Aider Multi-Model Configuration

This skill configures Aider to work with multiple AI models through a local Copilot Proxy, enabling flexible model switching and optimized settings for different coding tasks.

Overview

Sets up Aider with:

Prerequisites

1. Install and start Copilot Proxy:

```bash

npx copilot-api@latest start

# or for enterprise:

npx copilot-api@latest start --enterprise

```

2. Ensure proxy is running on `http://localhost:4141/` (default) or update `openai-api-base` accordingly.

Configuration

Create or update `.aider.conf.yaml` in your home directory or project root with the following structure:

Core Model Selection

Set your primary model (default: Claude Sonnet 4):

```yaml

model: openai/claude-sonnet-4

```

**Available alternatives** (uncomment to use):

API Configuration

```yaml

openai-api-key: not-needed # Proxy handles authentication

openai-api-base: http://localhost:4141/

```

Model Aliases

Quick switching between models via short names:

```yaml

alias:

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

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

- "gemini-flash:gemini/gemini-2.5-flash-preview-04-17"

- "gemini:gemini/2.5-pro-preview-06-05"

```

**Usage**: `aider --model sonnet` instead of full model path.

Task-Specific Models

Repository Map

```yaml

map-tokens: 1024 # Balance between context and token usage

```

Enables AI to understand project structure. Set to `0` to disable.

UI & Output

```yaml

dark-mode: true # Optimized colors for dark terminals

show-model-warnings: true # Alert on model metadata issues

```

Git Integration

```yaml

auto-commits: false # Manual control over commits

dirty-commits: false # Prevent commits on dirty repos

attribute-author: false # Don't modify git author

attribute-committer: false # Don't modify git committer

```

**Rationale**: Keeps git history clean and under your control.

Optional: Read-Only Reference Files

Uncomment to include convention/style guides in every chat:

```yaml

read:

- "~/conventions/general.md"

- "~/conventions/typescript.md"

- "~/conventions/ghostty-shader.md"

```

Additional Settings

```yaml

detect-urls: false # Skip URL auto-detection prompts

yes-always: false # Require manual confirmation (safer)

```

Usage Examples

Start Aider with default config

```bash

aider

```

Override model via CLI

```bash

aider --model gemini-flash

aider --model sonnet-thinking

```

Use weak model for simple tasks

```bash

aider --model openai/gpt-4o-mini

```

Quick one-off with different base URL

```bash

aider --openai-api-base http://localhost:4460/

```

Customization

1. **Add more aliases**: Extend the `alias` list for frequently used models

2. **Adjust map-tokens**: Increase for larger projects, decrease to save tokens

3. **Enable auto-commits**: Set `auto-commits: true` if you prefer automatic git integration

4. **Add read-only files**: Include project-specific conventions or architecture docs

Reference

Official Aider configuration docs: https://aider.chat/docs/config/aider_conf.html