Model switcher dropdown in chat UI (like Continue.dev)
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
Switching models in Claude Code requires manually editing ANTHROPIC_MODEL in ~/.claude/settings.json and restarting the session. There is no way to switch
models mid-conversation from the UI. This breaks flow, especially when using a
proxy (e.g. LiteLLM) with multiple model aliases configured.
Proposed Solution
Add an inline model picker dropdown in the chat input bar — similar to Continue.dev's
model switcher. The dropdown should list available models (from settings or the proxy)
and allow switching mid-session without restarting. The currently active model should
be clearly displayed (as it already is in the status bar).
Alternative Solutions
Currently editing ~/.claude/settings.json manually and restarting.
The /config command partially helps but still requires a restart.
Priority
Low - Nice to have
Feature Category
Interactive mode (TUI)
Use Case Example
- Start a session with Claude Opus 4.7 for a complex refactoring task
- Switch to a faster/cheaper model (e.g. Haiku) for simple Q&A mid-session
- Switch back to Opus for the next implementation step
— All without leaving the chat or editing files
Additional Context
_No response_
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