Aider Configuration

This skill configures Aider, an AI pair programming tool, with optimized settings for using Claude Sonnet 4 via GitHub Copilot API.

What This Does

Sets up Aider with:

Instructions

When the user requests Aider configuration, follow these steps:

1. **Determine the configuration file location**

- Standard location: `~/.aider.conf.yml`

- If user has a dotfiles setup, ask where they want it placed

- For stow-managed dotfiles: typically `~/dotfiles/aider/.aider.conf.yml`

2. **Create or update the configuration file** with these settings:

```yaml

openai-api-base: https://api.githubcopilot.com

model: claude-sonnet-4

weak-model: gpt-4.1

show-model-warnings: false

dark-mode: true

code-theme: one-dark

attribute-author: false

attribute-committer: false

attribute-co-authored-by: false

```

3. **Verify prerequisites**

- Confirm the user has GitHub Copilot access

- Ensure Aider is installed (`pip install aider-chat` or similar)

4. **Provide setup instructions**

- If using dotfiles with stow: `stow aider` from the dotfiles directory

- If using standard location: file is automatically loaded by Aider

- Explain that GitHub Copilot authentication will be required on first use

5. **Explain the configuration choices**

- `openai-api-base`: Routes requests through GitHub Copilot API

- `model`: Claude Sonnet 4 for primary coding tasks (high quality)

- `weak-model`: GPT-4.1 for faster, simpler operations

- `show-model-warnings: false`: Cleaner output

- `dark-mode` + `code-theme`: Visual preferences

- Attribution settings: Prevents Aider from modifying git author/committer info

Usage Examples

**Basic usage:**

```

User: "Set up my Aider configuration"

→ Create ~/.aider.conf.yml with the settings above

```

**Dotfiles integration:**

```

User: "Add Aider config to my dotfiles (stow-managed)"

→ Create ~/dotfiles/aider/.aider.conf.yml

→ Instruct user to run `stow aider`

```

**Custom model selection:**

```

User: "Configure Aider but use GPT-4 as the main model"

→ Modify the `model` field to `gpt-4` while keeping other settings

```

Important Notes

Constraints