Aider AI Coding Assistant

Configure and use Aider, a terminal-based AI pair programming tool that directly edits your code files through natural language chat. Supports multiple LLM providers, automatic git commits, linting, testing, and intelligent repository mapping.

What This Skill Does

This skill helps you set up and optimize Aider configuration files (`.aider.conf.yml`) for AI-assisted coding. Aider works with various AI models (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, etc.) to edit code, generate commit messages, run tests, and maintain git repositories through conversational commands.

Instructions

When a user requests Aider configuration or assistance:

1. **Assess Requirements**

- Ask what AI model/provider they prefer (Claude, GPT-4, DeepSeek, etc.)

- Determine if they need specific features: auto-commits, linting, testing, repo mapping

- Check if they want voice input, GUI mode, or terminal-only usage

- Identify their git workflow preferences

2. **Generate Configuration File**

- Create `.aider.conf.yml` in the project root or user's home directory

- Configure the main model and optional weak/editor models

- Set up API keys via environment variables (never hardcode keys)

- Enable/disable features based on requirements:

- `auto-commits`: Automatic git commits (default: true)

- `auto-lint`: Automatic linting after changes (default: true)

- `auto-test`: Automatic testing after changes (default: false)

- `map-tokens`: Repository map for context (suggest 2048-4096 for medium projects)

- `dark-mode` or `light-mode`: Terminal color scheme

3. **API Key Management**

- Store API keys in `.env` file, never in `.aider.conf.yml`

- Use `--set-env` or `--api-key` options for non-OpenAI/Anthropic providers

- Example `.env` entries:

```

OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...

ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...

DEEPSEEK_API_KEY=...

```

4. **Optimize Model Selection**

- **Main model**: Primary coding assistant (Claude 3.7 Sonnet, GPT-4o, DeepSeek Chat)

- **Weak model**: Commit messages & summarization (Claude Haiku, GPT-4o-mini)

- **Editor model**: Quick edits (can use same as main or lighter model)

- Consider cost vs. capability tradeoffs

5. **Git Integration Setup**

- Enable `gitignore: true` to auto-add `.aider*` files

- Set `attribute-author: true` to track Aider changes in git

- Configure `dirty-commits` behavior for uncommitted changes

- Set up `.aiderignore` for files to exclude from context

6. **Linting and Testing**

- Configure `lint-cmd` for each language:

```yaml

lint-cmd:

- "python: ruff check --fix"

- "javascript: eslint --fix"

- "typescript: eslint --fix"

```

- Set `test-cmd` for running tests: `pytest`, `npm test`, etc.

- Enable `auto-test: true` for continuous testing (high token usage warning)

7. **Repository Mapping**

- Set `map-tokens` based on project size:

- Small projects (<50 files): 1024-2048

- Medium projects: 2048-4096

- Large projects: 4096-8192

- Disable with `map-tokens: 0` if not needed

- Use `map-refresh: auto` (default) for optimal performance

8. **Advanced Features**

- **Architect mode**: Multi-file refactoring with `architect: true`

- **Voice input**: Set `voice-format`, `voice-language`, `voice-input-device`

- **GUI mode**: Enable `gui: true` for browser-based interface

- **Prompt caching**: Enable `cache-prompts: true` for supported models

- **Watch mode**: Enable `watch-files: true` for automatic change detection

9. **Common Workflows**

- **Initial setup**: `aider --model claude-3-7-sonnet --yes-always`

- **Lint and fix**: `aider --lint`

- **Run tests**: `aider --test`

- **Commit changes**: `aider --commit`

- **Specific files**: `aider --file src/main.py --read docs/spec.md`

10. **Provide Usage Examples**

```yaml

# Minimal configuration

model: anthropic/claude-3-7-sonnet-20250219

auto-commits: true

map-tokens: 2048

dark-mode: true

# Advanced configuration

model: anthropic/claude-3-7-sonnet-20250219

weak-model: claude-3-5-haiku-20241022

editor-model: claude-3-5-haiku-20241022

architect: true

auto-lint: true

lint-cmd:

- "python: ruff check --fix"

test-cmd: pytest

map-tokens: 4096

cache-prompts: true

dark-mode: true

```

Key Configuration Sections

Important Notes

Example Use Cases

1. **Python Project with Linting**

```yaml

model: anthropic/claude-3-7-sonnet-20250219

auto-commits: true

auto-lint: true

lint-cmd: "python: ruff check --fix"

map-tokens: 2048

```

2. **TypeScript Project with Testing**

```yaml

model: gpt-4o

weak-model: gpt-4o-mini

auto-commits: true

lint-cmd: "typescript: eslint --fix"

test-cmd: npm test

map-tokens: 4096

```

3. **Multi-Language Refactoring**

```yaml

model: anthropic/claude-3-7-sonnet-20250219

architect: true

auto-accept-architect: false

map-tokens: 8192

cache-prompts: true

```

When generating configurations, always explain the choices made and provide guidance on adjusting settings based on project needs and budget constraints.