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Overview

Roo Code is a powerful VS Code AI programming assistant that provides you with a complete AI development team. Its standout feature is multi-mode configuration, allowing you to use different AI models for different development tasks to achieve optimal development efficiency.

Core Advantages
  • 🎯 Multi-Mode Configuration: Assign specialized models for architecture, coding, debugging, and other tasks
  • 🤖 Agent Intelligence: Automatically plan and execute complex development tasks
  • 🔄 Multi-File Operations: Understand project structure and intelligently modify multiple files
  • 💰 Completely Free: Open source and free, only pay for AI model usage
  • 🌐 Wide Compatibility: Supports 200+ mainstream AI models
  • 🔌 MCP Support: Connect external tools via Model Context Protocol
Roo Code vs ClineRoo Code is a fork of Cline, retaining Cline’s core functionality while adding a unique multi-mode configuration system. If you need to use different models for different development stages, Roo Code is the better choice.

Quick Installation

1

Open Extensions Marketplace

Press Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+X (macOS) in VS Code
2

Search and Install

Search for “Roo Code” and click InstallExtension ID: RooVeterinaryInc.roo-cline
3

Open Plugin

After installation, click the Roo Code icon in the left activity bar

Method 2: Open VSX Registry

Visit Open VSX Registry and search for Roo Code to install.

Configure API易

Basic Configuration

1

Open Settings

Click the gear icon (settings button) in the Roo Code sidebar
2

Select API Provider

Choose OpenAI Compatible from the API Provider dropdown
3

Configure Connection Parameters

Base URL: https://api.apiyi.com/v1API Key: Your API易 key (format: sk-***)Model Name: Enter the model name you want to use
4

Save Configuration

Click save, and Roo Code will automatically verify the connection
Base URL Configuration Requirements:
  • Must use https://api.apiyi.com/v1 (includes /v1 path)
  • Do not use https://api.apiyi.com (missing /v1 will cause connection failure)

Get API易 Key

1

Visit API易 Dashboard

Login to api.apiyi.com
2

Create API Key

Go to the “Token Management” page (api.apiyi.com/token) and click “Create New Token”
3

Copy Key

Copy the generated API Key (format: sk-***) and paste it into Roo Code configuration

Multi-Mode Configuration (Core Feature)

Roo Code’s unique feature is the ability to assign different AI models to different development modes for specialized division of labor.

Five Development Modes

Architecture Mode - For system design and architectural planningRecommended Models:
  • Claude Sonnet (strong reasoning, excels at architecture design)
  • GPT-4o (comprehensive technical knowledge)
  • DeepSeek V3 (deep thinking, cost-effective)
Typical Tasks:
Design a microservices architecture for an e-commerce system:
- User service
- Product service
- Order service
- Payment service
Deploy using Docker + Kubernetes

Configure Multi-Mode

1

Open Mode Settings

Find the Mode Configuration section in Roo Code settings
2

Select Model for Each Mode

Configure separately for each mode:
  • API Provider
  • Model Name
  • Temperature (creativity parameter)
  • Max Tokens
3

Switch Modes

In the Roo Code interface, use the mode selector to switch the current mode
Recommended Configuration Strategy:
  • Architect/Orchestrator → Use high-quality models (Claude Sonnet, GPT-4o)
  • Code → Use professional programming models (DeepSeek Coder, Claude Sonnet)
  • Ask → Use fast, economical models (GPT-4o-mini, Gemini Flash)
  • Debug → Use models with strong analytical capabilities (Claude Sonnet, GPT-4o)
Roo Code supports 200+ mainstream AI models through API易, including OpenAI, Google Gemini, Claude, DeepSeek, and domestic models.

View Programming Model Recommendations

View the latest programming model recommendations, performance comparisons, and usage suggestions. Includes detailed classifications like top performance models, cost-effective models, reasoning-enhanced models, and more.
Why Not List Specific Models Here?AI models update and iterate very quickly. To ensure you get the most accurate model recommendations, we maintain the latest model list, performance data, and usage suggestions on the Model Recommendations page.

