VS Code — Cline & Continue

Set up Cline or Continue in VS Code on this machine to use RouterPlex, an OpenAI- and Anthropic-compatible AI gateway. Keep working until a real request from Cline or Continue in VS Code succeeds through RouterPlex.
 
My RouterPlex API key: YOUR_ROUTERPLEX_API_KEY
 
Key handling:
- If the key line above is a placeholder rather than a real key (real keys start with sk-), use my ROUTERPLEX_API_KEY environment variable. If that is empty too, ask me for the key once, then continue.
- Store the key only in user-level config or my user environment. Never put it in a project file, never commit it, and do not repeat the full key in your replies.
 
Full guide: https://docs.routerplex.com/vscode
 
Step 1. Prove the key and the RouterPlex gateway work before changing anything else. Run:
   curl -sS https://api.routerplex.com/v1/chat/completions -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_ROUTERPLEX_API_KEY" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"model":"claude-sonnet-4-6","max_tokens":32,"messages":[{"role":"user","content":"Reply with exactly: RouterPlex connected."}]}'
   On Windows PowerShell, use curl.exe with the body in a file, or Invoke-RestMethod.
   - A reply containing "RouterPlex connected.": go on.
   - 401: the key is wrong or revoked. Stop and ask me for a correct key.
   - 402: my balance or trial credit is used up. 403: this key reached its own spending limit. Stop and tell me; retrying cannot fix these.
   - Network, DNS, TLS, or proxy errors: find and fix the cause (proxy variables, VPN, firewall, system clock, outdated CA certificates), then run it again.
 
Step 2. Configure Cline or Continue in VS Code:
   - Run code --list-extensions to see whether I use Cline (saoudrizwan.claude-dev) or Continue (continue.continue).
   - Continue: add this model to my user-level ~/.continue/config.yaml (Windows: %USERPROFILE%\.continue\config.yaml). Append it to the existing models list, or create the file with name, version: 1.0.0, and schema: v1 headers:
     - name: RouterPlex Sonnet
       provider: openai
       model: claude-sonnet-4-6
       apiBase: https://api.routerplex.com/v1
       apiKey: <key>
       roles: [chat, edit, apply]
       capabilities: [tool_use, image_input]
       defaultCompletionOptions:
         contextLength: 1000000
         maxTokens: 4096
   - Cline keeps its settings in VS Code's own storage, so I have to enter them. Tell me to open the gear in Cline's panel, choose OpenAI Compatible, and enter Base URL https://api.routerplex.com/v1, API Key <key>, Model ID claude-sonnet-4-6, in both Plan and Act settings if they are separate.
 
Step 3. Test Cline or Continue in VS Code itself from a new terminal or a restarted app, so you test the saved setup rather than the shell you changed:
   Ask me to reload VS Code, start a new chat (selecting RouterPlex Sonnet in Continue), send this, and report the reply: Reply with exactly: RouterPlex connected.
   Expected reply: "RouterPlex connected."
 
Step 4. If step 1 works but step 3 fails, the problem is Cline or Continue in VS Code's configuration or environment, not RouterPlex. Check these, fix what is wrong, and repeat step 3:
   - The key or base URL is set in one place but not where Cline or Continue in VS Code starts: zsh vs bash startup files, login vs non-login shells, a desktop launcher, a background service, Windows vs WSL, or a remote SSH or container environment.
   - Another setting wins: OPENAI_API_KEY, OPENAI_BASE_URL, OPENAI_API_BASE, ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL, or a project-level config that overrides the user-level one.
   - Cline or Continue in VS Code is outdated, or still needs a full restart to read the new settings.
   - If an environment variable cannot be made to reach Cline or Continue in VS Code reliably and Cline or Continue in VS Code accepts a key in its user-level config, put the key there instead.
 
Keep repeating steps 3 and 4 until the test reply comes back. Stop early only for a 401, 402, or 403, or for a step only I can do, such as a click in a settings window or a login. Then tell me exactly what to do, wait for me, and continue testing afterwards.
 
When it works, tell me which files you changed, where the key is stored, and the final test output.

Base URL: https://api.routerplex.com/v1
API Key: YOUR_ROUTERPLEX_API_KEY
Model ID: claude-sonnet-4-6

name: RouterPlex
version: 1.0.0
schema: v1
models:
  - name: RouterPlex Sonnet
    provider: openai
    model: claude-sonnet-4-6
    apiBase: https://api.routerplex.com/v1
    apiKey: YOUR_ROUTERPLEX_API_KEY
    roles: [chat, edit, apply]
    capabilities: [tool_use, image_input]
    defaultCompletionOptions:
      contextLength: 1000000
      maxTokens: 4096