Aider

What is Aider?

Aider is a command-line tool for pair programming with large language models. You start it inside a project directory, name a model, and ask for new features, fixes or refactors in plain language; aider edits the files in your local git repository and commits each change with a sensible message, so ordinary git commands can diff or undo what the AI did. It builds a map of the whole codebase to give the model context in larger projects, supports more than 100 programming languages, and can lint and run tests after each edit, then try to repair any failures. You can add images and web pages to a chat, speak requests by voice, or leave comments in your IDE for aider to pick up. It connects to many providers, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, DeepSeek, Ollama and Amazon Bedrock, so there is no aider subscription; you pay only the model provider you use. The project also publishes LLM code-editing leaderboards and says it writes much of its own code.

Use cases

• Add features to an existing codebase
• Fix bugs by describing them in chat
• Refactor code across several files
• Generate tests and fix failing ones
• Start a new project from a prompt
• Edit config files and documentation
• Code by voice command

Who it's for

• Software developers
• Terminal users
• Open-source contributors
• Engineering teams

Why use Aider

• Every AI edit becomes a git commit, so you can review, diff and revert changes with tools you already use.
• Model choice is yours, from hosted APIs to local models, which helps with cost and privacy preferences.
• The repository map lets it work on projects bigger than a single file.
• Automatic lint and test runs catch mistakes the model introduces before you do.
• The tool itself carries no subscription fee.

Aider features

• Terminal chat that edits files in your local git repo
• Automatic git commits with generated messages
• Repository map of the whole codebase for context
• Support for 100+ programming languages
• Works with cloud and local LLMs, including Ollama and LM Studio
• Automatic linting and testing after each change
• Voice-to-code requests
• Images and web pages can be added to the chat
• Code, architect, ask and help chat modes
• Prompt caching and scripting from the command line or Python
• IDE use through comments that aider watches for

Aider integrations

• OpenAI
• Anthropic
• Gemini
• DeepSeek
• Groq
• xAI
• Azure
• Cohere
• Ollama
• LM Studio
• OpenRouter
• GitHub Copilot
• Vertex AI
• Amazon Bedrock

How to get started with Aider

1. Install aider with pip, then change into your project directory.
2. Launch aider with a model name and your API key, for example for DeepSeek, Claude or an OpenAI model.
3. Describe the change you want and add the relevant files to the chat.
4. Aider edits the files, runs linters and tests if configured, and commits the result to git for you to review or undo.

Aider limitations

• You must supply your own API key or local model, and provider usage is billed separately
• Result quality depends on the model you connect
• Works through the terminal; IDE use relies on comment watching rather than a native plugin

Aider pricing

Aider is open source, so you can use and self-host it for free.

Prices can change and may vary by country or exclude tax. Check the official pricing page.

Aider alternatives

The main Aider alternatives listed on Debuly are Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Cline, Continue and Gemini CLI. The table compares pricing and platforms; order is A–Z.

1. 

   Claude Code

   Anthropic's coding agent that fixes bugs, writes tests and runs migrations from your terminal, IDE, desktop app, web or Slack.

   CodingAutomation and agentsDeveloper platforms
   PaidVisit Claude Code (official site)
2. 

   Cline

   Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains, the terminal and desktop that edits files and runs commands with your approval.

   CodingDeveloper platformsAutomation and agents
   Open sourceVisit Cline (official site)
3. 

   Continue

   Open-source AI coding assistant for VS Code and JetBrains with chat, agent, edit and autocomplete modes, now part of Cursor.

   CodingDeveloper platforms
   Open sourceVisit Continue (official site)
4. 

   Cursor

   AI code editor and coding agent with cloud agents, Bugbot code review and multi-provider models, sold with Grok and X plans.

   CodingAutomation and agentsDeveloper platforms
   FreemiumVisit Cursor (official site)
5. 

   Gemini CLI

   Open-source command-line agent from Google that runs Gemini models in your terminal to read, edit and automate work in local projects.

   CodingAutomation and agentsDeveloper platforms
   Open sourceVisit Gemini CLI (official site)
6. 

   GitHub Copilot

   GitHub's AI coding assistant for code completion, chat and agents in VS Code, JetBrains, Visual Studio, the CLI and GitHub.com.

   CodingAutomation and agents
   FreemiumVisit GitHub Copilot (official site)

Aider FAQ

Sources & verification

Facts on this page come from the official sources below, each with the date we read it. Written by Debuly; the vendor did not review this page.

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