/save
Saves the current file selection of the chat session as a command list in a file.
/save <filename> writes the necessary /add and /read-only commands into a file, which can later restore the chat session's current file setup. /load <filename> restores it by running the saved commands in order.
✅ WHEN TO USE IT?
Save a recurring working set of files for a specific feature
/save auth-feature.txt after assembling the relevant auth files with /add
Share the setup with a teammate
/save review-setup.txt and commit the file to the repo, so others can load the same file context with /load review-setup.txt
⛔ WHEN NOT TO?
The entire chat history including answers should be saved
/save only saves the file selection (which /add/--read-only commands are needed), not the conversation content.
Better: Use the chat history file (default .aider.chat.history.md, configurable via --chat-history-file) for the conversation
The file list changes almost every session anyway
The saved snapshot then goes stale quickly and needs constant regenerating.
Better: Just add files directly with /add each session instead of the save/load detour
SOURCES
- Aider Docs — In-chat Commands ↗ aider.chat