Core Features

Agent Intelligence Mode

Roo Code’s most powerful feature is Agent Mode, where AI can autonomously plan and execute complex tasks:
Task: Create a complete user authentication system

Roo Code will automatically:
1. Analyze requirements and create implementation plan
2. Create necessary file and directory structure
3. Write backend API code
4. Create frontend login/registration pages
5. Add error handling and validation
6. Generate unit tests
7. Update relevant documentation

Smart Multi-File Editing

Understands project structure and automatically modifies multiple related files:
"Convert all API calls from axios to fetch and update error handling logic"

Roo Code will:
- Find all files using axios
- Convert to fetch API
- Unify error handling patterns
- Update type definitions (if using TypeScript)

Code Generation

# Input description
"""
Create a FastAPI endpoint for user registration:
- Accept email and password
- Validate email format
- Encrypt and store password
- Return JWT token
"""

# Roo Code auto-generates complete implementation
from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException
from passlib.hash import bcrypt
import jwt
# ... complete code implementation

Code Review and Optimization

Review this PR, focusing on:
- Code standards
- Performance issues
- Security vulnerabilities
- Potential bugs
- Readability improvements
Roo Code will provide a detailed review report with improvement suggestions.

Smart Refactoring

Refactor this function, requirements:
- Improve readability
- Optimize performance
- Add error handling
- Improve type safety

Test Generation

Generate comprehensive unit tests for UserService class, including:
- Normal flow tests
- Boundary condition tests
- Error handling tests
- Mock external dependencies

Common Commands

Roo Code provides rich command palette commands:
CommandShortcutFunction
Roo Code: New TaskCtrl+Shift+LStart new task
Roo Code: ContinueEnterContinue current task
Roo Code: ApproveCtrl+EnterApprove AI changes
Roo Code: RejectCtrl+BackspaceReject changes
Roo Code: Clear History-Clear chat history
Roo Code: Switch Mode-Switch development mode
Shortcut Tip: You can customize Roo Code shortcuts in VS Code’s keyboard shortcuts settings.

Advanced Features

API Configuration Profiles

Create different API configuration profiles for different projects or teams:
{
  "roocode.apiProfiles": {
    "production": {
      "provider": "OpenAI Compatible",
      "baseUrl": "https://api.apiyi.com/v1",
      "apiKey": "sk-prod-key",
      "defaultModel": "claude-sonnet-4"
    },
    "development": {
      "provider": "OpenAI Compatible",
      "baseUrl": "https://api.apiyi.com/v1",
      "apiKey": "sk-dev-key",
      "defaultModel": "deepseek-chat"
    }
  }
}

Codebase Indexing

Roo Code automatically indexes your codebase to understand project structure:
  • Auto-discover file relationships
  • Understand code dependencies
  • Intelligent context awareness
  • Cross-file reference tracking

MCP Integration

Connect external tools via Model Context Protocol:
  • Database queries
  • API calls
  • File system operations
  • Git operations
  • Custom tool integration

Custom Prompt Templates

Configure common prompt templates in settings:
{
  "roocode.customTemplates": {
    "codeReview": "Detailed code review, focus on performance, security, maintainability",
    "optimize": "Optimize code performance and readability, add necessary comments",
    "test": "Generate comprehensive unit tests, cover edge cases",
    "refactor": "Refactor code following SOLID principles and design patterns"
  }
}

Usage Tips

1. Provide Clear Context

❌ Vague Description

“Optimize this function”

✅ Clear Description

“Optimize this function’s performance, focus on loop efficiency and memory usage, add appropriate comments explaining the optimization approach”

2. Execute Complex Tasks Step-by-Step

For complex tasks, recommend breaking them into multiple steps:
1

Step 1: Architecture Design

Use Architect Mode to design overall architecture
2

Step 2: Module Implementation

Switch to Code Mode to implement modules
3

Step 3: Debug and Optimize

Use Debug Mode to troubleshoot issues
4

Step 4: Integration Testing

Use Orchestrator Mode to coordinate integration

3. Leverage Mode Switching

Switch to the most appropriate mode for different task types:
  • Need architecture design? → Architect Mode
  • Writing code implementation? → Code Mode
  • Quick consultation? → Ask Mode
  • Encountered a bug? → Debug Mode
  • Complex refactoring? → Orchestrator Mode

