Aider Configuration Reference

A comprehensive reference configuration file for Aider, the AI pair programming tool. This file lists all valid configuration entries for customizing Aider's behavior, model selection, git integration, output formatting, and more.

What This Skill Provides

This configuration file can be placed in your home directory or at the root of your git repository as `.aider.conf.yml` to customize how Aider works in your projects.

Key Configuration Areas

Main Model Selection

Choose which LLM to use for the main chat (Claude Opus, Sonnet, GPT-4, DeepSeek, etc.)

Model Settings

Configure model aliases, timeouts, SSL verification, edit formats, and token limits

Cache Settings

Enable prompt caching and keepalive pings to optimize API costs

Repomap Settings

Control the repository map generation and refresh behavior

History Files

Customize where chat history and input history are stored

Output Settings

Configure colors, themes, streaming, and display preferences for different terminal backgrounds

Git Settings

Control auto-commits, commit message attribution, gitignore behavior, and more

Linting & Testing

Set up automatic linting and testing commands for your languages

Voice Settings

Configure voice input format, language, and device

Configuration Instructions

1. **Copy the template** from the source content above

2. **Uncomment lines** you want to use by removing the `#` prefix

3. **Set values** according to your preferences

4. **Save as `.aider.conf.yml`** in either:

- Your home directory (applies globally)

- Your git repository root (applies to that project)

Highlighted Settings from This Configuration

The source file has these settings already enabled:

`cache-prompts: true` - Enables prompt caching to reduce API costs

`input-history-file: .aider/.aider.input.history` - Stores input history in `.aider/` directory

`chat-history-file: .aider/.aider.chat.history.md` - Stores chat history in `.aider/` directory

`auto-commits: false` - Disables automatic git commits

`env-file: .aider/.env` - Loads environment variables from `.aider/.env`

Important Notes

All configuration entries are documented with comments in the template

Many settings have sensible defaults and don't need to be set

The `#` prefix means the setting is commented out (inactive)

Multiple values can be specified as YAML lists for settings like `alias` and `lint-cmd`

Some settings are mutually exclusive (e.g., dark-mode vs light-mode)

Common Use Cases

**For cost optimization:**

Enable `cache-prompts: true`

Set `cache-keepalive-pings` for long sessions

**For team collaboration:**

Set `auto-commits: false` to review changes before committing

Configure `lint-cmd` and `auto-lint: true` for code quality

**For privacy:**

Set `analytics-disable: true`

Use custom `input-history-file` and `chat-history-file` locations

**For specific workflows:**

Set `test-cmd` and enable `auto-test` for TDD

Configure `editor-model` for faster edit operations

Links

Full documentation: https://aider.chat/docs/config.html

Model list: Use `--list-models` flag or set `list-models` in config

Aider Configuration Reference

Aider Configuration Reference

What This Skill Provides

Key Configuration Areas

Main Model Selection

Model Settings

Cache Settings

Repomap Settings

History Files

Output Settings

Git Settings

Linting & Testing

Voice Settings

Configuration Instructions

Highlighted Settings from This Configuration

Important Notes

Common Use Cases

Links

Reviews (0)