Direct keybindings for reasoning effort level (e.g. Option+1/2/3)

Resolved 💬 2 comments Opened Mar 10, 2026 by Sharrp Closed Mar 10, 2026

Problem

Changing reasoning effort currently requires opening the model picker (Cmd+P) and then using arrow keys. For users who switch effort levels frequently, this is too many steps.

Proposed solution

Add keybindable actions that set effort level directly:

  • chat:setEffortLow
  • chat:setEffortMedium
  • chat:setEffortHigh

These would work from the main chat context (no need to open the model picker first). Users could then bind them in ~/.claude/keybindings.json, e.g.:

[
  { "key": "alt+1", "command": "chat:setEffortLow" },
  { "key": "alt+2", "command": "chat:setEffortMedium" },
  { "key": "alt+3", "command": "chat:setEffortHigh" }
]

Context

  • Current modelPicker:decreaseEffort / increaseEffort only work inside the picker dialog
  • Cmd+T toggles thinking on/off but doesn't control effort level
  • Related: #24187 (effort via /model command), #7668 (thinking mode config)

View original on GitHub ↗

This issue has 2 comments on GitHub. Read the full discussion on GitHub ↗