Aider

How Do I Install and Run Aider?

1. Install via pip: pip install aider-chat
2. Set your API key: export OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-... (or ANTHROPIC_API_KEY for Claude)
3. Navigate to your Git repo: cd my-project
4. Run Aider: aider (or aider --model claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022 for Claude)
5. Add files to context: /add src/main.py, then describe what to change in plain English

Also see: Claude Code · Cursor

Which AI Models Does Aider Support?

Aider supports GPT-4o, GPT-4 Turbo, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude 3 Opus, DeepSeek Coder V2, and local models via Ollama or LM Studio. You specify the model with --model at startup. Claude 3.5 Sonnet is often recommended for complex multi-file refactors; GPT-4o for speed and cost. Local models work best for simple, single-file edits.

Also see: Claude Code · Ollama

How Is Aider Different From Cursor or GitHub Copilot?

Aider is terminal-native and Git-first — it runs in your existing shell, works with any editor, and commits every change directly to Git with a structured commit message. Cursor is an IDE replacement (VS Code fork) with a GUI and proprietary codebase indexing. GitHub Copilot is an in-editor autocomplete assistant. Aider's advantages: open-source, model-agnostic (you bring your own API key), zero vendor lock-in, and the Git history is always clean and attributable.

Also see: Cursor · Windsurf