex tasks rather than a lightweight syntax-suggestion engine.

Running both: Many teams run both: keep Cursor for ai ides work and use Cline for ide plugins tasks during the transition.

## Spec sheet

| | [Cursor](https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/cursor) | [Cline](https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/cline) |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Anysphere | Cline |
| Category | AI-Native IDEs & Editors | IDE Extensions & Plugins |
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| Entry paid plan | Plus ($8/mo) | — |
| Rules file | .cursor/rules/*.mdc | .clinerules |

## FAQ

### How do I convert my Cursor rules to Cline?

Cursor reads .cursor/rules/*.mdc and Cline reads .clinerules. Run them through the Rules Converter (https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/rules-converter?from=cursor-mdc&to=clinerules) and review the output before committing.

### Is Cline cheaper than Cursor?

Cursor starts at Plus ($8/mo); Cline has no listed per-seat plan. Shifts from a fixed $8/mo seat to pay-as-you-go API tokens.

### What do I lose when switching from Cursor to Cline?

Cursor is positioned for developers looking for a deep-integrated AI coding experience that can manage long-running tasks, codebase context, and autonomous feature building. — confirm Cline covers that before cancelling seats. Cline is not ideal for users seeking simple code autocompletion tools, as Cline is designed as an agentic partner for complex tasks rather than a lightweight syntax-suggestion engine.

### Can I use Cursor and Cline together?

Many teams run both: keep Cursor for ai ides work and use Cline for ide plugins tasks during the transition.

## Links

- Cursor review: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/cursor
- Cline review: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/cline
- Rules Converter: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/rules-converter?from=cursor-mdc&to=clinerules
- Cost calculator: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/cost-calculator?team=10&seats=none&preset=daily