If you prefer working inside VS Code, Cline brings an AI coding agent into the editor — and it pairs nicely with GLM, since the GLM Coding Plan explicitly supports Cline. You get a visual plan-and-approve workflow on a cheap backend, with no terminal and no WSL required.
This is the GLM + Cline setup on Windows. For the same approach with DeepSeek, see DeepSeek + Cline in VS Code.
Step 1: Install Cline
In VS Code, open Extensions, search Cline, and install. A Cline icon appears in the sidebar.
Step 2: Get a Z.AI key or plan
Sign up at Z.AI for an API key, via pay-per-token or the GLM Coding Plan (from $18/month, and built to work with Cline).
Step 3: Configure the provider
Open Cline’s settings and set:
Cline settings for GLM
| API Provider | OpenAI Compatible |
|---|---|
| Base URL | https://api.z.ai/api/paas/v4 |
| API Key | your Z.AI key |
| Model ID | glm-5-turbo (or glm-5) |
Choose OpenAI Compatible, paste the base URL and key, set the model, and save. Cline now runs on GLM. Confirm the exact base URL in Z.AI’s docs.
Step 4: Plan, then Act
Cline’s two modes:
- Plan — the model outlines its approach first for you to approve.
- Act — it edits files and runs commands, showing diffs.
Start non-trivial tasks in Plan mode to keep a cheaper model focused and avoid wasted edits (and, on a coding plan, wasted prompts against your window).
Pick the model
glm-5-turbo— fast, cheap, all plans. Best default.glm-5— flagship, Pro plan, for hard tasks.glm-4.7— solid alternative on all plans.
Switch the Model ID in settings anytime. See GLM-4.6 vs GLM-5 vs GLM-5-Turbo.
Pricing
Cline is free; GLM bills via pay-per-token or the GLM Coding Plan (rolling-window caps, commonly per 5 hours). For heavy in-editor use, the plan is usually cheaper. See GLM Coding Plan setup.
Troubleshooting
- Format errors — you used
/anthropic; switch to the OpenAI (paas/v4) URL. - Auth errors — wrong key or stray spaces when pasting.
- Access denied on glm-5 — your plan tier doesn’t include it; use
glm-5-turbo. - No diffs — you’re in Plan mode; switch to Act to apply changes.
GLM + Cline checklist
- Cline installed in VS Code
- Z.AI key or GLM Coding Plan active
- Provider set to OpenAI Compatible
- Base URL (paas/v4) and key entered
- Model set to glm-5-turbo; tested in Plan mode
Wrapping up
GLM with Cline gives you an in-editor agent on a cheap backend: install the extension, pick OpenAI Compatible, set Z.AI’s OpenAI base URL and key, and choose glm-5-turbo. Use Plan mode to keep edits focused — good for results and for stretching a coding plan’s window.
Prefer the terminal? See GLM + OpenCode or run GLM-5 with Claude Code.
