Cline / AI Coding Tools

Cline CLI 'Unknown or disabled provider openai' with OpenAI-Compatible Endpoint

Fix Cline CLI error 'Unknown or disabled provider openai' when using OpenAI-compatible endpoint Includes evidence for Cline troubleshooting demand.

Source-backed Last updated May 14, 2026 1 source Needs local verification

Category: AI Coding Tools
Error signature: Error: Unknown or disabled provider "openai"
Quick fix: Compare the failing environment with a known working setup, then change one configuration value at a time.
Updated: May 14, 2026
Verification status: Source-backed
Evidence: 1 public source URL

Before you change production

This page includes public source URLs in the imported troubleshooting record. Compare those references with your version and environment before applying changes.

Reproduce the smallest failing action and save non-secret logs before changing configuration.
Check versions for Cline, related SDKs, package managers, CI runners, and hosting providers.
Change one setting or dependency at a time, then rerun the same failing command or request.
Avoid destructive commands, credential rotation, billing changes, or security relaxations without a rollback plan.

What this error means

Error: Unknown or disabled provider "openai" is a Cline failure pattern reported for developers trying to fix cline cli error 'unknown or disabled provider openai' when using openai-compatible endpoint. Based on the imported evidence, treat this as a tool-specific troubleshooting page rather than a generic API error.

Why this happens

Cline CLI v3.0.0 reports 'Error: Unknown or disabled provider openai' when configured with an OpenAI-compatible endpoint. Works in VSCode extension but fails in CLI. Configuration mismatch issue.

Common causes

Cline CLI reports 'Unknown or disabled provider openai' even though the same endpoint works fine in the VSCode plugin. Configuration difference between CLI and extension causes confusion.
Cline CLI v3.0.0 reports 'Error: Unknown or disabled provider openai' when configured with an OpenAI-compatible endpoint. Works in VSCode extension but fails in CLI. Configuration mismatch issue.

Quick fixes

Confirm the exact error signature matches Error: Unknown or disabled provider "openai".
Check the Cline account, local tool state, and provider configuration involved in the failing workflow.
Compare the failing environment with a known working setup, then change one configuration value at a time.

Platform/tool-specific checks

Verify the command, editor, extension, or API client that produced the error.
Compare local settings with CI, deployment, or editor-level settings when the error appears in only one environment.
Avoid deleting credentials, local model data, or project settings until the failing scope is clear.

Step-by-step troubleshooting

Capture the exact error message and the command, editor action, or request that triggered it.
Check whether the failure is account/auth, quota/rate, model/provider, local runtime, or deployment configuration.
Review the source evidence below and compare it with your environment.
Apply one change at a time and rerun the smallest failing action.
Keep the working fix documented for the team or deployment environment.

How to prevent it

Keep provider/tool configuration documented.
Record non-secret diagnostics such as tool version, provider name, model name, and command path.
Add a lightweight check before CI or production workflows depend on the tool.

Diagnostic flow for this page

Match Error: Unknown or disabled provider "openai" exactly before applying the quick fix.
Compare the failing environment with Cline versions, account scope, provider settings, and deployment context.
Check the listed common causes in order, starting with the cause that best matches your logs.
Use the evidence status below to decide whether to confirm against public sources or official documentation.
Apply one reversible change, rerun the smallest failing action, and keep rollback notes.

FAQ

What does Error: Unknown or disabled provider "openai" mean in Cline?

Error: Unknown or disabled provider "openai" indicates the workflow described by "Cline CLI 'Unknown or disabled provider openai' with OpenAI-Compatible Endpoint" failed in a AI Coding Tools context. Start by confirming the exact signature and the component that emitted it.

What should I check first for Error: Unknown or disabled provider "openai"?

Check whether this cause matches your environment: Cline CLI reports 'Unknown or disabled provider openai' even though the same endpoint works fine in the VSCode plugin. Configuration difference between CLI and extension causes confusion.

Is the Error: Unknown or disabled provider "openai" guidance source-backed?

The "Cline CLI 'Unknown or disabled provider openai' with OpenAI-Compatible Endpoint" page is labeled source-backed. It has 1 public source URL from github.com, so use that evidence status when deciding how much additional verification you need.

When should I avoid the quick fix for Error: Unknown or disabled provider "openai"?

For "Cline CLI 'Unknown or disabled provider openai' with OpenAI-Compatible Endpoint", avoid applying "Compare the failing environment with a known working setup, then change one configuration value at a time." when the error text differs, the affected version or provider is different, or the change would touch credentials, billing, DNS, production deploy settings, or irreversible data.

What should I collect before debugging Error: Unknown or disabled provider "openai"?

For "Cline CLI 'Unknown or disabled provider openai' with OpenAI-Compatible Endpoint", collect the failing Cline command or request, non-secret configuration, versions, timestamps, request IDs when available, and the smallest reproduction that still triggers the signature.