---
parent: Example chat transcripts
nav_order: 3
---

# A complex multi-file change, with debugging

This is a chat transcript of a fairly complex code change. The user is trying to update tests to use an input mock provided by `prompt_toolkit`. This requires changes to multiple source files.

Some things to notice:
  - The initial changes don't work, so the user provides error messages and snippets from the `prompt_toolkit` docs to collaboratively debug and solve the problem.
  - The user edits a file outside the chat using their editor. `aider` notices these out-of-band changes and offers to commit them.
  - At one point the user hits `^C` to interrupt the LLM response, since it's not a useful response. The user gives clarifications and gets a better result on the next reply.

<div class="chat-transcript" markdown="1">

> $ aider tests/test_main.py aider/getinput.py  
> Added tests/test_main.py to the chat  
> Added aider/getinput.py to the chat  

#### instead of using /dev/null to send no input in the main tests, can we use the prompt_toolkit input mocking functions?  

Yes, we can use the `prompt_toolkit.input` module to mock the input in the tests. Here's how to modify the `tests/test_main.py` file:

```python
tests/test_main.py
<<<<<<< ORIGINAL
import os
import sys
import tempfile
from unittest import TestCase
from aider.main import main
import subprocess
=======
import os
import tempfile
from unittest import TestCase
from aider.main import main
import subprocess
from prompt_toolkit.input import create_pipe_input
from prompt_toolkit.output import DummyOutput
>>>>>>> UPDATED
```

Now, update the tests to use the `create_pipe_input` and `DummyOutput`:

```python
tests/test_main.py
<<<<<<< ORIGINAL
            with open(os.devnull, "r") as dev_null:
                save_stdin = sys.stdin
                sys.stdin = dev_null
                main([])
                sys.stdin = save_stdin
=======
            pipe_input = create_pipe_input()
            save_stdin = sys.stdin
            sys.stdin = pipe_input
            main([], input=pipe_input, output=DummyOutput())
            sys.stdin = save_stdin
            pipe_input.close()
>>>>>>> UPDATED
```

```python
tests/test_main.py
<<<<<<< ORIGINAL
            with open(os.devnull, "r") as dev_null:
                save_stdin = sys.stdin
                sys.stdin = dev_null
                main(["foo.txt"])
                sys.stdin = save_stdin
                self.assertTrue(os.path.exists("foo.txt"))
=======
            pipe_input = create_pipe_input()
            save_stdin = sys.stdin
            sys.stdin = pipe_input
            main(["foo.txt"], input=pipe_input, output=DummyOutput())
            sys.stdin = save_stdin
            pipe_input.close()
            self.assertTrue(os.path.exists("foo.txt"))
>>>>>>> UPDATED
```

```python
tests/test_main.py
<<<<<<< ORIGINAL
            with open(os.devnull, "r") as dev_null:
                save_stdin = sys.stdin
                sys.stdin = dev_null
                main(["--yes", "foo.txt"])
                sys.stdin = save_stdin
                self.assertTrue(os.path.exists("foo.txt"))
=======
            pipe_input = create_pipe_input()
            save_stdin = sys.stdin
            sys.stdin = pipe_input
            main(["--yes", "foo.txt"], input=pipe_input, output=DummyOutput())
            sys.stdin = save_stdin
            pipe_input.close()
            self.assertTrue(os.path.exists("foo.txt"))
>>>>>>> UPDATED
```

These changes will replace the usage of `/dev/null` with `prompt_toolkit`'s input mocking functions.

> Applied edit to tests/test_main.py  
> Applied edit to tests/test_main.py  
> Applied edit to tests/test_main.py  
> Applied edit to tests/test_main.py  
> Commit c177e29 aider: Replaced usage of /dev/null with prompt_toolkit's input mocking functions in tests.  


> Git repo has uncommitted changes.  
> Suggested commit message:  
> Added import statement for sys module in test_main.py.  
> Commit before the chat proceeds [y/n/commit message]? y  
> Commit 6724fcd Added import statement for sys module in test_main.py.  


