Aider: the git-first AI pair

Prereq

• Python 3.11+ (via pyenv or system)
• git 2.40+ with user.name / user.email set
• Any provider key: Anthropic, OpenAI, or OVTH Gateway

Steps

01. Install cleanly

pipx install aider-chat
aider --version  # 0.82.0

02. Branch before you prompt

cd ~/projects/your-app
git checkout -b aider/refactor-auth
aider --model claude-opus-4.7

Aider reads your repo, builds a repo-map, and commits each accepted change with a generated message prefixed aider:.

03. Swap models mid-session

/model gpt-5.4           # heavier reasoning
/model gemini-2.5-flash  # cheap bulk edits
/model ollama/qwen3-32b  # local, private

04. Use /add sparingly

/add src/auth/*.ts
/drop src/auth/legacy.ts

Fewer files in context = sharper edits + cheaper tokens. Aider’s repo-map already gives it the shape.

05. Review the commit, then merge

git log --oneline -5
git diff HEAD~3
git checkout main && git merge --no-ff aider/refactor-auth

Next

• Pair Aider with OVTH Gateway for failover
• Run Aider against a self-hosted Ollama model