Aider Configuration Template

A complete configuration template for Aider, the AI pair programming tool. This template includes all available configuration options with explanations for customizing Aider's behavior, model selection, git integration, output formatting, and more.

What This Does

Generates a comprehensive `.aider.conf.yml` configuration file that can be placed in your home directory or at the root of your git repository. The file includes all valid Aider configuration entries with inline documentation.

Instructions

When a user requests an Aider configuration file or asks to customize Aider settings:

1. **Understand Requirements**: Ask the user which aspects they want to configure:

- Model selection (main model, weak model, editor model)

- API keys and provider settings

- Git integration preferences (auto-commits, attribution)

- Output styling (colors, themes, streaming)

- Caching and performance options

- Linting and testing automation

- Voice input settings

- Other preferences

2. **Generate Configuration**: Create a `.aider.conf.yml` file with:

- Uncommented and configured options the user specifically requested

- Commented examples for related options they might want

- Clear section headers matching the template structure

- Appropriate default values where applicable

3. **Include Key Sections**:

- **Main Model**: `model` setting for primary chat model

- **API Keys**: `openai-api-key`, `anthropic-api-key`, or `api-key` entries

- **Model Settings**: `edit-format`, `weak-model`, `editor-model` configurations

- **Cache Settings**: `cache-prompts` and `cache-keepalive-pings` for performance

- **Repomap Settings**: `map-tokens` for context management

- **History Files**: Custom paths for input/chat history

- **Output Settings**: Colors, themes, and formatting preferences

- **Git Settings**: Auto-commit behavior, attribution, dirty commits

- **Fixing and Committing**: Linting (`lint-cmd`, `auto-lint`) and testing (`test-cmd`, `auto-test`)

- **Voice Settings**: Format, language, input device for voice mode

- **Other Settings**: File specifications, encoding, notifications

4. **Provide Usage Guidance**:

- Where to place the file (git root, home directory, or custom with `--config`)

- How to override settings via command-line flags

- Note that only OpenAI/Anthropic keys go in YAML; other providers use `.env`

- Explain `.aiderignore` for excluding files

- Mention `.env` file for additional API keys (link: https://aider.chat/docs/config/dotenv.html)

5. **Common Configurations**:

**Basic Setup**:

```yaml

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

anthropic-api-key: sk-ant-xxx

auto-commits: true

dark-mode: true

```

**Performance-Focused**:

```yaml

cache-prompts: true

cache-keepalive-pings: 3

map-tokens: 2048

stream: true

```

**Git Attribution**:

```yaml

attribute-author: true

attribute-committer: true

attribute-commit-message-author: true

auto-commits: true

```

**Linting Integration**:

```yaml

auto-lint: true

lint-cmd:

- "python: ruff check --fix"

- "javascript: eslint --fix"

```

6. **Important Notes**:

- API keys for providers beyond OpenAI/Anthropic must be in `.env` file

- Use `--set-env` for API-specific environment variables

- Model aliases can simplify switching between models

- Deprecated model flags (`--opus`, `--4o`, etc.) should use `--model` instead

- `.aiderignore` file works like `.gitignore` for excluding files from Aider's scope

Constraints

Examples

**Example 1: User asks "Create an Aider config for Claude Sonnet with dark mode"**

Response:

```yaml

Main model

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

API Keys

anthropic-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY_HERE

Output settings

dark-mode: true

pretty: true

stream: true

Git settings

auto-commits: true

dirty-commits: true

```

**Example 2: User asks "Configure Aider with auto-linting for Python and TypeScript"**

Response:

```yaml

Linting settings

auto-lint: true

lint-cmd:

- "python: ruff check --fix"

- "typescript: eslint --fix"

Git settings (commit lint fixes automatically)

auto-commits: true

```

**Example 3: User asks "Set up Aider with caching and performance optimizations"**

Response:

```yaml

Cache settings

cache-prompts: true

cache-keepalive-pings: 5

Repomap settings

map-tokens: 4096

map-refresh: auto

Output settings (faster response)

stream: true

Verify SSL (can disable for speed if needed)

verify-ssl: true

```