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

# Connect Aider

> Route Aider's OpenAI-compatible API traffic through CMX and restore its original base URL.

# Connect Aider

CMX's Aider integration changes the OpenAI-compatible API base in Aider's configuration. Install Aider and provide its model provider credential through Aider's normal environment first. `cmx providers aider list` reports readiness when it sees `OPENAI_API_KEY` or `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`; the configured OpenAI-compatible route is what CMX changes.

```bash theme={null}
cmx setup --ask-connect-ready
cmx providers aider list
cmx harness enable aider
```

CMX normally uses `~/.aider.conf.yml` and also recognizes `AIDER_CONFIG`. Start a new Aider process, send a request, then check `cmx stats`. Aider models that use a different API base or protocol need separate verification.

## Return to a direct connection

```bash theme={null}
cmx harness disable aider
```

Restart Aider after restoring. If you need to stop the gateway as well, use `cmx stop`; it restores active client routes before stopping.


## Related topics

- [Model providers and routes](/model-providers.md)
- [Frequently asked questions](/faq.md)
- [CLI reference](/cli-reference.md)