</div>
<div class="chat-transcript" markdown="1">
#### /add aider/main.py  

> Added aider/main.py to the chat  


#### I am getting this error: FAILED tests/test_main.py::TestMain::test_main_with_empty_git_dir_new_file - TypeError: main() got an unexpected keyword argument 'input'  

I apologize for the confusion. It seems I made a mistake in the `main()` function definition in `aider/main.py`. The `main()` function should accept `input` and `output` keyword arguments. Here's the fix:

```python
aider/main.py
<<<<<<< ORIGINAL
def main(args=None):
    if args is None:
        args = sys.argv[1:]
=======
def main(args=None, input=None, output=None):
    if args is None:
        args = sys.argv[1:]
    if input is None:
        input = sys.stdin
    if output is None:
        output = sys.stdout
>>>>>>> UPDATED
```

Now, the `main()` function will accept the `input` and `output` keyword arguments, and the tests should pass.

> Applied edit to aider/main.py  
> Commit 79dfba9 aider: Fixed main() function to accept input and output keyword arguments.  

</div>
<div class="chat-transcript" markdown="1">
#### we need to pass those into InputOutput and to prompt_toolkit right?  

Yes, you're right. We need to pass the `input` and `output` arguments to the `InputOutput` class and then to the `prompt_toolkit.prompt()` function. Here's how to modify the `aider/getinput.py` and `aider/main.py` files:

In `aider/getinput.py`, update the `InputOutput` class to accept `input` and `output` arguments:

```python
aider/getinput.py
<<<<<<< ORIGINAL
class InputOutput:
    def __init__(self, pretty, yes, input_history_file, chat_history_file):
=======
class InputOutput:
    def __init__(self, pretty, yes, input_history_file, chat_history_file, input=None, output=None):
        self.input = input
        self.output = output
>>>>>>> UPDATED
```

Now, update the `prompt()` function calls in the `get_input()` method to use the `input` and `output` arguments:

```python
aider/getinput.py
<<<<<<< ORIGINAL
            line = prompt(
                show,
                completer=completer_instance,
                history=FileHistory(self.input_history_file),
                style=style,
                reserve_space_for_menu=4,
                complete_style=CompleteStyle.MULTI_COLUMN,
            )
=======
            line = prompt(
                show,
                completer=completer_instance,
                history=FileHistory(self.input_history_file),
                style=style,
                reserve_space_for_menu=4,
                complete_style=CompleteStyle.MULTI_COLUMN,
                input=self.input,
                output=self.output,
            )
>>>>>>> UPDATED
```

In `aider/main.py`, pass the `input` and `output` arguments to the `InputOutput` class:

```python
aider/main.py
<<<<<<< ORIGINAL
    io = InputOutput(args.pretty, args.yes, args.input_history_file, args.chat_history_file)
=======
    io = InputOutput(args.pretty, args.yes, args.input_history_file, args.chat_history_file, input=input, output=output)
>>>>>>> UPDATED
```

These changes will ensure that the `input` and `output` arguments are passed to the `InputOutput` class and then to the `prompt_toolkit.prompt()` function.

> Applied edit to aider/getinput.py  
> Applied edit to aider/getinput.py  
> Applied edit to aider/main.py  
> Commit cea9d2a aider: Updated InputOutput class to accept input and output arguments and passed them to prompt_toolkit.prompt() function.  

</div>
<div class="chat-transcript" markdown="1">
#### FAILED tests/test_main.py::TestMain::test_main_with_empty_git_dir_new_file - TypeError: prompt() got an unexpected keyword argument 'input'  

I apologize for the confusion. It seems I made a mistake in the `prompt_toolkit.prompt()` function call. The `prompt()` function accepts `stdin` and `stdout` arguments instead of `input` and `output`. Here's the fix:

Update the `prompt()` function call in the `get_input()` method in `aider/getinput.py`:

```python
aider/getinput.py
<<<<<<< ORIGINAL
            input=self.input,
            output=self.output,
=======
            stdin=self.input,
            stdout=self.output,
>>>>>>> UPDATED
```

These changes will ensure that the `input` and `output` arguments are passed correctly to the `prompt_toolkit.prompt()` function.

