> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.asterwise.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Aider

> Connect Aider using its OpenAI-compatible API settings.

Before you start, install the tool and create an API key with prepaid balance in the [AsterWise app](https://app.asterwise.dev).

<Note>Based on the tool’s documented custom-provider setup. Live AsterWise compatibility has not yet been tested for this tool.</Note>

## Which API does this use?

This guide selects **Chat Completions** through the `openai/` adapter. The base URL is `https://api.asterwise.dev/v1`. The client builds the full endpoint: `https://api.asterwise.dev/v1/chat/completions`.

The model name chooses AsterCode or AsterWork, not the protocol. Use the base URL in the configuration below, rather than the full endpoint.

## 1. Set the endpoint and key

In a terminal, replace the placeholder with your AsterWise key:

```bash theme={"dark"}
export OPENAI_API_BASE=https://api.asterwise.dev/v1
export OPENAI_API_KEY='your AsterWise API key'
```

Aider uses `OPENAI_API_BASE` here, rather than `OPENAI_BASE_URL`.

## 2. Start Aider in your project

Change into your project directory, then run:

```bash theme={"dark"}
aider --model openai/aster-code
```

The `openai/` prefix selects Aider’s API adapter. The model sent to AsterWise is `aster-code`.

Use `openai/aster-work` to select AsterWork. If Aider warns that a custom model is unknown, review its model settings; do not treat inferred context limits or cost estimates as authoritative. Check actual charges in AsterWise Usage.

## Check the connection

Ask “Reply with hello” first. Confirm a response appears and find the request in **Usage** in AsterWise. Then try a small coding task before a larger project.

For authentication errors, check the key and restart the tool from the terminal where you exported it. See [troubleshooting](/errors-fallback).

## Official reference

Configuration reviewed on September 16, 2026. [Aider OpenAI-compatible APIs](https://aider.chat/docs/llms/openai-compat.html).