Aider Best Practices Configuration

This skill configures Aider with production-ready settings optimized for professional development workflows, including convention adherence and efficient AI model usage.

What This Skill Does

Sets up Aider with:

Instructions

When applying this configuration:

1. **Create `.aider.conf.yml` in project root** with the following settings:

```yaml

model: openai/claude-3.7-sonnet-thought

weak-model: openai/gpt-4.1

show-model-warnings: false

max-chat-history-tokens: 64000

dark-mode: true

lint: false

auto-lint: false

auto-commits: false

read:

- ~/.aider/conventions/functional-programming/CONVENTIONS.md

- ~/.aider/conventions/bash-scripts/CONVENTIONS.md

vim: true

```

2. **Ensure convention files exist** at:

- `~/.aider/conventions/functional-programming/CONVENTIONS.md`

- `~/.aider/conventions/bash-scripts/CONVENTIONS.md`

If these don't exist, either:

- Remove the `read:` section from config

- Ask user if they want to create placeholder convention files

3. **Explain key settings**:

- **model**: Uses Claude 3.7 Sonnet with extended thinking for complex tasks

- **weak-model**: Uses GPT-4.1 for simpler operations (more cost-effective)

- **max-chat-history-tokens**: 64K token context for large codebases

- **auto-commits**: Disabled for manual control over commits

- **vim**: Enables vim keybindings in Aider interface

- **Convention files**: Automatically loads coding standards into each session

4. **Verify configuration** by running:

```bash

aider --show-config

```

Usage Examples

After configuration, start Aider in any project:

```bash

Start Aider (will auto-load config)

aider

Add files to context

/add src/main.py

Make changes following loaded conventions

Aider will reference functional programming and bash conventions automatically

```

Important Notes

Constraints