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Networking and Proxies

docs/troubleshooting/networking-and-proxies.mdx

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If you're working behind a corporate proxy or firewall, you'll need to configure proxy settings for Cline to connect to AI providers. The configuration varies depending on which version of Cline you're using.

VSCode Extension

The VSCode extension automatically uses VSCode's built-in proxy settings. See Network Connections in Visual Studio Code, Proxy server support for instructions on how to set up proxies in VSCode. No additional configuration is needed for Cline itself.

CLI

The Cline CLI uses standard HTTP proxy environment variables. Configure these before running cline commands.

Basic Configuration

Windows (Command Prompt)

cmd
set https_proxy=http://proxy.company.com:8080
set http_proxy=http://proxy.company.com:8080
cline start

Windows (PowerShell)

powershell
$env:https_proxy="http://proxy.company.com:8080"
$env:http_proxy="http://proxy.company.com:8080"
cline start

macOS/Linux

bash
export https_proxy=http://proxy.company.com:8080
export http_proxy=http://proxy.company.com:8080
cline start

Proxy with Authentication

If your proxy requires authentication, include credentials in the URL:

bash
export https_proxy=http://username:[email protected]:8080
export http_proxy=http://username:[email protected]:8080
<Warning> Storing credentials in environment variables can be a security risk. </Warning>

Bypass Proxy for Localhost

To prevent localhost traffic from going through the proxy, set the no_proxy environment variable:

Windows

cmd
set no_proxy=localhost,127.0.0.1,.local

macOS/Linux

bash
export no_proxy=localhost,127.0.0.1,.local

Custom Certificate Authority

If your proxy uses a custom CA certificate:

Windows

cmd
set NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS=C:\path\to\ca-certificate.crt
cline start

macOS/Linux

bash
export NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS=/path/to/ca-certificate.pem
cline start

Permanent Configuration

To avoid setting these variables every time, add them to your shell profile or system environment variables.

macOS/Linux (add to ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, or ~/.profile):

bash
# Proxy configuration
export https_proxy=http://proxy.company.com:8080
export http_proxy=http://proxy.company.com:8080
export no_proxy=localhost,127.0.0.1,.local
export NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS=/path/to/ca-certificate.pem

Windows (System Environment Variables):

  1. Search for "Environment Variables" in Windows Settings
  2. Add the variables under "User variables" or "System variables"
  3. Restart your terminal or IDE

Known Limitations

Cline CLI only supports HTTP proxies. It does not support SOCKS proxies, proxy autoconfiguration (PAC) scripts, or HTTP proxies which require authentication beyond a basic username and password.

JetBrains IDEs

The JetBrains plugin uses the IDE's HTTP proxy settings.

Configure JetBrains Proxy

  1. Open Settings/Preferences:

    • Windows/Linux: File > Settings
    • macOS: IntelliJ IDEA > Preferences
    • Or press Ctrl+Alt+S (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+, (macOS)

  2. Navigate to:

    Appearance & Behavior > System Settings > HTTP Proxy

  3. Select "Manual proxy configuration"

  4. Configure your proxy:

    • Host name: proxy.company.com
    • Port number: 8080
    • No proxy for: localhost,127.0.0.1
    • Check "Proxy authentication" if required
    • Enter your username and password

  5. Click "Check connection" to verify the settings

  6. Click "OK" to apply

  7. Restart the IDE

Test Connection

After configuring the proxy, test that Cline can connect to your AI provider:

  1. Open the Cline panel
  2. Try sending a simple message
  3. If connection fails, check the IDE's Event Log for error messages

Custom Certificate Authority

If your proxy uses a custom CA:

  1. Add the certificate to your system's trust store, or
  2. Import it into the JetBrains IDE:
    • Settings > Tools > Server Certificates
    • Click "+" to add your certificate

Known Limitations

Cline in JetBrains only supports HTTP proxies. It does not support SOCKS proxies, proxy autoconfiguration (PAC) scripts, or HTTP proxies which require authentication beyond a basic username and password.

Cline does not pick up changed proxy settings dynamically. After changing proxy settings, restart the IDE for Cline to use the new settings.

Troubleshooting

Connection Timeouts

If you're experiencing connection timeouts:

  1. Verify your proxy address and port are correct
  2. Check if the proxy requires authentication
  3. Ensure the AI provider's API endpoints aren't blocked by your firewall

SSL/TLS Certificate Errors

If you see certificate-related errors:

  1. Check that NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS points to the correct certificate file
  2. Ensure the certificate file is in PEM format
  3. Use curl to verify the certificate works, for example, curl -x proxy.corp.example:8080 --cacert /path/to/ca-cert.pem -o - -vv https://api.cline.bot/
  4. Consider disabling http.proxyStrictSSL in VSCode (not recommended for production)

Testing Proxy Configuration

If you encounter problems with Cline networking, first verify your proxy configuration works using curl:

bash
# Linux/macOS
export https_proxy=http://proxy.company.com:8080
curl -vv https://api.anthropic.com

# Windows PowerShell
$env:https_proxy="http://proxy.company.com:8080"
curl.exe -vv https://api.anthropic.com

Use --cacert $NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS to specify a certificate if necessary.

Next, check ~/.cline/cline-core-service.log (CLI, JetBrains) for log messages confirming your proxy configuration and any network-related errors.

Common Proxy Patterns

Authenticated HTTPS Proxy

bash
export https_proxy=http://username:[email protected]:8080
export NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS=/path/to/ca-cert.pem

Proxy with No Authentication

bash
export https_proxy=http://proxy.company.com:8080
export http_proxy=http://proxy.company.com:8080

Proxy with Bypass Rules

bash
export https_proxy=http://proxy.company.com:8080
export no_proxy=localhost,127.0.0.1,.company.local,192.168.0.0/16