---
title: "Aider Setup: Bank Data from the Command Line | BankBridge"
description: "Aider has no MCP support, and it doesn't need it here. Install the bankbridge command, then /run it from the chat. Read-only, about two minutes."
url: "https://bankbridge.money/docs/aider"
---
[← All integrations](https://bankbridge.money/docs)

Aider

# Use bank data from the chat.

Aider has no MCP support, so it reaches BankBridge the way it reaches everything else outside your code: by running a shell command and reading the output. The [`bankbridge` command](https://bankbridge.money/cli) is that command.

Read-only. Your agent can see balances and transactions, and nothing can move money, pay a bill, or place a trade. BankBridge doesn’t store your transactions. [How it’s secured](https://bankbridge.money/security) · [Try it with sample data first](https://bankbridge.money/demo)

Step 01

## Install the command.

terminal

```
curl -fsSL https://bankbridge.money/install.sh | sh
```

It adds one binary to `~/.local/bin` and changes nothing in Aider. Check it with fictional data, no account needed:

terminal

```
bankbridge accounts --demo
```

Step 02

## Sign in.

Copy an API key from [your dashboard](https://bankbridge.money/dashboard/settings), then:

terminal

```
bankbridge login
```

Or set `BANKBRIDGE_API_KEY` in your environment.

Step 03

## Run it from Aider.

`/run` (or `!`) runs the command and asks whether to add the output to the chat. Say yes, then ask your question.

inside aider

```
> /run bankbridge recurring --json
Add 1.6k tokens of command output to the chat? (Y)es/(N)o [Yes]: y
> Which of these should I cancel to save $100 a month?
```

Step 04

## Hand it a file for bigger questions.

Export first, then open Aider with the file read-only. `/read-only` does the same mid-chat.

terminal

```
bankbridge transactions --month 2026-10 -o october.csv
aider --read october.csv
```

The file stays on your disk. We keep no copy.

Step 05

## Let the model suggest commands (optional).

Aider’s model can suggest shell commands, and Aider asks before running each one. To tell it about BankBridge, keep a short conventions file and load it with `aider --read CONVENTIONS.md`:

CONVENTIONS.md

```
Bank data: suggest bankbridge commands. Run `bankbridge --help` to see them. Use --json.
Read-only. Positive amounts are money out. If a command prints a warning, a bank may be
missing from the result, so say so.
```

Anything you add to the chat goes to the model provider you configured in Aider, like any other command output.

Problems? Email [hello@greatwork.company](mailto:hello@greatwork.company) with the app you’re setting up and what you see, and we’ll help you finish.