Aider does know the whole repository tree (it scans the git index). It just doesn't read the files until you tell it to. If it thinks it needs access to a file,

Aider does know the whole repository tree (it scans the git index). It just doesn't read the files until you tell it to. If it thinks it needs access to a file, it will prompt you to add it. I find this to be a fairly good model. Obviously it doesn't work off line though.