175 lines
4.3 KiB
Markdown
175 lines
4.3 KiB
Markdown
# Aider Quick Start Guide
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## What is Aider?
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Aider is your **local, free AI coding assistant** that works with Ollama. It saves Claude API tokens for routine coding tasks.
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## Setup Complete! ✓
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- Aider installed
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- Ollama configured with two models:
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- `qwen2.5-coder:7b-instruct` (fast, 8GB VRAM)
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- `qwen2.5-coder:14b-instruct` (smart, uses some RAM)
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- Config file: `~/.aider.conf.yml`
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- Helper functions: `C:\Users\Fred\projects\aider-helpers.ps1`
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## Quick Start
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### 1. Load Helper Functions (One Time Setup)
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Add this line to your PowerShell profile:
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```powershell
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. C:\Users\Fred\projects\aider-helpers.ps1
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```
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To find your profile location:
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```powershell
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$PROFILE
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```
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Or run the helpers manually each session:
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```powershell
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. C:\Users\Fred\projects\aider-helpers.ps1
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```
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### 2. Basic Usage
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```powershell
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# Navigate to your project
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cd C:\Users\Fred\projects\VA-Strategy
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# Start Aider (uses 7b model by default)
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aider-fast
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# Or use the smarter model for complex tasks
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aider-smart
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# Or use plain aider (reads .aider.conf.yml)
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aider
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```
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### 3. Inside Aider
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```
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> Add a function to parse headache log entries
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> Refactor the PTSD statement generator
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> Add error handling to the tracking module
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> /help # see all commands
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> /exit # quit
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```
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## When to Use What
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### Use Aider (Local) for:
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- ✅ Refactoring code
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- ✅ Writing boilerplate
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- ✅ Adding simple features
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- ✅ Code reviews
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- ✅ Fixing simple bugs
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- ✅ Documentation
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- ✅ Test writing
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Cost: **$0** (completely free, uses your GPU)
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### Use Claude Code for:
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- 🎯 Complex architectural decisions
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- 🎯 Multi-file refactors requiring deep understanding
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- 🎯 Difficult debugging
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- 🎯 Planning new features
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- 🎯 Strategic code design
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Cost: ~$3-15 per million tokens (monthly limit)
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## Helper Commands
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```powershell
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aider-fast # Fast 7b model (everyday coding)
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aider-smart # Powerful 14b model (complex tasks)
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aider-plan # Architect mode (planning)
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aider-commit # Generate git commit messages
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aider-watch # Auto-reload on file changes
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aider-status # Show available models and commands
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aider-estimate # Compare token costs
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```
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## Examples
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### Example 1: Simple Refactor
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```powershell
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cd C:\Users\Fred\projects\VA-Strategy
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aider-fast tracking/headache-log.py
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> Refactor this to use dataclasses instead of dictionaries
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```
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### Example 2: Add Feature
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```powershell
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cd C:\Users\Fred\projects\infrastructure\voice-assistant
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aider-fast
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> Add a new command to check system temperature
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> /add sensors.py utils.py
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> Make sure it logs to the debug file
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```
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### Example 3: Git Commit
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```powershell
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git add .
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aider-commit
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# Aider will analyze changes and suggest a commit message
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```
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## Tips
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1. **Start Small**: Try Aider on simple tasks first to get comfortable
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2. **Use Git**: Aider works best with git repos (can auto-commit)
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3. **Be Specific**: Clear prompts get better results ("Add error handling for missing files" vs "make it better")
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4. **Switch Models**: Use 7b for speed, 14b for quality
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5. **Save Claude Tokens**: Use Aider for 80% of tasks, Claude for the 20% that need genius-level reasoning
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## Token Savings Example
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**Typical Day:**
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- 10 simple refactors: Aider (free) instead of Claude ($0.30)
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- 5 feature additions: Aider (free) instead of Claude ($0.75)
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- 3 bug fixes: Aider (free) instead of Claude ($0.45)
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- 2 complex architecture tasks: Claude ($0.60)
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**Total saved: $1.50/day = $45/month**
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## Troubleshooting
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### Ollama not running
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```powershell
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# Check Ollama status
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ollama list
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# Restart Ollama if needed (it should auto-start)
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```
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### Model too slow
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```powershell
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# Switch to faster 7b model
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aider --model ollama/qwen2.5-coder:7b-instruct
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```
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### Need better quality
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```powershell
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# Switch to smarter 14b model
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aider --model ollama/qwen2.5-coder:14b-instruct
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```
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## Next Steps
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1. Load the helper functions in your PowerShell profile
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2. Try `aider-status` to verify everything works
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3. Navigate to a project and run `aider-fast`
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4. Start with a simple task like "Add a docstring to this function"
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---
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**Happy coding!** You're now set up to save Claude tokens while maintaining productivity.
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For full Aider documentation: https://aider.chat
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