Aider Configuration

Comprehensive configuration template for Aider, the AI pair programming tool. This skill provides a complete `.aider.conf.yml` configuration file covering all available settings for models, APIs, git integration, output formatting, and workflow automation.

What This Does

Sets up Aider with customized preferences for:

Instructions

1. **Identify Configuration Needs**

- Review the user's workflow requirements

- Determine which models they have access to

- Check their git repository structure

- Identify linting/testing tools in use

2. **Create Configuration File**

- Place `.aider.conf.yml` in the git repository root or home directory

- Start with critical settings: model, API keys, edit format

- Add git settings if auto-commits should be disabled

- Configure repo map tokens based on codebase size

3. **Model Configuration**

- Uncomment and set `model:` for the primary LLM

- Use model shortcuts like `sonnet: true` for Claude 3.5 Sonnet

- Set `weak-model:` for commit messages and summarization

- Configure `editor-model:` for quick edits if needed

- Add `model-metadata-file:` for custom models

4. **API Settings**

- Set API keys via `.env` file (preferred) or YAML config

- Use `set-env:` for provider-specific variables

- Configure `openai-api-base:` for custom endpoints

- Enable `verify-ssl: false` only for local/dev environments

- Set `timeout:` for slow network conditions

5. **Git Integration**

- Keep `auto-commits: true` for automatic change tracking

- Set `attribute-author: true` to mark Aider changes

- Add `dirty-commits: false` to prevent commits with uncommitted changes

- Configure `commit-prompt:` for custom commit message style

- Use `aiderignore:` to exclude files from Aider context

6. **Repository Mapping**

- Set `map-tokens: 1024` (default) or higher for large codebases

- Use `map-refresh: auto` for automatic updates

- Set `map-tokens: 0` to disable repo map entirely

- Increase `map-multiplier-no-files:` for better context without explicit files

7. **Linting and Testing**

- Configure `lint-cmd:` per language (e.g., `python: flake8 --select=...`)

- Set `auto-lint: true` to fix issues after changes

- Add `test-cmd:` to run tests automatically

- Enable `auto-test: true` for test-driven workflows

8. **Output Customization**

- Set `dark-mode: true` or `light-mode: true` for terminal theme

- Configure color scheme with `*-color:` settings

- Choose `code-theme:` (monokai, solarized-dark, etc.)

- Enable `show-diffs: true` to preview changes before commit

9. **Advanced Features**

- Enable `cache-prompts: true` for faster repeat queries

- Set `cache-keepalive-pings:` to maintain warm cache

- Use `voice-language:` and `voice-input-device:` for speech input

- Configure `subtree-only: true` for monorepo workflows

10. **Validate Configuration**

- Run `aider --help` to verify settings are recognized

- Test with a simple edit to confirm model and git behavior

- Check commit messages for proper attribution

- Verify linting/testing triggers work as expected

Configuration Examples

**Minimal Claude Configuration:**

```yaml

model: claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022

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

auto-commits: true

pretty: true

```

**GPT-4 with Auto-Linting:**

```yaml

model: gpt-4o

openai-api-key: sk-...

lint-cmd:

- "python: ruff check --fix"

- "typescript: eslint --fix"

auto-lint: true

dark-mode: true

```

**Enterprise Setup with Custom Model:**

```yaml

model: azure-gpt-4

openai-api-base: https://myorg.openai.azure.com

set-env:

- OPENAI_API_TYPE=azure

- OPENAI_API_VERSION=2024-02-01

model-metadata-file: .aider.model.metadata.json

verify-ssl: true

timeout: 60

```

Important Notes

Constraints