Aider Configuration

Configure Aider AI pair programming tool with optimal settings including dark mode, model selection, caching, and custom model aliases.

What This Skill Does

This skill sets up an `.aider.conf.yaml` configuration file for Aider with best practices including:

Instructions

1. **Locate or create the Aider configuration file**

- Look for `.aider.conf.yaml` in the project root or user home directory

- If it doesn't exist, create a new file at `.aider.conf.yaml`

2. **Apply the following configuration**

```yaml

dark-mode: true

auto-commits: false

editor: nvim

map-tokens: 2048

code-theme: nord-darker

analytics: false

show-model-warnings: false

cache-prompts: true

openai-api-base: https://api.githubcopilot.com

model: openai/gpt-4o

weak-model: openai/gpt-4o-mini

max-chat-history-tokens: 8000

auto-accept-architect: false

alias:

- "fast:openai/gpt-4o"

- "code:openai/claude-sonnet-4"

- "think:openai/claude-3.7-sonnet-thought"

- "gemini:openai/gemini-2.5-pro"

```

3. **Verify the configuration**

- Check that the file is valid YAML syntax

- Confirm the file is in the correct location for Aider to detect it

4. **Configuration Breakdown**

- **UI Settings**: Dark mode enabled with nord-darker theme

- **Editor**: Set to nvim (can be changed to user preference)

- **Token Management**: 2048 map tokens, 8000 max chat history tokens

- **Privacy**: Analytics disabled, model warnings disabled

- **Performance**: Prompt caching enabled for faster responses

- **API**: Uses GitHub Copilot API base

- **Models**: GPT-4o as primary, GPT-4o-mini for lighter tasks

- **Aliases**: Quick shortcuts for different model types (fast, code, think, gemini)

- **Control**: Auto-commits and auto-accept-architect disabled for manual review

Usage Examples

After applying this configuration, users can:

Notes