aider
Open-source terminal AI pair programmer. Works with any LLM provider. Bring your own API key.
In plain English
Like a freelance developer you can hire by the hour, and they work with whatever AI brain you choose. Open source, works with Claude, GPT, Gemini, or local models.
Real-world example
You run aider with Claude as the backend and say 'refactor the database layer to use connection pooling.' It reads the relevant files, makes the changes, and creates a git commit with a clear message.
Where this fits in your project
Open-source terminal AI pair programmer. You choose the AI model.
When to use this
When you want an open-source terminal AI tool that works with any LLM provider.
The situation
You want full control over which AI model to use, or you don't want vendor lock-in.
Good for
- + Model flexibility
- + Open-source projects
- + Privacy-conscious developers
- + Cost optimization
Not ideal for
- - Beginners (more setup required)
- - People who want a visual editor
Getting started
Install with pip: `pip install aider-chat`, set your API key, run `aider` in your project.