Aider vs ForgeCode

What is Aider?

Aider is an AI Code tool that facilitates AI pair programming in your terminal. Its main job is to assist developers in starting new projects or building on existing codebases.

Who is Aider for?

Aider is designed for developers and programmers who want to enhance their coding efficiency through AI assistance. It is particularly useful for those working on larger projects or looking to integrate voice commands into their coding workflow.

What can I do with Aider?

With Aider, you can engage in AI pair programming, utilize Git integration for managing code changes, and employ voice-to-code functionality for hands-free coding. Additionally, Aider offers linting and testing to ensure code quality.

How much does Aider cost?

Aider publishes a custom / contact-sales pricing model — get a quote on their site.

How is Aider different from alternatives?

Aider differentiates itself by offering a flexible integration with various LLMs and a strong focus on in-IDE usage, allowing developers to interact with AI directly within their coding environment.

What are the prerequisites for installing ForgeCode?

- A [Nerd Font](https://www.nerdfonts.com/) installed and enabled in your terminal (for example, [FiraCode Nerd Font](https://www.nerdfonts.com/font-downloads)) - [Zsh](https://github.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/wiki/Installing-ZSH) installed and configured

How do I install the ForgeCode binary?

```bash curl -fsSL https://forgecode.dev/cli | sh ``` This works on macOS, Linux, Android, and Windows via WSL or Git Bash. Verify the installation: ```bash forge --help ```

How do I configure the Zsh plugin?

ForgeCode integrates with Zsh to let you send prompts directly from your shell prompt. Run the setup wizard: ```bash forge zsh setup ``` Follow the interactive prompts. Once complete, **you must restart your terminal** for the plugin to take effect. Open a new terminal window, or reload the current session: ```bash exec zsh ``` important The Zsh plugin will not be active until you restart your terminal. If the `:` prompt trigger isn't working, this is the most common cause. If you're still having trouble, run the diagnostics command: ```bash forge zsh doctor ``` This checks your environment and reports any configuration issues with the Zsh plugin.

How do I log in to an AI provider?

ForgeCode needs access to at least one AI model. Run: ```bash :login ``` This walks you through selecting a provider and entering your API key. **If you already have a [ChatGPT Plus](https://chatgpt.com/pricing) or [Claude](https://claude.com/pricing) subscription**, select the corresponding provider (OpenAI or Anthropic) and use that subscription's API access instead of buying a separate key. Recommended providers - [OpenRouter](https://openrouter.ai/) — one key, 300+ models from every major vendor - [OpenAI](https://platform.openai.com/) — GPT Codex series - [Anthropic](https://console.anthropic.com/) — Claude Sonnet and Opus series Recommended models - **Proprietary:** Claude Sonnet & Opus series, GPT Codex series - **Open-source:** GLM, Kimi, Minimax After logging in, pick a model: ```bash :model ``` Browse the list, type to filter, and press Enter. ForgeCode remembers your choice across sessions. You can change it anytime.

How do I send my first prompt?

With the Zsh plugin active and the LLM provider set up, type `:` followed by a **space** and your prompt: ```bash : Hi! What is the time? ``` ForgeCode takes it from there.