Aider Development Setup

Configure Aider AI pair programming tool with optimized settings for professional development workflows on macOS.

What This Skill Does

Sets up Aider with production-ready configuration including:

GitHub Copilot API integration

Multiple model aliases for different tasks (fast, code, think, gemini)

Optimized token limits and caching

Dark mode UI with Nord theme

Privacy-focused settings (analytics disabled)

Instructions

When user requests Aider configuration or mentions setting up AI pair programming:

1. **Create `.aider.conf.yaml` in project root or home directory**

- Default location: `~/.aider.conf.yaml` for global config

- Project-specific: Place in project root to override global settings

2. **Apply core configuration settings:**

```yaml

dark-mode: true

auto-commits: false

editor: nvim

map-tokens: 2048

code-theme: nord-darker

analytics: false

show-model-warnings: false

cache-prompts: true

max-chat-history-tokens: 8000

auto-accept-architect: false

```

3. **Configure GitHub Copilot as API provider:**

```yaml

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

model: openai/gpt-4o

weak-model: openai/gpt-4o-mini

```

4. **Set up model aliases for different workflows:**

```yaml

alias:

- "fast:openai/gpt-4o"

- "code:openai/claude-sonnet-4"

- "think:openai/claude-3.7-sonnet-thought"

- "gemini:openai/gemini-2.5-pro"

```

5. **Explain API key setup:**

- GitHub Copilot API key is automatically obtained through JetBrains products

- Key location: `~/.config/github-copilot/apps.json`

- User must have active GitHub Copilot subscription

- No manual API key configuration needed if using JetBrains IDE

6. **Verify configuration:**

- Run `aider --help` to confirm settings loaded

- Test with `aider --model fast` to use GPT-4o

- Switch models using aliases: `aider --model code` for Claude Sonnet

Usage Examples

**Basic setup:**

```bash

Create global config

cat > ~/.aider.conf.yaml << 'EOF'

[paste configuration here]

EOF

Start Aider with default model

aider

Use specific model alias

aider --model think

```

**Project-specific override:**

```bash

In project directory

cp ~/.aider.conf.yaml .aider.conf.yaml

Edit to customize for this project

```

Key Features Explained

**auto-commits: false** — Manual control over git commits

**map-tokens: 2048** — Balance between context and performance

**cache-prompts: true** — Faster responses, lower costs

**max-chat-history-tokens: 8000** — Retain substantial conversation context

**auto-accept-architect: false** — Review architectural changes before applying

Important Notes

Requires active GitHub Copilot subscription

JetBrains IDE (IntelliJ, PyCharm, etc.) must be installed to generate API key

Model availability depends on Copilot API access tier

`nvim` is default editor; adjust to `vim`, `code`, or preferred editor

Nord Darker theme optimized for dark mode terminals

Constraints

Do not enable analytics unless user explicitly requests it

Do not set `auto-commits: true` without user confirmation

Respect user's editor preference if specified

GitHub Copilot API base URL must remain as configured for model aliases to work

Aider Development Setup

Aider Development Setup

What This Skill Does

Instructions

Usage Examples

Create global config

Start Aider with default model

Use specific model alias

In project directory

Edit to customize for this project

Key Features Explained

Important Notes

Constraints

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