What it is: AI pair programming in your terminal. Chat with GPT-4 or Claude to edit code files. Git-integrated, codebase-aware.

What It Does Best

Terminal native. No IDE needed. Works with any editor. Type requests, Aider edits files and commits changes.

Git workflow integration. Automatic commits with descriptive messages. Easy to review, rollback, or modify AI changes.

Multi-file edits. Add files to context. Aider understands relationships. Refactors across your entire codebase.

Key Features

Model flexibility: Works with GPT-4, Claude, and other LLMs

Git automation: Automatic commits with meaningful messages

Multi-file context: Reference and edit multiple files simultaneously

Repository map: AI understands project structure and relationships

Voice mode: Dictate coding requests hands-free

Pricing

Aider: Free and open-source

API costs: Bring your own OpenAI or Anthropic API key

GPT-4: ~$0.03-0.06 per 1K tokens

When to Use It

✅ Prefer terminal workflow over GUI

✅ Want precise control over AI edits

✅ Need multi-file refactoring with AI

✅ Use editor without good AI plugins (Vim, Emacs)

✅ Want git-integrated AI coding workflow

When NOT to Use It

❌ Want everything in one IDE

❌ Uncomfortable with command line

❌ Prefer inline suggestions while typing

❌ Need visual code editor features

❌ Don't want to manage API keys

Common Use Cases

Large refactors: Rename functions, restructure modules across files

Feature implementation: Build features with multiple file changes

Bug fixes: Trace and fix bugs spanning multiple files

Code migration: Port code between frameworks or languages

Documentation: Generate and update docs across codebase

Aider vs Alternatives

vs GitHub Copilot: Aider does multi-file edits, Copilot does inline completion

vs Cursor: Aider is terminal-based, Cursor is full IDE

vs ChatGPT: Aider directly edits files and commits, ChatGPT just generates code

Unique Strengths

Editor agnostic: Use any text editor you prefer

Git-first design: Every change is a reviewable commit

Codebase mapping: Understands file relationships automatically

Open source: Free tool, just pay for API usage

Visit Aider →

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