Aider

Configure Aider, the terminal-based AI pair programmer, to use Cheapa API for powerful code generation and modification.

What This Does

Aider is a command-line tool that lets you edit code through natural language conversations. It can read your codebase, make precise edits, and even commit changes to git. By connecting Aider to Cheapa API, you gain access to powerful models while managing all your AI spending through a single account.

Setup

Step 1: Install Aider

pip install aider-chat

Or with pipx for isolation:

pipx install aider-chat

Step 2: Set Environment Variables

Aider uses OpenAI-style environment variables. Set them in your shell:

export OPENAI_API_BASE="https://api.cheapaapi.com/v1"
export OPENAI_API_KEY="YOUR_Cheapa API_API_KEY"

Replace YOUR_Cheapa API_API_KEY with your actual key from cheapaapi.com/keys.

Step 3: Persist the Configuration

Add the exports to your shell profile for persistence:

Zsh (~/.zshrc):

echo 'export OPENAI_API_BASE="https://api.cheapaapi.com/v1"' >> ~/.zshrc
echo 'export OPENAI_API_KEY="YOUR_Cheapa API_API_KEY"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

Bash (~/.bashrc):

echo 'export OPENAI_API_BASE="https://api.cheapaapi.com/v1"' >> ~/.bashrc
echo 'export OPENAI_API_KEY="YOUR_Cheapa API_API_KEY"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Step 4: Launch Aider with Your Model

Navigate to your project directory and start Aider:

cd /path/to/your/project
aider --model kimi-k2.7-code

Or specify a different model:

aider --model deepseek-v4-pro
aider --model minimax-m3
aider --model glm-5.1

Step 5: Add Files to the Chat

Once Aider is running, add the files you want to work on:

> add main.py utils.py

Then start chatting naturally about what changes you want.

Recommended Models for Aider

Task	Model	Rationale
Code-specialized reasoning	`kimi-k2.7-code`	Moonshot's code-tuned K2.7 — best for generation and refactoring
Frontier code reasoning	`claude-opus-4.8`	Anthropic flagship — best at architectural changes and tricky bugs
Strong general dev	`gpt-5.5` or `gpt-5.4`	OpenAI's latest GPT-5 family, 1M context
Cost-balanced sessions	`claude-sonnet-4.6`	Strong code reasoning at lower cost than Opus
General development	`deepseek-v4-pro`	Optimized for code edits
Complex refactoring	`kimi-k2.6`	Strong reasoning for architectural changes
Large codebases	`minimax-m3` or `gpt-5.5`	1M context fits more files
Quick fixes	`gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview` or `glm-5.1`	Fast iteration, low cost

Command Reference

Command	Description
`aider --model kimi-k2.7-code`	Start with the code-specialized default
`aider --list-models`	Show available models
`aider file1.py file2.py`	Start with specific files
`aider --auto-commits`	Auto-commit changes
`aider --no-auto-commits`	Disable auto-commits

Troubleshooting

"API key not found" error

Ensure OPENAI_API_KEY is exported in your current shell
Run echo $OPENAI_API_KEY to verify it's set

"Model not available" error

Use the exact model slug from the Models reference
Try aider --list-models to see what Aider detects

Connection timeout

Verify OPENAI_API_BASE is exactly https://api.cheapaapi.com/v1
Check your network can reach api.cheapaapi.com

Slow responses on large files

Use a model with larger context: minimax-m3
Add fewer files to the chat context at once

Changes not applying correctly

Ensure files are added to the chat with add <filename>
Check that Aider has write permissions in the directory

Notes

Aider works best when you add relevant files to context before asking for changes
It integrates with git — commits are created automatically unless disabled
Use --dry-run to preview changes without modifying files
All token usage appears in your Cheapa API dashboard immediately
For sensitive projects, consider using --no-auto-commits to review before committing

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