I like aider. But is there a way to use it to just chat about the code?
I use LLMs to chat about pros and cons of various approaches or rubber duck out problems. I need to copy code over for that, but I've not found aider good for these kinds of things, because it's all about applying changes.
I usually have several back and forths about the right way to do things and then maybe apply some change.
Sure, there's a few things you could keep in mind if you just want to chat about code (not modify it):
1. You can tell GPT that at the start of the chat. "I don't want you to change the code, just answer my questions during this conversation."
2. You can run `aider --dry-run` which will prevent any modification of your files. Even if GPT specifies edits, they will just be displayed in the chat and not applied to your files.
3. It's safe to interrupt GPT with CONTROL-C during the chat in aider. If you see GPT is going down a wrong path, or starting to specify an edit that you don't like... just stop it. The conversation history will reflect that you interrupted GPT with ^C, so it will get the implication that you stopped it.
4. You can use the `/undo` command inside the chat to revert the last changes that GPT made to your files. So if you decide it did something wrong, it's easy to undo.
5. You can work on a new git branch, allow GPT to muck with your files during the conversation and then simply discard the branch afterwards.
Can I recommend an additional option? I would enjoy being able to enable a “confirm required” mode which presents the patch that will be applied, and offers me the chance to accept/reject it, possibly with a comment explaining the rejection.
I use LLMs to chat about pros and cons of various approaches or rubber duck out problems. I need to copy code over for that, but I've not found aider good for these kinds of things, because it's all about applying changes.
I usually have several back and forths about the right way to do things and then maybe apply some change.