4. Review and Approve Changes

Important Habit:
  • Always review AI-generated code before approving
  • Understand the purpose of each change
  • Test modified functionality
  • Maintain codebase consistency

FAQ

Main Differences:
  1. Multi-Mode Configuration: Roo Code’s core feature, not supported by Cline
  2. Codebase: Roo Code is a fork of Cline, but developed independently
  3. Update Frequency: Roo Code updates more frequently with faster feature iteration
  4. Community: Both have active communities but with different focuses
How to Choose:
  • Need multi-mode? → Roo Code
  • Need stability? → Cline
  • Both are free to try, choose what fits you best
Common Causes and Solutions:
  1. Base URL Error:
    • ✅ Correct: https://api.apiyi.com/v1
    • ❌ Wrong: https://api.apiyi.com
  2. Invalid API Key:
    • Check if key is copied correctly (watch for leading/trailing spaces)
    • Confirm sufficient account balance
    • Verify key status is “Enabled”
  3. Wrong Model Name:
    • Ensure correct model name is used
    • Refer to Model List
  4. Network Issues:
    • Check network connection
    • Try restarting VS Code
Configuration Steps:
  1. Open Roo Code settings (gear icon)
  2. Find Mode Configuration section
  3. Configure separately for each mode:
    • Architect Mode → claude-sonnet-4
    • Code Mode → deepseek-coder
    • Ask Mode → gpt-4o-mini
    • Debug Mode → claude-sonnet-4
    • Orchestrator Mode → gpt-4o
  4. Save configuration
When using, switch via the mode selector.
No automatic modification, requires your approval:
  1. Roo Code first displays suggested changes
  2. You can:
    • View Diff (comparison)
    • Approve (Apply) changes
    • Reject changes
    • Modify then approve
  3. All changes are under your control
Recommend enabling version control (Git) so you can revert unsatisfactory changes anytime.
Cost-Saving Strategies:
  1. Smart Model Selection:
    • Use cheaper models for simple tasks (GPT-4o-mini, DeepSeek)
    • Use premium models only for complex tasks (Claude Opus, GPT-4o)
  2. Leverage Multi-Mode Configuration:
    • Ask Mode → Use cheapest models
    • Code/Debug Mode → Use mid-tier professional models
    • Architect Mode → Use premium models only when needed
  3. Recharge Bonuses:
  4. Control Context Length:
    • Clear unnecessary chat history
    • Focus on current task, reduce irrelevant context
Almost all mainstream programming languages, including but not limited to:
  • Web: JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, CSS, React, Vue, Angular
  • Backend: Python, Java, Go, Rust, C++, C#, PHP, Ruby
  • Mobile: Swift, Kotlin, Dart (Flutter), React Native
  • Data: SQL, R, Julia
  • Other: Shell, YAML, JSON, Markdown
Effectiveness depends on:
  • Selected AI model
  • Model’s training data
  • Language popularity

Compare to Other Tools

FeatureRoo CodeClineCursorGitHub Copilot
Multi-Mode Configuration
Agent Mode
Multi-File EditingPartial
Custom API
Free & Open Source
Model Selection200+200+LimitedGitHub Exclusive
Learning CurveMediumMediumLowLow
Selection Guide:
  • Need multi-mode configuration → Roo Code
  • Need stability and maturity → Cline
  • Need simplicity → Cursor
  • GitHub deep integration → GitHub Copilot

Pricing

Roo Code plugin is completely free. You only pay for AI model usage fees. The cost of using AI models through API易 depends on the models you choose and usage volume.

View Detailed Pricing

View detailed pricing and cost-effectiveness comparison for all models
API易 offers recharge bonuses: the more you recharge, the higher the bonus (10%-22%). First-time recharge gets extra bonus. View Recharge Promotion Details.

Get Help

Technical Support

WeChat: 8765058Configuration issues, usage guidance

Email Inquiry

Customer Service: [email protected]Business: [email protected]
Quick Start: Follow the “Quick Installation” and “Configure API易” sections above to start using Roo Code for AI-assisted programming in 5 minutes!