Aider Configuration Template

A comprehensive configuration template for Aider, the AI pair programming tool. This template includes all available settings to customize Aider's behavior, model selection, git integration, output formatting, and more.

What This Skill Does

This skill provides a complete `.aider.conf.yml` configuration template that covers every available Aider setting. Use it to:

Instructions

1. Create Configuration File

Place the configuration file at one of these locations:

2. Basic Model Configuration

Start with model selection. Uncomment and set one of these options:

```yaml

For Anthropic Claude (recommended)

anthropic-api-key: sk-ant-xxxxx

model: claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022

Or use shorthand

sonnet: true

For OpenAI

openai-api-key: sk-xxxxx

model: gpt-4o

Or use shorthand

4o: true

```

3. Essential Settings to Customize

Uncomment and configure these commonly used settings:

```yaml

Git behavior

auto-commits: true # Auto-commit LLM changes

dirty-commits: true # Allow commits when repo is dirty

show-diffs: true # Show diffs when committing

Code quality

auto-lint: true # Auto-lint after changes

lint-cmd:

- "python: ruff check --fix"

- "javascript: eslint --fix"

UI preferences

dark-mode: true # or light-mode: true

pretty: true # Colorized output

stream: true # Stream responses

Repo mapping (context awareness)

map-tokens: 1024 # Tokens for repo context (0 to disable)

map-refresh: auto # When to refresh: auto/always/files/manual

```

4. Advanced Features

**Prompt Caching** (reduces API costs):

```yaml

cache-prompts: true

cache-keepalive-pings: 3 # Keep cache warm with pings

```

**Automatic Testing**:

```yaml

test-cmd: pytest tests/

auto-test: true # Run tests after changes

```

**Model Aliases** (for custom models):

```yaml

alias:

- "my-model: provider/model-name"

- "fast: gpt-4o-mini"

```

**Editor Integration**:

```yaml

editor: code # VSCode, vim, emacs, etc.

vim: true # Use VI mode in terminal

```

5. File Management

Specify files to work with:

```yaml

Files to edit

file:

- src/main.py

- tests/test_main.py

Read-only reference files

read:

- README.md

- docs/api.md

Ignore patterns

aiderignore: .aiderignore # Custom ignore file

```

6. Output Customization

Customize colors for your terminal theme:

```yaml

Dark mode colors (defaults shown)

user-input-color: "#00cc00"

assistant-output-color: "#0088ff"

tool-error-color: "#FF2222"

tool-warning-color: "#FFA500"

Code highlighting theme

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

```

7. Voice Input (Optional)

Enable voice coding:

```yaml

voice-format: wav # wav, webm, or mp3 (requires ffmpeg)

voice-language: en # ISO 639-1 code

voice-input-device: "Built-in Microphone"

```

8. Security Best Practices

**Never commit API keys to git**. Instead:

1. Store keys in `.env` file (auto-loaded from git root):

```bash

.env

OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-xxxxx

ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-xxxxx

```

2. Or reference environment variables in config:

```yaml

openai-api-key: ${OPENAI_API_KEY}

anthropic-api-key: ${ANTHROPIC_API_KEY}

```

3. Add to `.gitignore`:

```

.env

.env.local

.aider.*.history*

```

Usage Examples

Example 1: Python Project with Auto-Linting

```yaml

model: claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022

dark-mode: true

auto-commits: true

auto-lint: true

lint-cmd:

- "python: ruff check --fix {file_list}"

map-tokens: 2048

cache-prompts: true

```

Example 2: JavaScript Project with Testing

```yaml

model: gpt-4o

auto-commits: true

auto-lint: true

lint-cmd:

- "javascript: eslint --fix {file_list}"

- "typescript: eslint --fix {file_list}"

test-cmd: npm test

auto-test: false

show-diffs: true

```

Example 3: Multi-Model Setup with Aliases

```yaml

Main model for complex tasks

model: claude-3-opus-20240229

Faster model for simple tasks

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

Editor model for refactoring

editor-model: gpt-4o

Custom aliases

alias:

- "fast: gpt-4o-mini"

- "cheap: claude-3-5-haiku-20241022"

cache-prompts: true

map-tokens: 4096

```

Important Notes

Configuration Reference

The template includes **all** available settings organized by category:

Getting Started

1. Copy the template to `.aider.conf.yml` in your project or home directory

2. Set your API key (in config or `.env` file)

3. Choose a model (or use defaults)

4. Uncomment settings you want to customize

5. Run `aider` to start coding with your configuration

Most users only need to configure 5-10 settings. Start simple and add more as needed.