Installing aider

Python version

Aider currently works with python 3.9-3.12.

Install git

Make sure you have git installed. Here are instructions for installing git in various environments.

Get your API key

To work with OpenAI’s models like GPT-4o or GPT-3.5 you need a paid OpenAI API key. Note that this is different than being a “ChatGPT Plus” subscriber.

To work with Anthropic’s models like Claude 3.5 Sonnet you need a paid Anthropic API key.

Using a Python virtual environment is recommended. Or, you could use pipx to install aider once for your whole system.

Mac/Linux install 

# Install aider
python -m pip install -U --upgrade-strategy only-if-needed aider-chat

# To work with GPT-4o:
$ aider --4o --openai-api-key sk-xxx...

# To work with Claude 3.5 Sonnet:
$ aider --sonnet --anthropic-api-key sk-xxx...

Windows install 

# Install aider
python -m pip install -U --upgrade-strategy only-if-needed aider-chat

# To work with GPT-4o:
$ aider --4o --openai-api-key sk-xxx...

# To work with Claude 3.5 Sonnet:
$ aider --sonnet --anthropic-api-key sk-xxx...

In some environments you may get “aider command not found” errors. You can try python -m aider or see here for more info.

Working with other LLMs

Aider works best with GPT-4o & Claude 3.5 Sonnet and can connect to almost any LLM.

You are done!

There are some optional install steps you could consider. See the usage instructions to start coding with aider.