Learn French: La diversion fonctionne pour peu que tu aies un prétexte. - The diversion works provided that you have a pretext.

While both can translate to "provided that", pour peu que specifically expresses a minimal condition. It literally means "for little that." In this sentence, it implies that you only need a very small thing—just a basic pretext—for the diversion to be successful.

Why is the verb avoir conjugated as aies here?

The conjunction pour peu que always triggers the subjunctive mood because it introduces a hypothetical condition. Therefore, you must use aies, which is the tu form of avoir in the present subjunctive.

I always forget the subjunctive forms of avoir. Is aies following a regular pattern?

No, avoir is highly irregular in the subjunctive. As a quick refresher, the present subjunctive forms are: que j'aie, que tu aies, qu'il/elle ait, que nous ayons, que vous ayez, and qu'ils/elles aient.

Could I say La diversion travaille instead of La diversion fonctionne?

No. In French, travailler is strictly used for people or animals doing labor or studying. When a machine, system, or plan (like a diversion) "works" or operates, you must use fonctionner or the slightly more casual marcher.