> Applied edit to aider/getinput.py  
> Commit 55d3540 aider: Fixed `prompt()` function call in `get_input()` method to pass `stdin` and `stdout` arguments instead of `input` and `output`.  

</div>
<div class="chat-transcript" markdown="1">
#### prompt_toolkit.shortcuts.prompt(message: AnyFormattedText | None = None, *, history: History | None = None, editing_mode: EditingMode | None = None, refresh_interval: float | None = None, vi_mode: bool | None = None, lexer: Lexer | None = None, completer: Completer | None = None, complete_in_thread: bool | None = None, is_password: bool | None = None, key_bindings: KeyBindingsBase | None = None, bottom_toolbar: AnyFormattedText | None = None, style: BaseStyle | None = None, color_depth: ColorDepth | None = None, cursor: AnyCursorShapeConfig = None, include_default_pygments_style: FilterOrBool | None = None, style_transformation: StyleTransformation | None = None, swap_light_and_dark_colors: FilterOrBool | None = None, rprompt: AnyFormattedText | None = None, multiline: FilterOrBool | None = None, prompt_continuation: PromptContinuationText | None = None, wrap_lines: FilterOrBool | None = None, enable_history_search: FilterOrBool | None = None, search_ignore_case: FilterOrBool | None = None, complete_while_typing: FilterOrBool | None = None, validate_while_typing: FilterOrBool | None = None, complete_style: CompleteStyle | None = None, auto_suggest: AutoSuggest | None = None, validator: Validator | None = None, clipboard: Clipboard | None = None, mouse_support: FilterOrBool | None = None, input_processors: list[Processor] | None = None, placeholder: AnyFormattedText | None = None, reserve_space_for_menu: int | None = None, enable_system_prompt: FilterOrBool | None = None, enable_suspend: FilterOrBool | None = None, enable_open_in_editor: FilterOrBool | None = None, tempfile_suffix: str | Callable[[], str] | None = None, tempfile: str | Callable[[], str] | None = None, default: str = '', accept_default: bool = False, pre_run: Callable[[], None] | None = None) → str  

I apologize for the confusion earlier. It seems that the `prompt_toolkit.prompt()` function does not accept `stdin` and `stdout` arguments directly. Instead, we need to use the `Application` class from `prompt_toolkit` to create a custom application with the desired input and output. Here's how to modify the `aider/getinput.py` file:

First, import the necessary classes and functions from `prompt_tool

> ^C KeyboardInterrupt  

</div>
<div class="chat-transcript" markdown="1">
#### class prompt_toolkit.shortcuts.PromptSession(message: AnyFormattedText = '', *, multiline: FilterOrBool = False, wrap_lines: FilterOrBool = True, is_password: FilterOrBool = False, vi_mode: bool = False, editing_mode: EditingMode = <EditingMode.EMACS: 'EMACS'>, complete_while_typing: FilterOrBool = True, validate_while_typing: FilterOrBool = True, enable_history_search: FilterOrBool = False, search_ignore_case: FilterOrBool = False, lexer: Lexer | None = None, enable_system_prompt: FilterOrBool = False, enable_suspend: FilterOrBool = False, enable_open_in_editor: FilterOrBool = False, validator: Validator | None = None, completer: Completer | None = None, complete_in_thread: bool = False, reserve_space_for_menu: int = 8, complete_style: CompleteStyle = <CompleteStyle.COLUMN: 'COLUMN'>, auto_suggest: AutoSuggest | None = None, style: BaseStyle | None = None, style_transformation: StyleTransformation | None = None, swap_light_and_dark_colors: FilterOrBool = False, color_depth: ColorDepth | None = None, cursor: AnyCursorShapeConfig = None, include_default_pygments_style: FilterOrBool = True, history: History | None = None, clipboard: Clipboard | None = None, prompt_continuation: PromptContinuationText | None = None, rprompt: AnyFormattedText = None, bottom_toolbar: AnyFormattedText = None, mouse_support: FilterOrBool = False, input_processors: list[Processor] | None = None, placeholder: AnyFormattedText | None = None, key_bindings: KeyBindingsBase | None = None, erase_when_done: bool = False, tempfile_suffix: str | Callable[[], str] | None = '.txt', tempfile: str | Callable[[], str] | None = None, refresh_interval: float = 0, input: Input | None = None, output: Output | None = None)  

