Aider DeepSeek Configuration

Custom Aider configuration optimized for AI-assisted coding with DeepSeek as the main model, GPT-4o-mini for lightweight tasks, and a beautiful catppuccin-inspired color scheme.

Configuration Overview

This setup configures Aider with:

Setup Instructions

1. Create Configuration File

Create `.aider.conf.yml` in your project root or home directory:

```yaml

model: deepseek

weak-model: gpt-4o-mini

cache-prompts: true

auto-commits: false

watch-files: true

pretty: true

user-input-color: "#a6e3a1"

tool-output-color: "#cdd6f4"

tool-error-color: "#f38ba8"

tool-warning-color: "#fab387"

assistant-output-color: "#89b4fa"

completion-menu-color: "#fab387"

completion-menu-bg-color: "#1e1e2e"

completion-menu-current-bg-color: "#fab387"

completion-menu-current-color: "#1e1e2e"

code-theme: github-dark

```

2. Set API Keys

Create a `.env` file in your git root:

```bash

DEEPSEEK_API_KEY=your_deepseek_key_here

OPENAI_API_KEY=your_openai_key_here # for gpt-4o-mini

```

3. Launch Aider

Start coding with Aider:

```bash

aider

```

Or specify files to work on:

```bash

aider src/main.py tests/test_main.py

```

Key Features

Model Strategy

Developer Experience

Color Scheme (Catppuccin Mocha)

Common Usage Patterns

Add files to chat context

```bash

/add src/utils.py src/config.py

```

Review changes before committing

```bash

/diff

/commit

```

Run with specific files

```bash

aider --file src/app.py --read docs/api.md

```

Enable auto-linting

```bash

aider --lint-cmd "python: ruff check --fix" --auto-lint

```

Customization Options

Change Main Model

Edit `.aider.conf.yml`:

```yaml

model: gpt-4o # or claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022

weak-model: gpt-4o-mini

```

Enable Auto-Commits

```yaml

auto-commits: true

```

Adjust Map Tokens (for large repos)

```yaml

map-tokens: 2048 # default varies by model

```

Add Custom Lint Commands

```yaml

lint-cmd:

- "python: ruff check --fix"

- "javascript: eslint --fix"

```

Advanced Configuration

Multi-Model Aliases

Create model aliases for quick switching:

```yaml

alias:

- fast=gpt-4o-mini

- smart=claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022

- cheap=deepseek

```

Test Integration

```yaml

test-cmd: pytest tests/

auto-test: true # run tests after each change

```

Custom Editor Format

```yaml

edit-format: diff # options: diff, whole, udiff

architect: false # set true for architect mode

```

Tips

1. **Cost Management**: DeepSeek is significantly cheaper than GPT-4/Claude while maintaining quality

2. **Commit Control**: Manual commits let you batch related changes

3. **File Watching**: Great for monitoring config files or documentation

4. **Read-Only Files**: Use `--read` for context files you don't want modified

5. **Voice Coding**: Aider supports voice input with `--voice-format webm`

Troubleshooting

API Key Issues

Ensure `.env` file is in git root:

```bash

verify location

aider --verbose

```

Model Not Found

List available models:

```bash

aider --list-models deepseek

```

Color Issues

Force dark mode:

```yaml

dark-mode: true

```

Or use light mode theme:

```yaml

light-mode: true

code-theme: solarized-light

```

Resources