Aider Development Configuration
Configuration for Aider AI coding assistant optimized for Advent of Code Rust development with automated testing, prompt caching, and streamlined workflows.
Configuration Overview
This skill configures Aider with:
**Automated Testing**: Runs `cargo test` after every change**Prompt Caching**: Reduces API costs and improves response time**Vim Mode**: VI editing keybindings in the terminal**Read-only Context**: Includes README.org and CONVENTIONS.org as reference files**Manual Commits**: Disabled auto-commits for explicit version control**Clean .gitignore**: Prevents adding .aider* files to .gitignoreInstructions
When a user requests this skill, create a `.aider.conf.yml` file in their project root with the following configuration:
```yaml
Enable prompt caching to reduce API costs
cache-prompts: true
Automated testing
test-cmd: cargo test
auto-test: true
Vim keybindings
vim: true
Read-only reference files
read: [README.org, CONVENTIONS.org]
Manual commit control
auto-commits: false
dirty-commits: false
gitignore: false
```
Key Features
1. Automated Testing
Runs `cargo test` automatically after Aider makes changesCatches regressions immediatelyProvides fast feedback loop during development2. Prompt Caching
Caches prompts to reduce API costsImproves response time for repeated interactionsParticularly beneficial for large codebases3. Vim Mode
Enables VI keybindings in Aider's terminal interfaceFamiliar editing experience for Vim usersStandard modal editing (normal/insert modes)4. Read-only Context Files
Includes `README.org` and `CONVENTIONS.org` as referenceAider can read these files for context but won't modify themEnsures coding standards and project conventions are followed5. Manual Commit Control
`auto-commits: false` - Requires explicit commit approval`dirty-commits: false` - Prevents commits when repo is dirty`gitignore: false` - Doesn't add .aider* files to .gitignoreUsage Example
1. Place `.aider.conf.yml` in your project root
2. Run `aider` in your terminal
3. Aider will automatically:
- Load README.org and CONVENTIONS.org for context
- Use prompt caching for efficiency
- Run tests after making changes
- Provide Vim keybindings
Customization
Users can extend this configuration by adding:
`--model` flag to specify AI model (e.g., `--opus`, `--sonnet`)Additional read-only files to the `read` arrayCustom lint commands with `lint-cmd`Different test commands for other languagesAdvent of Code Context
This configuration is optimized for Advent of Code problem-solving:
Fast test feedback helps iterate on puzzle solutionsRead-only convention files maintain consistent coding styleManual commits allow reviewing solutions before committingVim mode supports rapid editing during competitive solvingNotes
This skill creates only the configuration file - Aider must be installed separatelyThe configuration assumes a Rust project with CargoAdjust `read` files list based on your project's documentation structurePrompt caching requires API support (available on Anthropic and OpenAI models)