[BUG] VSCode extension model picker only offers 1M context variants — no way to select standard 200k

Resolved 💬 2 comments Opened Mar 26, 2026 by digitalvir Closed Apr 25, 2026

Description

The VSCode extension's model picker (accessed via the "/" menu or model selector) only shows 1M context variants (e.g., opus[1m]). There is no option to select the standard 200k context window models.

This means users are silently pushed to the more expensive 1M context models with no indication that a cheaper option exists.

Why this matters

  1. Cost — 1M context costs significantly more per token than 200k
  2. Discoverability — the model picker is the primary UI for switching models, and it doesn't surface the 200k option at all. Users have no way to know it exists from the picker alone.

Steps to reproduce

  1. Open Claude Code in VSCode
  2. Click the model selector or use "/" to access the model picker
  3. Observe that only 1M context variants are listed
  4. No 200k context option is available

Expected behavior

The model picker should list both context window sizes (200k and 1M) as separate, clearly labeled options so users can make an informed choice.

Workaround

The 200k model can be selected via the VSCode settings UI (claudeCode.selectedModelopus) or the env var CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_1M_CONTEXT=1, but neither is discoverable through the model picker itself.

Related issues

  • #34279 — Requested restoring 200k option (closed by filer)
  • #30033 — Silent 1M default without UI indication (open, but CLI-focused)

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