Aider-AI
YAML file option trying to load non-existant files
Issue
If you use the YAML option for file to automatically load a specific file (CONVENTIONS.md being a typical example) and the file doesn't exist in your repo, it still indicates it as loaded, but the contents are empty (if you were to /ask about it).
I believe the behavior should be that if the file doesn't exist, it just doesn't load that file. Perhaps a warning on aider start (something like WARNING: tried to load ... but was unable to find the file locally).
Version and model info
0.46
Thanks for trying aider and filing this issue.
When you run aider with a file that doesn't exist, it creates it as an empty file. That applies to files specified on the command line or in the yaml file.
I guess I am wondering why you added CONVENTIONS.md to be always loaded if you don't always have one?
ha - good point :) I'm using it in my global config under the presumption that I SHOULD have one, but was perhaps over-indexing on an "edge" case where I've not included one in a specific project I'm working on.
I guess my mindset on that file option was along the lines of "attempt to use the following files".
If you don't think it makes sense to existence check those files on load, I understand where you're coming from. Appreciate the consideration.
I'm going to close this issue for now, but feel free to add a comment here and I will re-open or file a new issue any time.