Getting Started with Aider: AI-Powered Coding from the Terminal

If you’re tired of switching between your terminal and IDE just to get AI assistance with your code, Aider offers a compelling alternative. This open-source Aider AI coding assistant brings LLM-powered pair programming directly to your command line, working seamlessly with your existing git repositories without requiring any IDE plugins or browser tabs.

What is Aider? Understanding the Terminal-First Approach

Aider is a command-line tool that connects your local git repository to modern LLMs like GPT-4o, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, or DeepSeek. Unlike GitHub Copilot or Cursor, which operate as IDE extensions, Aider embraces an Aider terminal workflow that fits naturally into command-line-centric development practices.

The tool creates a repository map—essentially a collection of function signatures and file structures—that gives the LLM context about your entire codebase. This enables intelligent, multi-file edits that respect your project’s architecture while maintaining clean git history with automatic, descriptive commits.

Installation: Multiple Paths for Different Workflows

Quick Setup with pip

The simplest installation uses Python’s package manager:

python -m pip install aider-install

For isolated environments, consider using pipx or uv:

pipx install aider-chat
# or
uv tool install aider-chat

Docker Alternative

For complete isolation or CI/CD integration:

docker pull paulgauthier/aider
docker run -it --volume $(pwd):/app paulgauthier/aider --openai-api-key $OPENAI_API_KEY

Prerequisites and Troubleshooting

Aider requires Python 3.9+ and git. Common installation issues include:

• Python version conflicts: Use virtual environments or pyenv
• Permission errors on Windows: Run PowerShell as administrator
• Missing git: Install via your system’s package manager

Core Workflow: AI Pair Programming CLI in Action

Starting Your Session

Navigate to any git repository and launch Aider:

cd your-project
aider

The tool starts in “code mode” by default, ready to make direct file edits.

Adding Files to Context

Specify files for Aider to work with:

# Start with specific files
aider src/main.js src/utils.js

# Or add files during the session
/add src/components/Button.jsx

Pro tip: Only add files you need edited. Aider automatically pulls context from related files without explicitly adding them, keeping token usage efficient.

Making Changes Through Natural Language

Request changes using plain English:

Add error handling to the fetchData function with retry logic

Refactor the UserService class to use dependency injection

Write unit tests for the authentication module

Aider shows you diffs before committing, ensuring transparency in every change.

Essential Slash Commands for Efficient Workflows

The AI pair programming CLI experience centers around these key commands:

• /add - Include files in the editing context
• /drop - Remove files to free up token space
• /undo - Revert the last Aider-made commit
• /diff - Review recent changes
• /model claude-3-5-sonnet - Switch between LLMs mid-session
• /tokens - Monitor context usage and costs
• /run pytest - Execute tests and let Aider fix failures

Configuration: API Keys and Environment Setup

Setting Up LLM Connections

Create a .env file in your project root or home directory:

OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...
DEEPSEEK_API_KEY=...

For local models via Ollama:

# Start Ollama server first
ollama serve

# Then use with Aider
aider --model ollama/deepseek-coder-v2

Advanced Configuration with YAML

Create .aider.conf.yml for persistent settings:

model: gpt-4o
auto-commits: true
dark-mode: true
edit-format: diff

Aider vs IDE Tools: Making the Right Choice

When Aider Excels

The Aider terminal workflow shines for developers who:

• Prefer vim, emacs, or terminal-based editors
• Work extensively via SSH on remote servers
• Value git-first development with clean commit history
• Need scriptable, reproducible AI assistance
• Want full control over LLM selection and costs

Trade-offs Compared to IDE Extensions

Unlike Copilot or Cursor, Aider:

• Requires explicit file context management
• Doesn’t offer inline completions
• Works independently of your editor choice
• Provides complete transparency in token usage
• Supports switching between multiple LLMs mid-session via chat commands

Cost Optimization and Performance

Monitor token usage with /tokens and optimize by:

• Using /drop to remove unnecessary files
• Switching to efficient models like DeepSeek for simple tasks
• Enabling prompt caching with --cache-prompts for Anthropic models
• Leveraging local models for privacy-sensitive code

Typical costs range from $0.01-0.10 per feature implementation with GPT-4o, significantly less with DeepSeek or local models.

Conclusion

Aider represents a different philosophy in AI-assisted development—one that prioritizes terminal efficiency, git integration, and developer control over IDE convenience. For developers comfortable with command-line workflows who want transparent, powerful AI assistance without leaving their terminal, Aider offers a compelling alternative to traditional IDE-based tools. Its ability to work with any editor, support multiple LLMs, and maintain clean git history makes it particularly valuable for teams with diverse tooling preferences or strict development workflows.

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