Cline v3.28: Free Grok Extended + GPT-5 Optimized
xAI extends free Grok access while we ship GPT-5 optimizations that actually matter for real coding tasks.
TLDR
Today was supposed to be the day free access to grok-code-fast-1 ended. xAI extended it. We don't know for how long :)
Meanwhile, we've been fine-tuning how Cline works with GPT-5, notably, we've optimized the prompt specifically for how GPT-5 handles multi-step coding tasks which require accurate tool-calling.
Grok stays free
xAI built grok-code-fast-1 from scratch for agentic coding. It's been performing well in Cline, particularly on diff edits where we're seeing consistent improvements since its initial release from the xAI team.
The speed changes how you work. Instead of crafting perfect prompts, you give it quick tasks and iterate. The model understands commands like grep, terminal operations, and file editing without explanation.
To use Grok in Cline:
- Select the Cline provider in your model settings.
- Choose
grok-code-fast-1from the available models. - Start coding at zero cost.
GPT-5 optimization
We've improved the GPT-5 prompt in Cline. The model now handles multi-step coding tasks better, maintains context across longer sessions, and follows instructions more reliably.
We're really bullish on this model, and it's priced at $1.25/$10 per 1M tokens (well-below $3/$15 for Sonnet-4).
Other updates
- ESC key now cancels operations consistently throughout the interface
- API provider dropdown actually searches now
/deep-planninghandles Windows/PowerShell environments properly- Real-time task history sync across all Cline instances
- Ollama custom prompt support
- Dify.ai integration
- DeepSeek-V3.1 on SambaNova
Happy coding!
-Nick
Update to Cline v3.28 now to get extended free Grok access and optimized GPT-5 performance. Join the discussion on Reddit or Discord to share your experience with these improvements.
