# Aider — AI Pair Programming in Your Terminal

> Aider is the OG terminal AI pair programmer. Edits multiple files in one prompt, auto-commits each change. 36K+ stars, BYOK 100+ providers via LiteLLM.

## Install

Copy the content below into your project:

## Quick Use

1. `python -m pip install aider-install && aider-install`
2. `export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...` (or any provider)
3. `cd` into any git repo and run `aider` — start typing what to change

---

## Intro

Aider is the original terminal AI pair programmer — predates Cursor, Claude Code, and Codex CLI. Drop into any git repo, tell Aider what to change, it edits multiple files at once and auto-commits each change with a meaningful message. 36K+ stars, BYOK across 100+ providers via LiteLLM. Best for: developers who live in the terminal and want a minimal, model-agnostic agent. Works with: any git repo, any LLM (Claude / GPT / Gemini / DeepSeek / local Ollama). Setup time: under 1 minute.

---

### Install + first run

```bash
# Install
python -m pip install aider-install
aider-install

# Set your API key (Anthropic example — Aider supports 100+ providers)
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...

# In any git repo
cd ~/projects/myapp
aider

# Inside aider, just type
> Add a /health endpoint to the FastAPI app that returns {"status": "ok"}
```

Aider edits the relevant files (auto-detected from your /add or repo map), runs your linter if configured, and commits with a generated message like `feat: add /health endpoint with status ok`.

### Multi-file edits

```
> /add main.py models.py tests/test_main.py
> Refactor User to add a 'plan' field. Update the schema, the API,
  and write a test for the new field.
```

Aider edits all 3 files in one shot, runs `pytest`, commits.

### Pick a model

```bash
# Claude (default)
aider --model sonnet

# OpenAI
aider --model gpt-4o

# DeepSeek
aider --model deepseek/deepseek-coder

# Local Ollama
aider --model ollama/qwen2.5-coder:32b
```

Aider uses LiteLLM under the hood — any provider LiteLLM supports works.

### Architect / Editor split

```bash
aider --model sonnet --editor-model haiku
```

Architect (smart, slow) plans the edit; Editor (fast, cheap) applies it. Saves 60-80% on tokens for large refactors.

---

### FAQ

**Q: Is Aider free?**
A: Yes — Aider itself is open-source under Apache-2.0. You bring your own LLM API key and pay for inference (Claude / GPT / Gemini / etc). Aider works with local Ollama models for fully-free use.

**Q: How does Aider compare to Claude Code?**
A: Aider is older, lighter, model-agnostic (any provider via LiteLLM). Claude Code is Anthropic-specific, with deeper integrations (subagents, slash commands, MCP). For 'I want a CLI agent that just works with my preferred model', Aider wins. For 'I want the full Anthropic agent platform', Claude Code wins.

**Q: Does Aider auto-commit?**
A: Yes — Aider's killer feature. Every edit becomes a separate git commit with a generated message. You can `git revert` any change individually. Disable with `--no-auto-commits` if you prefer.

---

## Source & Thanks

> Built by [Paul Gauthier](https://github.com/paul-gauthier) and the Aider community. Licensed under Apache-2.0.
>
> [Aider-AI/aider](https://github.com/Aider-AI/aider) — ⭐ 36,000+

---

<!-- ZH -->

## 快速使用

1. `python -m pip install aider-install && aider-install`
2. `export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...`（或任何 provider）
3. `cd` 进任何 git 仓库跑 `aider`，开始打字描述要改啥

---

## 简介

Aider 是最早的终端 AI pair programmer —— 比 Cursor / Claude Code / Codex CLI 都早。进任何 git 仓库，告诉它改什么，它一次改多个文件，每次改动自动 commit 带有意义的 message。36000+ stars，通过 LiteLLM 支持 100+ provider 的 BYOK。适合主要在终端干活、想要轻量且模型无关的 agent 的开发者。兼容任何 git 仓库和任何 LLM（Claude / GPT / Gemini / DeepSeek / 本地 Ollama）。装机时间 1 分钟。

---

### 装 + 第一次跑

```bash
# 装
python -m pip install aider-install
aider-install

# 设 API key（Anthropic 示例 —— Aider 支持 100+ provider）
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...

# 在任何 git 仓库
cd ~/projects/myapp
aider

# 进 aider 之后直接打字
> Add a /health endpoint to the FastAPI app that returns {"status": "ok"}
```

Aider 会改相关文件（从 /add 或 repo map 自动识别），跑你配置的 linter，提交一个生成的 message 比如 `feat: add /health endpoint with status ok`。

### 多文件编辑

```
> /add main.py models.py tests/test_main.py
> Refactor User to add a 'plan' field. Update the schema, the API,
  and write a test for the new field.
```

Aider 一次改 3 个文件，跑 `pytest`，commit。

### 选模型

```bash
# Claude（默认）
aider --model sonnet

# OpenAI
aider --model gpt-4o

# DeepSeek
aider --model deepseek/deepseek-coder

# 本地 Ollama
aider --model ollama/qwen2.5-coder:32b
```

Aider 底层用 LiteLLM —— LiteLLM 支持的任何 provider 都行。

### Architect / Editor 双模式

```bash
aider --model sonnet --editor-model haiku
```

Architect（聪明慢）规划改动，Editor（快便宜）执行。大重构能省 60-80% 的 token。

---

### FAQ

**Q: Aider 免费吗？**
A: 免费。Aider 本身 Apache-2.0 开源。你用自己的 LLM API key 付推理费（Claude / GPT / Gemini 等）。配本地 Ollama 模型可以完全免费用。

**Q: Aider 跟 Claude Code 比怎样？**
A: Aider 更老、更轻、模型无关（通过 LiteLLM 支持任何 provider）。Claude Code 绑 Anthropic，集成更深（subagent、slash 命令、MCP）。「想要一个 CLI agent 直接配我喜欢的模型」选 Aider；「想要完整 Anthropic agent 平台」选 Claude Code。

**Q: Aider 自动 commit 吗？**
A: 自动。这是它的杀手特性。每次编辑变成一个独立的 git commit，message 自动生成。每次改动都能 `git revert`。不想要可以加 `--no-auto-commits`。

---

## 来源与感谢

> Built by [Paul Gauthier](https://github.com/paul-gauthier) and the Aider community. Licensed under Apache-2.0.
>
> [Aider-AI/aider](https://github.com/Aider-AI/aider) — ⭐ 36,000+


---
Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/aider-ai-pair-programming-in-your-terminal
Author: Aider