Config DeepSeek in Cline (Roo Code)

Cline (including the Roo Code fork) is the most powerful open-source AI coding agent for VS Code. It can execute commands, create files, and write code autonomously. Paired with DeepSeek V3, it's an unbeatable value champion.

Method 1: Native DeepSeek (Recommended)

Cline now natively supports DeepSeek.

1. Open Settings: Click the Cline icon in VS Code -> Gear icon.
2. API Provider: Select DeepSeek.
3. API Key: Enter your DeepSeek Key (sk-xxxx).
4. Model: deepseek-chat (V3) is recommended.
   • Note: You can manually type deepseek-reasoner for R1, but the agentic loop often confuses the reasoning model, leading to loops. V3 is safer.

Method 2: Local Models (Ollama)

To use local DeepSeek R1 Distill models with Cline:

1. Run Ollama:

   ollama run deepseek-r1:14b

2. Config Cline:
   • API Provider: Select Ollama.
   • Base URL: http://localhost:11434
   • Model: Select the model you just pulled (e.g., deepseek-r1:14b).

Why Cline + DeepSeek?

• Function Calling: DeepSeek V3 excels at tool use, which is critical for Cline's file system operations.
• Cost Efficiency: Autonomous agents burn through tokens fast. DeepSeek's low pricing makes this sustainable for heavy workloads.

FAQ

Q: Agent gets stuck? A: DeepSeek V3 supports 64k context, but Cline might have internal limits. Enable "Cache Prompt" (if available) to save costs and improve context management.

Q: Rate Limits? A: Official API can be busy. Use SiliconFlow via the OpenAI Compatible provider for higher throughput.

• Base URL: https://api.siliconflow.cn/v1
• Model: deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-V3