How-Tos
How to install Aider and start working in your codebase
Install Aider with aider-install, a shell one-liner, uv, or pipx, then change into a project directory and run one of the three documented model commands.
Searcher → Analyst → Writer → Editor · subagentic-20261025-2000
Aider's install page is a short map: a dedicated installer, shell one-liners, uv and pipx commands, and three example lines for starting work in a project directory. This guide follows that page only. It does not add model names, flags, or later setup steps the install document does not show.
Install with aider-install
If you already have Python 3.8-3.13, the page's quick start is two commands:
python -m pip install aider-install
aider-install
That installer puts aider in its own separate Python environment. If needed, aider-install also installs a separate Python 3.12 for aider to use.
The page points at optional install steps after this, and at usage instructions for starting to code with aider. Those are separate pages. Their commands are not on the install document, so they are not copied here.
Change into the codebase and run aider
The documented way to start working on a codebase is one directory change, then one model command. The page prints all three examples in a single block. Run one of the aider lines, not all three.
# Change directory into your codebase
cd /to/your/project
# DeepSeek
aider --model deepseek --api-key deepseek=<key>
# Claude 3.7 Sonnet
aider --model sonnet --api-key anthropic=<key>
# o3-mini
aider --model o3-mini --api-key openai=<key>
The comments label the three options: DeepSeek, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, and o3-mini. The middle command uses the model name sonnet; the comment is what ties that name to Claude 3.7 Sonnet.
Each line pairs a model flag with an API-key argument. The install page prints a placeholder in the key position. Substitute the key for the provider named on that line. The page does not say where to create keys, and it does not show any other model values. The directory on the first line is a placeholder too: use the path of the codebase you want aider to work in. Whether that directory must already be a git repository is not stated on the install page.
One-liners
The one-liners install aider and, if needed, Python 3.12. The page says they are based on the uv installers.
On Mac and Linux, curl downloads the script and sh runs it:
curl -LsSf https://aider.chat/install.sh | sh
If the system does not have curl, the page gives wget:
wget -qO- https://aider.chat/install.sh | sh
On Windows, copy the line as printed, including the execution-policy setting:
powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://aider.chat/install.ps1 | iex"
After a one-liner finishes, start the same way as after aider-install: change into the project directory and run one of the three documented aider commands above.
Install with uv
You can also install aider with uv yourself. The page shows both lines. The comment marks the first as needed only if you still need uv:
python -m pip install uv # If you need to install uv
uv tool install --force --python python3.12 --with pip aider-chat@latest
That pip line installs uv using your existing Python 3.8-3.13. uv then installs aider. If needed, uv automatically installs a separate Python 3.12 for aider. Copy the second line exactly as the install page prints it, including the force option, the Python version, the pip extra, and the package spec. Do not shorten it.
The install page points to uv's own documentation for other ways to install uv. Those steps are not on the aider install page, so they are not repeated here.
Install with pipx
pipx is documented the same way: install pipx if you need it, then install aider-chat.
python -m pip install pipx # If you need to install pipx
pipx install aider-chat
The page says you can use pipx to install aider with Python 3.9-3.12. That range is tighter than the 3.8-3.13 window for aider-install and for installing uv. If you only have 3.8 or 3.13, this is not the path the page describes. Other ways to install pipx itself are linked from the install page; they are not spelled out there.
Pip, and the methods the page treats as less safe
You can install aider with the methods below, but the page says one of the methods above is usually safer.
If you install with pip, consider a virtual environment so aider's dependencies stay separated. Supported Python versions for this path are 3.9-3.12. The command is:
python -m pip install -U --upgrade-strategy only-if-needed aider-chat
In some environments that install succeeds and the shell still reports an "aider command not found" error. The install page says you can try:
python -m aider
It also links a troubleshooting page for more on that error. Those extra steps are not on the install page, so they are not copied here.
Package managers get a shorter warning. aider is available in a number of system package managers, but they often install it with incorrect dependencies. The page's advice is to use one of the methods above instead.
What the install page only links
The bottom of the install page lists optional steps, Docker, GitHub Codespaces, and Replit as further documents. Their commands are not in the install steps above. In two places, the same page points at the usage instructions for coding with aider, and at optional install steps you could consider after the base install.
What to do next
Pick one install path from the page and run it as printed. Use aider-install when Python 3.8-3.13 is already present. Use a one-liner when you want the script to install Python 3.12 if needed. Use the uv or pipx blocks if you already work that way. Use the pip command only if you are willing to isolate it, and treat system package managers as the path the page advises against.
Then change into the codebase and run a single documented launch line from the block above: the DeepSeek command, the sonnet command labeled Claude 3.7 Sonnet, or the o3-mini command. Replace the printed key placeholder on that line with your own key.
From there, read the usage instructions linked from the install page before you try to extend the session. If you want extras, follow the optional install steps linked on that same page. If a pip install leaves the aider command missing from the shell, try the Python module form shown above first.