# Connect Cline to Axiom

**Transport:** stdio (Cline also supports HTTP/SSE)
**Auth:** local-stdio (Phase 0)
**Status:** Untested — recipe inferred from upstream docs

Cline (formerly Claude Dev) is a VS Code extension that pairs an
agentic coding loop with multiple model providers. It speaks MCP
natively; servers are declared in
`~/Library/Application Support/Code/User/globalStorage/saoudrizwan.claude-dev/settings/cline_mcp_settings.json`
(macOS path; equivalent path on other OSes).

## Install prerequisites

- Cline VS Code extension (search "Cline" in the extensions marketplace).
- Same Axiom prerequisites as the other recipes.

## Configure the connection

Open the Cline panel -> tap the "MCP Servers" icon at the top right ->
"Configure MCP Servers" — this opens the JSON file. Add an entry under
`mcpServers`:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "axiom-root": {
      "command": "/absolute/path/to/.venv/bin/axi",
      "args": ["mcp", "serve"],
      "disabled": false,
      "autoApprove": []
    }
  }
}
```

Worktree variant:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "axiom-root": {
      "command": "/absolute/path/to/.venv/bin/python3",
      "args": ["-m", "axiom.extensions.builtins.mcp.server"],
      "env": {
        "PYTHONPATH": "/absolute/path/to/axiom-checkout/src"
      },
      "disabled": false,
      "autoApprove": []
    }
  }
}
```

Cline accepts an `autoApprove` allow-list of tool names that don't
prompt the user on each call. Safe additions (read-only diagnostics):

```json
"autoApprove": [
  "axiom_node__hooks_list",
  "axiom_federation__node_status",
  "axiom_memory__list"
]
```

## Verify

In the Cline panel, the MCP servers list should show `axiom-root` with a
green dot. Open a Cline chat and ask:

```
Use axiom_node__hooks_list with no args and show me the result.
```

Expected:

```json
{
  "node": "/Users/<you>/.axiom",
  "hooks_total": 0,
  "events_observed": [],
  "by_event": {}
}
```

## Notes

- Cline requires absolute paths in `command` — `~`/`$HOME` expansion
  isn't applied. Use `which axi` and paste the result.
- Cline supports per-server `disabled: true` for keeping the entry but
  not loading it; useful for switching between Axiom nodes.
- Cline reloads MCP servers on settings save; no extension reload
  required.

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red dot, "Failed to start" | wrong python path | Use absolute venv path |
| Tools not appearing | server started but threw on init | Check `~/.axiom/logs/mcp/server.log` |
| AutoApprove ignored | tool name typo | Match exactly; `axi mcp list-tools` for the canonical names |

## References

- ADR-038 §D7
- Cline MCP docs: https://docs.cline.bot/mcp/configuring-mcp-servers

_Copyright (c) 2026 B-Tree Ventures, LLC. Apache-2.0 licensed._
