Aider
Open-source AI pair programmer that lets you edit code across your entire repo directly from the terminal
Free and open-source; requires your own LLM API keys (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.)
Overview
Aider is a command-line AI coding assistant that works directly in your terminal alongside git. You point it at your codebase, describe what you want, and it edits the right files, runs tests, and commits changes — all without leaving your shell. It supports GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, and local models, and its git integration means every change is tracked and reversible.
Key Features
- Works entirely from the terminal — no IDE plugin or GUI required
- Native git integration: auto-commits every AI-generated change with a descriptive message
- Whole-repo awareness: references any file in your project by name
- Supports 100+ LLMs including OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, and local models via Ollama
- Architect mode for planning multi-file changes before executing
- Voice coding support for hands-free development
Pricing: Free and open-source; requires your own LLM API keys (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.)
Pros
- Works with any LLM — OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, or local models
- Deep git integration with automatic commits per change
- Edits multiple files coherently in a single session
- Free and open-source with an active community
Cons
- Terminal-only — no GUI or IDE integration
- Requires API keys and API costs from LLM providers
- Steeper learning curve than VS Code plugins
Tags
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