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website/docs/troubleshooting/edit-errors.md

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+---
+parent: Troubleshooting
+nav_order: 10
+---
+
+# File editing problems
+
+Sometimes the LLM will reply with some code changes
+that don't get applied to your local files.
+In these cases, aider might say something like "Failed to apply edit to *filename*"
+or other error messages.
+
+This usually happens because the LLM is disobeying the system prompts
+and trying to make edits in a format that aider doesn't expect.
+Aider makes every effort to get the LLM
+to conform, and works hard to deal with
+LLMM edits that are "almost" correctly formatted.
+
+But sometimes the LLM just won't cooperate.
+In these cases, here are some things you might try.
+
+## Use a capable model
+
+If possible try using GPT-4o or Opus, as they are the strongest and most
+capable models.
+
+Weaker models
+are more pront to
+disobeying the system prompt instructions.
+Most local models are just barely capable of working with aider,
+so editing errors should be expected.
+
+## Reduce distractions
+
+Many models now have very large context windows,
+but filling them with irrelevant code often
+cofuses the model.
+
+- Don't add too many files to the chat, *just* add the files you think need to be edited.
+Aider also sends the LLM a [map of your entire git repo](https://aider.chat/docs/repomap.html), so other relevant code will be included automatically.
+- Use `/drop` to remove files from the chat session which aren't needed for the task at hand. This will reduce distractions and may help GPT produce properly formatted edits.
+- Use `/clear` to remove the conversation history, again to help GPT focus.