Aider: AI Coding Assistant

Aider

Open-Source AI Coding Assistant for Developers

What is Aider
Artificial Intelligence is changing software development by making coding quicker, smarter, and more collaborative. Aider is an open-source AI pair programming tool that runs directly in your terminal, giving developers a seamless command-line coding assistant that integrates naturally into their workflow.

Aider, an AI coding assistant with the power of LLMs, can generate new code in over 100 programming languages, refactor existing code, manage version control through Git, map entire codebases, and even take instructions through voice commands. Aider supports leading models like Claude 3.7 Sonnet, DeepSeek R1 & Chat V3, and OpenAI’s o1, o3-mini, and GPT-4o, as well as local LLMs, offering flexibility to match any project’s needs.

How to Use Aider?

Getting started with Aider is simple, even if you’re new to LLM in terminal environments. Here are the steps:

Install Aider: Aider can be installed via pip:

python -m pip install aider-install
aider-install

  • Navigate to Your Project: Move into your project’s directory:

cd /path/to/your/project

  • Run Aider with a Model: Choose your preferred LLM and API key:

 aider --model deepseek --api-key deepseek=<key>

 aider --model sonnet --api-key anthropic=<key>

 aider --model o3-mini --api-key openai=<key>

  • Start Pair Programming: You can ask Aider to generate code, refactor functions, add tests, or fix bugs. You can even talk to it using the voice-to-code feature.

  • Review Git Commits: Aider tracks every change with Git integration, letting you review commits, compare diffs, and roll back updates when needed.

Technical Highlights

  • Broad LLM Compatibility: Aider works with Claude 3.7 Sonnet, DeepSeek R1 & Chat V3, OpenAI o1, o3-mini, GPT-4o, and even local models, giving developers the flexibility to choose what fits best.

  • Codebase Mapping Technology: Aider builds a map of your project, enabling easier navigation, smarter code generation, and cleaner refactoring.

  • Git Integration: Every change is automatically committed with clear messages. You can track, compare, and revert updates like any other Git workflow.

  • Voice-to-Code Interaction: Simply describe what you need, new functions, tests, or bug fixes, and Aider will add it to your codebase.

  • Automated Testing and Linting: Aider runs tests and linting after every change, fixing issues when needed to keep your code reliable and clean.
Features
  • Terminal-Based AI Assistant: Aider runs directly in your terminal, making it a lightweight and seamless coding assistant for developers.

  • 100+ Language Support: Aider is a versatile programming assistant as it can support Python, JavaScript, Rust, Ruby, Go, C++, PHP, HTML, CSS, and many more programming languages.

  • Context-Aware Edits: With codebase mapping, Aider understands large projects and generates code that fits smoothly into your architecture.

  • Image and Web Context Support: You can share screenshots, web pages, or docs with Aider to give extra context for coding tasks.

  • Flexible LLM Access: Aider works best with APIs but also supports LLMs through web chat, streamlining copy-paste workflows.
Benefits
  • Boosted Developer Productivity: Aider automates tasks such as code generation, linting, and testing, allowing developers more time for complex work.

  • Smarter Coding Workflow: Voice-to-code and Git integration make coding faster and safer, with every change tracked and reversible.

  • Improved Code Quality: With built-in linting, testing, and code refactoring, Aider ensures cleaner, maintainable, and bug-free code.

  • Collaborative AI Partner: Aider works like a coding partner, helping you brainstorm, explore solutions, and write code together.

  • Open-Source and Community-Driven: As an open-source tool, Aider grows with community feedback and contributions, ensuring it stays powerful and reliable.

Aider is an AI coding assistant that runs in your terminal. With Git integration, codebase mapping, voice-to-code, and automated testing, coding becomes faster, smarter, and more reliable. It supports top LLMs like Claude, DeepSeek, and GPT-4o, and works locally or in the cloud, helping developers boost productivity and improve code quality.
Pricing
Open-Source & Free

  • Aider itself is completely free and open-source. You can install and use it at no cost, no subscription or licensing fees.

  • The only costs you incur are from the API usage, based on the external LLM provider you choose (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek).

Has Free Trial

The latest revision of this document was made on 01 September, 2025.

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ai code completion code completion tool code assistant code completion ai code review code challenges ai assistant

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