# Cline

[<mark style="color:blue;">Cline</mark>](https://github.com/cline/cline) is an open-source AI coding agent for VS Code that supports autonomous multi-step tasks, MCP tool use, and a built-in MCP marketplace. Cline stores its MCP configuration in a separate JSON file from VS Code's own MCP config.

## Prerequisites

* VS Code with the [<mark style="color:blue;">Cline extension</mark>](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=saoudrizwan.claude-dev) installed
* The `ionoscloud-mcp` binary on your `PATH`. For more information, see [<mark style="color:blue;">Quick Start</mark>](/cloud/ai/mcp-server/quick-start.md)
* An <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud\_api</code> token. For least-privilege access, see [<mark style="color:blue;">Authentication</mark>](/cloud/ai/mcp-server/configuration/authentication.md#token-scope-by-product-area) to scope the token to only the tools you need.

## Add the MCP server

Open or create the Cline MCP settings file:

* **macOS:** `~/Library/Application Support/Code/User/globalStorage/saoudrizwan.claude-dev/settings/cline_mcp_settings.json`
* **Windows:** `%APPDATA%\Code\User\globalStorage\saoudrizwan.claude-dev\settings\cline_mcp_settings.json`
* **Linux:** `~/.config/Code/User/globalStorage/saoudrizwan.claude-dev/settings/cline_mcp_settings.json`

Add the following entry:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ionoscloud": {
      "command": "/usr/local/bin/ionoscloud-mcp",
      "args": [],
      "env": {
        "IONOS_TOKEN": "your-api-token"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

Replace `your-api-token` with your <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud\_api</code> token. On Windows, set `"command"` to `C:\\bin\\ionoscloud-mcp.exe`.

To also enable Object Storage tools, add the Object Storage credentials:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ionoscloud": {
      "command": "/usr/local/bin/ionoscloud-mcp",
      "args": [],
      "env": {
        "IONOS_TOKEN": "your-api-token",
        "IONOS_S3_ACCESS_KEY": "your-access-key",
        "IONOS_S3_SECRET_KEY": "your-secret-key"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** On **VS Code Insiders**, replace `Code` with `Code - Insiders` in the path. On **VSCodium**, use `VSCodium` instead.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Cline uses its own `cline_mcp_settings.json` file, separate from VS Code's `.vscode/mcp.json`. Both can coexist; changes to one do not affect the other.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Warning:** Keep credentials secure. Never commit this file to version control.

* **macOS/Linux:** Restrict file permissions: `chmod 600 "<path-to-cline_mcp_settings.json>"`
* **Windows:** Right-click the file, select **Properties** > **Security**, and restrict access to your user account only.
  {% endhint %}

## Verify the connection

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Reload the Cline extension

Save the settings file. Open the VS Code Command Palette (**Cmd+Shift+P** / **Ctrl+Shift+P**) and run **Developer: Reload Window**, or toggle the Cline MCP server off and on in the Cline sidebar under **MCP Servers**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Test in Cline

Open a new Cline chat and type: *List my* <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud</code> *data centers.*

{% hint style="success" %}
**Result:** Cline calls `list_datacenters` and returns your data centers. A green indicator next to `ionoscloud` in the Cline MCP Servers panel confirms the server is active.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** All tools are registered at startup by default, so Compute Engine and Object Storage tools appear immediately. To reduce the startup tool count (for example, on clients with a tool-count cap), set `IONOS_MCP_LOAD_MODE=lazy` in the `env` block and call the `ionos_load_compute_tools` or `ionos_load_objectstorage_tools` sentinels on demand. For more information, see [<mark style="color:blue;">Selective Tool Loading</mark>](/cloud/ai/mcp-server/configuration/selective-tool-loading.md).
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** If the `ionoscloud-mcp` binary is not in `/usr/local/bin`, update the `command` value to match. Run `which ionoscloud-mcp` to confirm the path.

If the server does not appear as connected, see [<mark style="color:blue;">Troubleshooting</mark>](/cloud/ai/mcp-server/troubleshooting.md).
{% endhint %}

For full Cline MCP documentation, see [<mark style="color:blue;">docs.cline.bot/mcp</mark>](https://docs.cline.bot/mcp/adding-and-configuring-servers).


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/ai/mcp-server/connect-to-an-ai-client/cline.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.