Thank you for providing the `PromptSession` class information. We can use the `PromptSession` class to create a custom session with the desired input and output. Here's how to modify the `aider/getinput.py` file:

First, import the `PromptSession` class from `prompt_toolkit.shortcuts`:

```python
aider/getinput.py
<<<<<<< ORIGINAL
from prompt_toolkit import prompt
=======
from prompt_toolkit.shortcuts import PromptSession
>>>>>>> UPDATED
```

Now, update the `get_input()` method to use the `PromptSession` class:

```python
aider/getinput.py
<<<<<<< ORIGINAL
            line = prompt(
                show,
                completer=completer_instance,
                history=FileHistory(self.input_history_file),
                style=style,
                reserve_space_for_menu=4,
                complete_style=CompleteStyle.MULTI_COLUMN,
                input=self.input,
                output=self.output,
            )
=======
            session = PromptSession(
                message=show,
                completer=completer_instance,
                history=FileHistory(self.input_history_file),
                style=style,
                reserve_space_for_menu=4,
                complete_style=CompleteStyle.MULTI_COLUMN,
                input=self.input,
                output=self.output,
            )
            line = session.prompt()
>>>>>>> UPDATED
```

These changes will ensure that the `input` and `output` arguments are passed correctly to the `prompt_toolkit`'s `PromptSession` class.

> Applied edit to aider/getinput.py  
> Applied edit to aider/getinput.py  
> Commit ac92cca aider: Replaced `prompt()` with `PromptSession()` to correctly pass input and output arguments.  

</div>
<div class="chat-transcript" markdown="1">
#### try using create_input(StringIO('')) in the tests  


I understand that you want to use `create_input(StringIO(''))` in the tests. However, I need more information about which test cases you want to apply this change to and how you want to use it. Please provide more details or examples.


#### the ones that currently use create_pipe_input()  

I see that you want to replace `create_pipe_input()` with `create_input(StringIO(''))` in the test cases. Here are the changes for the `tests/test_main.py` file:

```python
tests/test_main.py
<<<<<<< ORIGINAL
from prompt_toolkit.input import create_pipe_input
=======
from prompt_toolkit.input import create_input
from io import StringIO
>>>>>>> UPDATED
```

```python
tests/test_main.py
<<<<<<< ORIGINAL
            pipe_input = create_pipe_input()
=======
            pipe_input = create_input(StringIO(''))
>>>>>>> UPDATED
```

```python
tests/test_main.py
<<<<<<< ORIGINAL
            pipe_input = create_pipe_input()
=======
            pipe_input = create_input(StringIO(''))
>>>>>>> UPDATED
```

```python
tests/test_main.py
<<<<<<< ORIGINAL
            pipe_input = create_pipe_input()
=======
            pipe_input = create_input(StringIO(''))
>>>>>>> UPDATED
```

These changes will replace the usage of `create_pipe_input()` with `create_input(StringIO(''))` in the test cases.

> Applied edit to tests/test_main.py  
> Applied edit to tests/test_main.py  
> Applied edit to tests/test_main.py  
> Applied edit to tests/test_main.py  
> Commit 4bb043f aider: Replaced the usage of `create_pipe_input()` with `create_input(StringIO(''))` in the test cases.  

</div>
<div class="chat-transcript" markdown="1">
#### nice, that worked!  

I'm glad the changes worked for you! If you have any more requests or need further assistance, feel free to ask.


</div>
