How to Use Aider with the Ollama Model

Introduction

Aider is a powerful AI pair programming tool that integrates with various language models, including those from Ollama. This guide will walk you through setting up and using Aider with the Ollama model.

Prerequisites

Python: Ensure Python is installed on your system.
Git: Install Git for version control.
Ollama Server: Make sure the Ollama server is running locally.

Installation Steps

Install Aider: Open your terminal or command prompt and run:

   python -m pip install aider-chat

Set Environment Variable: Configure the API base for Ollama:

   export OLLAMA_API_BASE=http://127.0.0.1:11434

For Windows PowerShell, use:

   $env:OLLAMA_API_BASE = "http://127.0.0.1:11434"

Run Aider with Ollama Model: Execute the following command to start Aider with the specified model:

   aider --model ollama/llama3:70b

Usage

Initialize Git Repository: If prompted, allow Aider to create a Git repository to track changes.
Interact with Aider: Use commands within Aider to interact with the model and assist in programming tasks.
Help Command: Type /help <question> or aider --help for assistance with commands and options.

Tips for Effective Use

Version Control: Utilize Git to manage changes efficiently.
Experiment with Models: Try different models to see which best suits your needs.
Explore Features: Use Aider's features like diff editing to enhance your coding workflow.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively integrate Aider into your development process using the Ollama model. This setup provides a robust environment for AI-assisted programming, enhancing productivity and code quality.

Feel free to customize this guide further based on your specific requirements or audience!

aider in terminal