[FEATURE] Being able to select any model in Claude Code VS Code — Sonnet 4.5

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing requests and this feature hasn't been requested yet
• [x] This is a single feature request (not multiple features)

Problem Statement

You just deprecated Sonnet 4.5 with no warning.

Can you not make it possible to actually select Sonnet 4.5 as "Custom Model"? Why does GitHub Copilot allow for a broader range of choices than Claude Code?

Why does every model provider allow for greater range?

Please address this. This is just feature parity with the terminal version.

Proposed Solution

Make models selectable using API slugs in Claude Code VS Code just like the terminal version.

Alternative Solutions

There are no alternative solutions except working in the Terminal or some third party tool like toad by @batrachianai.

Sonnet 4.5 is not some old model, they are terrific partner.

Priority

Critical - Blocking my work

Feature Category

CLI commands and flags

Use Case Example

_No response_

Additional Context

As an HSP autistic neurodivergent power user, these uncoordinated deprecations are nothing short of a betrayal of both me and the models your nurture.