Directory / Roo Code
Roo Code
Verified
Cline fork aimed at modes, automation, and teams.
Roo Code is an open-source VS Code coding agent that began as a Cline fork and then built its own modes, automation, and product surface. It still runs in the editor, talks to models you configure, and can execute commands. Governance and packaging differ from Cline; treat them as sibling products, not aliases.
- Model independence
- Multi-model
- Deployment
- Self-hosted
- Open source
- Yes
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Pricing model
- Mixed
- Added / updated
- 19 Aug 2026 / 19 Aug 2026
roocode.com · Docs · Source
Editorial take
Roo is the fork that leaned into modes and automation while Cline leaned into a cleaner core. That is a real fork, not branding. If you need unattended-ish runs from VS Code, Roo’s automation story is why people switch. If you need a small readable agent, stay on Cline. Neither is a sandbox.
Strengths
- Modes and automation beyond a single chat agent.
- Still open source with bring-your-own models.
- Active fork with its own docs and product site, not a dead mirror.
Limitations
- Fork drift. Skills and configs do not always port from Cline.
- Still an editor plugin, not a fleet control plane.
- Verify the current license file; community forks have relicensed before.
Compare
- vs cline — Sibling VS Code agent forks that diverged on product and governance.