Migration Guide · 2026-05-28 · 8 min read
The Aider to AZMX Migration Guide
A technical comparison and transition playbook for engineers moving from CLI-based agents to a native, multi-model desktop environment.
If you need a high-speed CLI tool that lives purely in your terminal, stay with Aider. If you want a native desktop application that combines a real PTY terminal, a professional editor with per-hunk diffs, and full Model Context Protocol (MCP) support without sacrificing privacy, migrate to AZMX AI. This guide breaks down the technical differences and provides a step-by-step playbook for moving your workflow.
TL;DR: The Decision Matrix
Choose Aider if you are a terminal purist who wants a lightweight, command-line-only experience. Choose AZMX AI if you want a native desktop app (< 7 MB) that provides visual diffs, approval gates for every shell command, and the ability to switch between local LLMs (Ollama/LM Studio) and any cloud provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, Groq) via BYOK, all while maintaining strict privacy with zero telemetry.
Technical Comparison
| Feature | Aider | AZMX AI |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Subscription or BYOK | Free / Pro ($20) / Teams ($40) |
| Privacy | High (Local CLI) | Highest (No account, no telemetry, deny-list) |
| BYOK Support | Excellent | Comprehensive (Every major provider + local) |
| Offline Mode | Possible via local LLM | Native (Ollama/LM Studio integration) |
| MCP Support | Limited | Full (stdio and HTTP) |
| Approval Gates | Manual/CLI-based | Strict gated shell and edit operations |
| Sub-agents | No | Yes |
| Platform | CLI (Anywhere) | Native Desktop (macOS, Windows, Linux) |
| Interface | Terminal | Native App (Terminal + CodeMirror 6) |
Where Aider is actually better
- Terminal Integration: If your entire workflow is contained within a multiplexer like tmux or Zellij, Aider's CLI-first nature feels more integrated than a separate window.
- Minimalism: Aider has zero UI overhead. It is a single process that performs edits and exits.
- Scriptability: Because it is a CLI tool, it is easier to wrap Aider in shell scripts for automated refactoring tasks.
Where AZMX wins
- Visual Safety: Unlike Aider, which pushes diffs to your files, AZMX uses CodeMirror 6 to show you per-hunk AI diffs. You see exactly what is changing before you hit "Approve."
- Security Defaults: AZMX includes a hardcoded deny-list. It will refuse to read
.env,.ssh, or other sensitive credential files by default. Aider relies on user discipline. - The MCP Ecosystem: AZMX treats the Model Context Protocol as a first-class citizen. You can plug in sub-agents via stdio or HTTP to give your agent access to your specific databases, documentation, or internal APIs.
- Native Performance: While tools like Cursor or Windsurf are built on Electron, AZMX is a ~7 MB native binary using a Rust backend and system webview. It consumes significantly less RAM and provides a more responsive PTY terminal via
portable-pty. - Memory Management: AZMX uses
AZMX.mdfor project-specific memory, ensuring context is preserved across sessions without bloating your prompt window.
How to switch from Aider
Transitioning from a CLI-based workflow to a native agent platform is straightforward. Follow this playbook:
- Audit your API Keys: Gather your existing keys for OpenAI, Anthropic, or Groq. AZMX is BYOK-native, so you won't need to create a new subscription.
- Install AZMX: Download the native binary from azmx.ai/download.
- Map your Config: Aider uses a
.aider.conf.ymlor environment variables. In AZMX, you will input these directly into the provider settings. If you use local models, ensure Ollama or LM Studio is running. - Initialize Project Memory: Instead of relying on Aider's chat history, start creating an
AZMX.mdfile in your root directory. Document your project architecture and coding standards here; the agent will read this as its primary context. - Set up MCP Servers: If you used custom scripts with Aider, convert them to MCP servers. You can then connect them to AZMX via the settings menu to give the agent tool-use capabilities.
Pricing Breakdown
Aider typically operates on a model where you pay for your own tokens, but if you use managed services, costs can scale. AZMX AI offers a clear tier structure:
- Individual (Free): Full access to the native app, BYOK support, and local LLMs. You only pay your model providers (OpenAI/Anthropic) directly.
- Pro ($20/mo): For power users needing advanced features and higher priority for updates.
- Teams ($40/seat/mo): Centralized management for professional engineering teams.
Compared to heavy enterprise tools like GitHub Copilot or Cursor, AZMX allows you to avoid vendor lock-in. You are not paying for a "seat" to use a specific model; you are paying for the orchestration layer.
Conclusion
The move from Aider to AZMX AI is a move from a specialized tool to a comprehensive development environment. If you value the ability to see every change before it happens, want to connect your agent to your infrastructure via MCP, and demand total privacy with no telemetry, AZMX is the logical next step. Download it for free, bring your own keys, and start working without an account.