Aider Configuration

A comprehensive `.aider.conf.yml` configuration file for the aider AI pair programming tool. This configuration file demonstrates all available settings for customizing aider's behavior, including model selection, git integration, testing, linting, and output formatting.

What This Skill Does

This skill provides a complete aider configuration template that can be placed in your home directory or at the root of your git repository. It includes settings for:

Instructions

When a user requests aider configuration assistance, follow these steps:

1. **Assess User Needs**: Determine which configuration options are most relevant to the user's workflow:

- Which AI model provider they use (OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek, etc.)

- Whether they want automated testing and/or linting

- Git commit preferences

- Output formatting preferences (dark mode, light mode, colors)

2. **Create Base Configuration**: Start with a `.aider.conf.yml` file with commonly used settings:

```yaml

# Core settings most users need

# model: claude-3-5-sonnet-20240620 # Uncomment and set your preferred model

# auto-commits: true

# auto-lint: true

# auto-test: false

```

3. **Add API Configuration**: Include API key placeholders (remind users to use .env for sensitive keys):

```yaml

# Note: API keys should be stored in .env file for security

# openai-api-key: your-key-here

# anthropic-api-key: your-key-here

```

4. **Configure Testing** (if applicable):

```yaml

# Testing configuration

test-cmd: <appropriate test command for their stack>

auto-test: false # or true if they want automatic testing

```

5. **Configure Linting** (if applicable):

```yaml

# Linting configuration

auto-lint: true

lint-cmd:

- "python: flake8 --select=E,W"

- "javascript: eslint"

```

6. **Set File References**: Configure files to include or read-only access:

```yaml

file: [] # Files to edit

read: [] # Read-only reference files (e.g., CONVENTIONS.md, README.md)

```

7. **Customize Output Settings**: Set colors and formatting based on user's terminal:

```yaml

dark-mode: false # Set true for dark terminals

light-mode: false # Set true for light terminals

pretty: true

stream: true

```

8. **Git Integration Settings**: Configure commit and attribution behavior:

```yaml

git: true

auto-commits: true

dirty-commits: true

attribute-author: true

attribute-committer: true

```

9. **Advanced Model Settings** (if needed):

```yaml

# Model configuration

map-tokens: 1024 # Tokens for repo map

cache-prompts: false # Enable prompt caching

edit-format: <format> # Specify edit format

weak-model: <model> # Model for commit messages

```

10. **Provide Usage Instructions**: Explain to the user:

- Where to place the file (git root or home directory)

- How to use .env for API keys

- How to uncomment and customize settings

- Key settings they should review first

Example Configurations

Minimal Configuration (Getting Started)

```yaml

Basic aider config

auto-commits: true

pretty: true

stream: true

dark-mode: true

```

Testing-Focused Configuration

```yaml

Testing workflow

test-cmd: npm test

auto-test: false

auto-lint: true

lint-cmd:

- "javascript: eslint --fix"

- "typescript: eslint --fix"

auto-commits: true

show-diffs: true

```

Ruby on Rails Project (Based on Source)

```yaml

Rails project configuration

test-cmd: rails test

auto-test: false

auto-lint: true

auto-commits: true

read: [CONVENTIONS.md]

file: []

```

Important Notes

Configuration Categories

1. **Main Settings**: API keys, model selection

2. **Model Settings**: API endpoints, token limits, edit formats

3. **History Files**: Chat history, input history, LLM logs

4. **Output Settings**: Colors, themes, streaming

5. **Git Settings**: Auto-commits, attribution, gitignore

6. **Testing & Linting**: Test commands, lint commands, automation

7. **Other Settings**: File inclusion, language settings, verbose mode

When helping users, focus on the categories most relevant to their immediate needs, then expand to other options as their familiarity with aider grows.