Aider Configuration Template

This skill provides a comprehensive configuration template for Aider, the AI pair programming tool. It covers all available configuration options including model selection, API settings, git integration, testing, linting, and output customization.

What This Skill Does

Creates a `.aider.conf.yml` configuration file in your project root with all available Aider settings documented. This allows you to customize Aider's behavior for your specific project needs, including model preferences, git workflows, automated testing/linting, and UI preferences.

Instructions

When a user requests Aider configuration help:

1. **Determine Configuration Scope**

- Ask which aspects they want to configure:

- Model selection (OpenAI, Anthropic, or other providers)

- Git integration settings

- Testing and linting automation

- Output and display preferences

- File watching and editing mode

- If they want a full template, provide all sections

- If they want specific sections, focus on those

2. **Create Configuration File**

- Create `.aider.conf.yml` in the project root

- Include comprehensive comments explaining each option

- Uncomment and set values for requested features

- Leave other options commented as reference

3. **Model Configuration**

- For OpenAI: Set `openai-api-key` and `model` or use shortcuts (`4o`, `4-turbo`, `35turbo`)

- For Anthropic: Set `anthropic-api-key` and use shortcuts (`opus`, `sonnet`)

- For custom models: Configure `openai-api-base`, `model-settings-file`, `model-metadata-file`

- Explain weak model selection for commit messages and summaries

- Configure caching options for cost optimization

4. **Git Integration Settings**

- Set `auto-commits: true/false` for automatic commits

- Configure `dirty-commits` for uncommitted changes handling

- Set attribution options (`attribute-author`, `attribute-committer`)

- Configure commit message customization (`commit-prompt`)

- Set up `.aiderignore` file handling

5. **Testing and Linting**

- Configure `test-cmd` for project-specific test runner

- Set `auto-test: true` for automatic testing after changes

- Add `lint-cmd` entries for language-specific linters

- Set `auto-lint: true` for automatic linting

- Example test commands:

- Python: `pytest`, `python -m pytest`

- JavaScript: `npm test`, `yarn test`

- Ruby: `rails test`, `rspec`

6. **File Management**

- Add `file:` entries for files to edit by default

- Add `read:` entries for context files (read-only)

- Configure `subtree-only: true` to limit to current directory

- Set up `.aiderignore` patterns for excluded files

7. **Output Customization**

- Set `dark-mode` or `light-mode` for terminal colors

- Configure color schemes (`user-input-color`, `assistant-output-color`)

- Set `code-theme` for syntax highlighting

- Configure `stream: true/false` for response streaming

- Set `show-diffs: true` to display changes before committing

8. **Advanced Options**

- Configure `map-tokens` for repo map size

- Set `max-chat-history-tokens` to control context window

- Configure `cache-prompts` and `cache-keepalive-pings` for optimization

- Set `voice-language` for voice input

- Configure `suggest-shell-commands` for CLI suggestions

9. **Provide Usage Examples**

- Show how to run aider with the config: `aider`

- Explain config file precedence: home dir < git root < `--config` flag

- Show how to override config with CLI flags: `aider --model gpt-4o --auto-test`

- Explain `.env` file usage for API keys (more secure than YAML)

10. **Best Practices**

- Store API keys in `.env` file, not in `.aider.conf.yml`

- Commit `.aider.conf.yml` to git for team consistency

- Add `.aider*` files to `.gitignore` (Aider does this automatically)

- Start with minimal config and add options as needed

- Use `--verbose` flag to debug configuration issues

Configuration Examples

Minimal Setup (OpenAI)

```yaml

model: gpt-4o

auto-commits: true

test-cmd: npm test

```

Full-Featured (Anthropic)

```yaml

sonnet: true

weak-model: claude-3-haiku-20240307

auto-commits: true

dirty-commits: true

auto-lint: true

lint-cmd:

- "python: ruff check --fix"

- "javascript: eslint --fix"

test-cmd: pytest

auto-test: true

dark-mode: true

file:

- src/main.py

- tests/test_main.py

read:

- README.md

- docs/architecture.md

```

Custom Model with Testing

```yaml

openai-api-base: https://api.example.com/v1

model: custom-model-name

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

test-cmd: rails test

auto-test: true

show-diffs: true

```

Important Notes

Constraints