Aider Configuration Template

This skill provides a comprehensive template for configuring Aider, the AI pair programming tool. The `.aider.conf.yml` file can be placed in your home directory or at the root of your git repository to customize Aider's behavior.

Overview

Aider is an AI-powered coding assistant that works directly in your terminal and integrates with git. This configuration file allows you to customize every aspect of Aider's behavior, from model selection to output colors.

Configuration File Location

Place `.aider.conf.yml` in one of these locations:

Key Configuration Sections

1. API Keys and Model Selection

Configure your AI provider credentials and choose models:

```yaml

API Keys (OpenAI and Anthropic only - other providers use .env file)

openai-api-key: your-key-here

anthropic-api-key: your-key-here

Model Selection

model: gpt-4o # Specify any supported model

Or use shortcuts:

sonnet: true # Claude 3.5 Sonnet

4o: true # GPT-4o

opus: true # Claude Opus

```

2. Model Settings

Advanced model configuration:

```yaml

Custom API endpoints

openai-api-base: https://your-endpoint.com

openai-api-type: azure

openai-api-version: 2023-05-15

Edit formats

edit-format: whole # or diff, udiff, whole

architect: false # Use architect edit format

Token limits

max-chat-history-tokens: 4096

Model metadata

model-settings-file: .aider.model.settings.yml

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

```

3. Git Integration

Control how Aider interacts with git:

```yaml

git: true # Enable git integration

gitignore: true # Add .aider* to .gitignore

auto-commits: true # Auto-commit changes

dirty-commits: true # Allow commits in dirty repo

attribute-author: true # Show aider as author

attribute-committer: true # Show aider as committer

commit-prompt: "Custom prompt for commit messages"

```

4. Repository Map

Configure the intelligent code context system:

```yaml

map-tokens: 1024 # Tokens for repo map

map-refresh: auto # auto, always, files, manual

map-multiplier-no-files: 2 # Increase context when no files specified

```

5. Output Customization

Personalize the terminal interface:

```yaml

Theme

dark-mode: true

pretty: true

stream: true

Colors

user-input-color: "#00cc00"

assistant-output-color: "#0088ff"

tool-error-color: "#FF2222"

tool-warning-color: "#FFA500"

code-theme: monokai # default, monokai, solarized-dark, solarized-light

```

6. Testing and Linting

Automated code quality checks:

```yaml

Linting

auto-lint: true

lint-cmd:

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

- "javascript: eslint"

- "typescript: eslint --ext .ts,.tsx"

Testing

auto-test: false

test-cmd: "pytest tests/"

```

7. File Management

Specify files to work with:

```yaml

file:

- src/main.py

- src/utils.py

read:

- docs/README.md

- config/settings.json

aiderignore: .aiderignore # Custom ignore file

subtree-only: false # Only consider current subtree

```

8. History and Logging

Track your AI pair programming sessions:

```yaml

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

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

restore-chat-history: false

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

```

9. Cache Settings

Improve performance and reduce costs:

```yaml

cache-prompts: true

cache-keepalive-pings: 12 # Ping every 5min to keep cache warm

```

10. Voice Settings

Configure voice input:

```yaml

voice-format: wav # wav, webm, mp3 (webm/mp3 require ffmpeg)

voice-language: en # ISO 639-1 code

```

Common Use Cases

Minimal Configuration

```yaml

Just the essentials

model: gpt-4o

dark-mode: true

auto-commits: true

auto-lint: true

```

Team Configuration

```yaml

Standardize settings across team

model: gpt-4o

edit-format: whole

auto-commits: true

dirty-commits: false

commit-prompt: "feat: AI-assisted changes"

lint-cmd:

- "python: ruff check"

test-cmd: "pytest"

auto-test: true

code-theme: monokai

```

Cost-Optimized Setup

```yaml

Use cheaper models where appropriate

model: gpt-4o-mini

weak-model: gpt-3.5-turbo

map-tokens: 512

cache-prompts: true

cache-keepalive-pings: 24

```

Important Notes

Best Practices

1. **Project-specific config**: Place `.aider.conf.yml` in repo root for team consistency

2. **Global defaults**: Use home directory config for personal preferences

3. **Git integration**: Enable `auto-commits` and `attribute-author` for clear history

4. **Testing**: Set up `lint-cmd` and `test-cmd` for quality assurance

5. **Color scheme**: Match terminal theme with `dark-mode` or `light-mode`

Troubleshooting

If Aider isn't using your config:

Resources