Aider Configuration

Comprehensive configuration template for Aider AI coding assistant. This skill provides a complete `.aider.conf.yml` file covering all valid configuration entries to customize Aider's behavior.

What This Does

This configuration file allows you to customize every aspect of Aider, including:

Usage

1. Save this configuration as `.aider.conf.yml` in your home directory or at the root of your git repository

2. Uncomment and modify the settings you want to use

3. Remove or keep commented settings at their default values

Configuration Sections

Main Model

```yaml

Specify the model to use for the main chat

#model: claude-3-5-sonnet-20250219

Specify the model for commit messages and summaries

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

Specify the model for editor tasks

#editor-model: claude-3-5-sonnet-20250219

```

API Keys and Settings

```yaml

OpenAI API key

#openai-api-key: sk-...

Anthropic API key

#anthropic-api-key: sk-ant-...

Custom API base URL

#openai-api-base: https://api.openai.com/v1

Set environment variables for API control

#set-env:

- PROVIDER_API_KEY=xxx

- OPENAI_API_TYPE=azure

```

Cache Settings

```yaml

Enable prompt caching for cost savings

cache-prompts: true

Keep cache warm with periodic pings

#cache-keepalive-pings: 0

```

Git Integration

```yaml

Disable auto-commits to review changes first

auto-commits: false

Enable dirty commits

#dirty-commits: true

Add aider attribution to commits

#attribute-author: true

#attribute-committer: true

Watch files for AI coding comments

#watch-files: false

```

Architect Mode

```yaml

Use architect edit format for main chat

#architect: false

Disable automatic acceptance of architect changes

auto-accept-architect: false

```

Linting and Testing

```yaml

Enable automatic linting after changes

#auto-lint: true

Custom lint commands per language

#lint-cmd:

- "python: ruff check --select=E,W,F"

- "javascript: eslint"

Specify test command

#test-cmd: pytest

Enable automatic testing after changes

#auto-test: false

```

Output Customization

```yaml

Color settings for different output types

#user-input-color: "#00cc00"

#assistant-output-color: "#0088ff"

#tool-error-color: "#FF2222"

#tool-warning-color: "#FFA500"

Markdown code theme

#code-theme: monokai

Show diffs when committing

#show-diffs: false

Enable/disable streaming responses

#stream: true

```

Repository Map

```yaml

Tokens to use for repo map (0 to disable)

#map-tokens: 1024

Control map refresh frequency

#map-refresh: auto

Multiplier when no files specified

#map-multiplier-no-files: 2

```

History Files

```yaml

Chat input history location

#input-history-file: .aider.input.history

Chat history file

#chat-history-file: .aider.chat.history.md

Restore previous chat history

#restore-chat-history: false

LLM conversation log

#llm-history-file: .aider.llm.history

```

Voice Settings

```yaml

Audio format (wav, webm, mp3)

#voice-format: wav

Language code (ISO 639-1)

#voice-language: en

Input device name

#voice-input-device: "Default Microphone"

```

Other Settings

```yaml

Files to edit

#file:

- src/main.py

- tests/test_main.py

Read-only files for context

#read:

- README.md

- docs/architecture.md

VI editing mode

#vim: false

Chat language

#chat-language: en

Skip confirmations

#yes-always: false

Verbose output

#verbose: false

Enable shell command suggestions

#suggest-shell-commands: true

Enable URL detection

#detect-urls: true

Specify editor for /editor command

#editor: vim

```

Important Notes

Example: Optimized Configuration

```yaml

Model selection

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

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

Performance

cache-prompts: true

stream: true

Git workflow

auto-commits: false

auto-lint: true

show-diffs: true

UI preferences

code-theme: monokai

pretty: true

Testing

auto-test: true

test-cmd: pytest -v

```

Tips

1. **Start minimal**: Uncomment only settings you need to change

2. **Version control**: Add `.aider.conf.yml` to your repo for team consistency

3. **Security**: Never commit API keys—use `.env` files instead

4. **Testing**: Use `--dry-run` to preview changes before applying

5. **Performance**: Enable `cache-prompts` to reduce API costs on repeated operations

Resources