Aider Configuration Template

A comprehensive configuration template for Aider, the AI pair programming tool. This template covers all available configuration options including API keys, model selection, git integration, output settings, and workflow preferences.

What This Does

Provides a complete `.aider.conf.yml` configuration file template that can be placed in your home directory or git repository root to customize Aider's behavior. The template includes:

Instructions

1. **Review the configuration template** to understand all available options

2. **Copy the template** to `.aider.conf.yml` in your home directory or git repository root

3. **Uncomment and set** only the options you want to customize (all options are commented by default)

4. **Configure API keys** either in the YAML file (OpenAI/Anthropic only) or in a `.env` file (all providers)

5. **Set your preferred model** using the `model` option

6. **Customize git behavior** including auto-commits, attribution, and commit message format

7. **Configure output preferences** such as dark/light mode, colors, and streaming

8. **Set up linting/testing** commands if you want automatic validation after changes

9. **Add read-only context files** like conventions or style guides to the `read` array

10. **Test your configuration** by launching Aider and verifying settings are applied

Key Configuration Sections

API Keys and Models

```yaml

openai-api-key: sk-...

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

model: claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022

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

```

Git Integration

```yaml

auto-commits: true

attribute-author: true

commit-prompt: "Custom commit message template"

dirty-commits: true

```

Output Customization

```yaml

dark-mode: true

pretty: true

stream: true

code-theme: monokai

```

Linting and Testing

```yaml

auto-lint: true

lint-cmd:

- "python: ruff check --fix"

- "javascript: eslint --fix"

test-cmd: "pytest"

auto-test: false

```

Read-Only Context

```yaml

read:

- ~/.aider/CONVENTIONS.md

- docs/STYLE_GUIDE.md

```

Important Notes

Examples

**Minimal configuration for Claude:**

```yaml

anthropic-api-key: sk-ant-xxx

model: claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022

dark-mode: true

auto-commits: true

```

**Configuration with linting and conventions:**

```yaml

model: gpt-4o

auto-lint: true

lint-cmd:

- "python: ruff check --fix"

read:

- ~/.aider/CONVENTIONS.md

- .github/CONTRIBUTING.md

```

**Configuration for team consistency:**

```yaml

model: claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022

attribute-commit-message-committer: true

commit-language: en

code-theme: solarized-dark

gitignore: true

auto-commits: true

dirty-commits: false

```