Aider is an innovative AI-powered command-line chat tool tailored for pair programming alongside GPT-3.5/GPT-4. It seamlessly integrates into developers’ workflows, allowing them to edit code stored in their local git repository while effortlessly switching between the aider chat and their preferred code editor.
One of Aider’s standout features is its ability to ensure that edits from both developers and GPT are committed to git with descriptive commit messages. Notably, it’s compatible with pre-existing, larger codebases, providing a seamless experience regardless of project size.
Getting started with Aider is straightforward; users can install the tool via pip and set up their OpenAI API key. From the command line, they can launch Aider, specifying the source code files they wish to work on, or let Aider automatically discover all files in a git repo and add them to the chat session.
Aider offers a range of chat commands for managing files, undoing commits, displaying commit diffs, executing shell commands, and even requesting code changes using voice commands. Additionally, it excels in coordinating code changes across multiple source files within a single changeset/commit.
In terms of code editing capabilities, Aider supports popular programming languages like Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, and CSS. Users can request new features, bug fixes, and improvements, or make manual edits using their preferred code editor.
Furthermore, Aider’s ability to provide GPT-4 with a comprehensive map of the entire git repository greatly aids in understanding and modifying large codebases. Overall, Aider fosters a collaborative environment for developers, leveraging AI to enhance code development and streamline version control processes in pair programming scenarios.
