How to Use DeepSeek v4 Flash Free in VS Code

Want to use DeepSeek directly inside VS Code without paying for API credits? In this guide, I’ll show you how to set up DeepSeek in Visual Studio Code using the Cline extension and Cline’s free model options.

You’ll be able to use DeepSeek to generate code, create files, modify your project, and perform coding tasks directly from your VS Code environment.

Step 1: Open Your Project in VS Code

Start by opening Visual Studio Code and loading the project you want to work with.

If you don’t have a project yet, you can create or open an existing project directory.

Once your project is open, you’ll see the standard VS Code interface with your files and folders in the Explorer panel.

Step 2: Install the Cline Extension

To use DeepSeek inside VS Code, we’ll use the Cline extension.

1. Open the Extensions tab in VS Code.
2. Search for Cline.
3. Install the Cline extension.

Cline is an autonomous coding agent that runs directly inside your IDE. It can create and edit files, run terminal commands, use browser tools, and perform multi-step coding tasks while asking for permission when required.

Once the installation is complete, you’ll see the Cline icon in the VS Code sidebar.

Step 3: Set Up Your Cline Account

Click the Cline icon in the sidebar.

When Cline asks how you want to use it, select the free option.

You’ll then see several available model options. Some models may be available at no cost through Cline’s own billing system.

If you want to use DeepSeek V4 Flash, you’ll first need to create or connect your Cline account.

Click Create an account.

This will open your browser, where you can register using your email address or sign in with an available authentication provider such as:

• Google
• Microsoft
• GitHub

If you already have a Cline account, simply sign in and complete the authentication process.

After authentication, return to VS Code.

Step 4: Select DeepSeek

Now it’s time to select the DeepSeek model.

Inside Cline, open the model selection menu.

You’ll see several provider options, including providers such as Anthropic, OpenRouter, Ollama, and Cline’s own billing option.

For the free models, select Cline Uses Billing.

You should then see the available free models.

Depending on what’s currently offered, you may see options such as:

• GLM 5.3 Flash
• DeepSeek V4 Flash
• Other free models

Select DeepSeek V4 Flash and click Done.

DeepSeek is now configured inside Cline.

Note: Free model availability can change over time. The exact models and usage limits shown in Cline may be different from those shown in this tutorial.

Step 5: Test DeepSeek

Let’s make sure everything is working.

In the Cline chat interface, enter a simple prompt such as:

Hi

Send the prompt.

If everything is configured correctly, Cline will process the request using the selected DeepSeek model without charging you for the request.

You can also check the context information displayed by Cline to see how much of the model’s context window is being used.

Step 6: Build Something with DeepSeek

Now let’s try a real coding task.

For example, you can ask Cline:

Create an HTML file for an employee table.

Cline provides different modes for handling your request.

Plan Mode

Plan Mode is useful when you want Cline to analyze the task and create a plan before making changes.

This is helpful for larger projects where you want to review the approach first.

Act Mode

Act Mode allows Cline to directly perform the requested task.

For a simple task like creating an HTML file, you can select Act Mode.

Cline will analyze the request, determine what needs to be done, and create the required file.

Depending on the task, Cline may need to run terminal commands or perform other actions. It will process those steps within your project.

Step 7: Preview the Generated Website

Once Cline finishes creating the HTML file, open it from the VS Code Explorer.

You can use the Go Live option, if you have the Live Server extension installed, to preview the page in your browser.

You’ll now have an employee table generated by DeepSeek directly from your VS Code environment.

This demonstrates the main advantage of using Cline: instead of simply generating a code snippet in a chat window, the AI agent can actually work with your project files.

Is DeepSeek Completely Free?

The free option provided through Cline can allow you to use supported models without purchasing your own API credits.

However, free access is subject to usage and context limits, and the available models can change.

If you need higher limits, more consistent availability, or better performance, you can connect a paid provider or purchase API credits for the model you want to use.

Conclusion

Using DeepSeek in VS Code with Cline gives you a convenient way to experiment with AI-powered coding without immediately paying for API access.

The basic workflow is:

1. Open your project in VS Code.
2. Install the Cline extension.
3. Create or sign in to your Cline account.
4. Open the model selection menu.
5. Choose Cline Uses Billing.
6. Select DeepSeek V4 Flash or another available free model.
7. Start using DeepSeek for coding tasks.

You can use this setup to generate code, create files, modify existing projects, and automate many development tasks directly from VS Code.

If you need more capacity or want to use the latest models with fewer restrictions, you can later connect a paid API provider such as OpenRouter, Anthropic, or another supported provider.