MCP Server

Model Context Protocol (MCP) server to execute aider-specific code editing operations

Local serverstdioPython

What is the MCP MCP server?

MCP MCP server exists for a simple reason — assistants are far more useful when they can act on MCP directly instead of describing what you should do. Model Context Protocol (MCP) server to execute aider-specific code editing operations.

What you get

An .aider.mcp.details.json file is created in the same directory with the process ID and starting datetime. The MCP server provides tools for LLM agents to check if the process is still running, and to check the .aider.chat.history.md for updates.

What the assistant can call

Once MCP is connected, these are the calls the assistant has available:

  • aider_check_git_log — Checks recent commits
  • aider_check_git_status — Calls git status --short to check the state of the given directory
  • aider_check_last_prompt — Returns the original prompt message of the last Aider run
  • aider_check_progress — Checks the Aider chat history and background process status
  • aider_checkout_git_branch — Switches git branches, creating a new one if it doesn't exist
  • aider_create_git_stash — Stashes everything to clear the directory for Aider (git stash -u)
  • aider_git_revert — Reverts changes from a git commit by its hash
  • aider_list_files — Lists all files in a given directory
  • aider_list_git_branches — Returns a list of git branches in the given directory
  • aider_mcp_check_whitelist — Checks what glob paths are whitelisted for this Aider MCP server
  • aider_message_prompt — Starts aider as a background process with a given message prompt
  • aider_read_config_yaml — Returns the full content of the .aider.conf.yml in the directory

Setting it up

Setup follows the usual MCP pattern — install or clone the server, register it in your client's configuration file, restart the client. The configuration blocks on this page cover the common clients.

Configuration and credentials

You will need 3 environment variables: AIDER_MODEL, OPENAI_API_BASE, OPENAI_API_KEY. The server will not start without them, which is usually why the tools fail to appear on a first run. Keep credentials in your client's env block or a secrets manager rather than in a file you might commit.

Choosing this one

This sits in the file and storage access group, where several servers overlap in what they claim to do but differ sharply once you actually set them up. MCP's toolset — aider_check_git_log, aider_check_git_status, aider_check_last_prompt and 11 more — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow. It is maintained by RailKill; worth a glance at recent repository activity before you build anything load-bearing on it.

This entry was verified against MCP's own documentation before publication; SyncDev keeps the directory reviewed rather than auto-generated.

Before you rely on it

  • It runs with your machine's permissions. That is convenient and also the reason to think about what you point it at before you approve a tool call.
  • With 14 tools registered it takes up a noticeable share of the context window; turn it off in projects that never touch MCP.
  • Missing credentials fail quietly in some clients — if no tools show up, check the environment block first.
  • MCP clients confirm each tool call by default. Leave that on until you have watched what the mcp mcp server does with a few real requests.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
aider_check_git_logChecks recent commits.
aider_check_git_statusCalls git status --short to check the state of the given directory.
aider_check_last_promptReturns the original prompt message of the last Aider run.
aider_check_progressChecks the Aider chat history and background process status.
aider_checkout_git_branchSwitches git branches, creating a new one if it doesn't exist.
aider_create_git_stashStashes everything to clear the directory for Aider (git stash -u).
aider_git_revertReverts changes from a git commit by its hash.
aider_list_filesLists all files in a given directory.
aider_list_git_branchesReturns a list of git branches in the given directory.
aider_mcp_check_whitelistChecks what glob paths are whitelisted for this Aider MCP server.
aider_message_promptStarts aider as a background process with a given message prompt.
aider_read_config_yamlReturns the full content of the .aider.conf.yml in the directory.
aider_read_file_contentsReads the contents of a given filepath.
aider_setup_config_yamlCreates the .aider.conf.yml file in the directory.

How to install the MCP MCP server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-aider-executor": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-aider-executor",
        "--whitelist",
        "/home/user/my-project/**",
        "--whitelist",
        "/local/my-application/**"
      ],
      "env": {
        "AIDER_MODEL": "openai/gemma-4-E4B-it-IQ4_XS",
        "OPENAI_API_BASE": "http://127.0.0.1:1337/v1",
        "OPENAI_API_KEY": "your-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.

Configuration

VariableDescriptionRequired
AIDER_MODELConfiguration value read at startup.Optional
OPENAI_API_BASEConfiguration value read at startup.Optional
OPENAI_API_KEYCredential the server authenticates with.Yes

Example prompts to try

  • Use MCP to aider check git log.
  • Use MCP to aider check git status.
  • Use MCP to aider check last prompt.

Frequently asked questions

It connects MCP to MCP-compatible AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor, exposing 14 tools (aider_check_git_log, aider_check_git_status, aider_check_last_prompt, and more) that the assistant can call on your behalf. Instead of copying data back and forth by hand, the assistant works with MCP directly.