[BUG] /model command hangs with "Loading models..." indefinitely in VSCode extension

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

Environment:

• Claude Code version: 2.1.76
• Platform: Windows 11 (VSCode extension)
• Plan: Claude Max 5x

Description:
When typing /model in the Claude Code VSCode extension chat input, the picker displays "Loading models..." and hangs indefinitely. It never resolves or shows any available models.

What Should Happen?

Expected behaviour:

A list of available models (Haiku, Sonnet, Opus) should appear, allowing in-session model switching.

Error Messages/Logs

Actual behaviour:

"Loading models..." spins indefinitely. No models are listed. No error is shown.

Steps to Reproduce

Steps to reproduce:

Open Claude Code in VSCode
Type /model in the chat input
Observe "Loading models..." — does not resolve

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.76

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

Additional context:

The issue is plan-restricted (Max 5x should have Opus access) — not a permissions problem
/config was not tested as an alternative model picker
Workaround: launching with claude --model <model> from terminal works correctly
/plugin slash command also returns "not available in this environment" — unclear if related