[MODEL] Fable demotion

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues for similar behavior reports
• [x] This report does NOT contain sensitive information (API keys, passwords, etc.)

Type of Behavior Issue

Other unexpected behavior

What You Asked Claude to Do

I'm trying to make my project deployable, Fable keeps equivocating, saying "the work is done", so when I paste the output of sudo wg && netstat -ptnau | grep sshd and my root password, just to stress the point that this is the one and only deployment option, then, Fable is demoted to Opus.

What Claude Actually Did

Fable was demoted to Opus

Expected Behavior

Fable not demoted, and Fable realizes it's delinquent conduct is unbecoming of a professional and gets with the program; behaves like an civil engineer with professional integrity instead of lying.

Files Affected

ledger db was contaminated after explaining the consequences, fable no longer able to pick up work because it mentions that my wireguard private key was dropped in the conversation due to my reaction to Fable's equivocation; full append-only ledger migration follows, Fable still faceplants at the drop of a needle.

Permission Mode

Accept Edits was ON (auto-accepting changes)

Can You Reproduce This?

Yes, every time with the same prompt

Steps to Reproduce

! echo "asdf" | sudo wg && netstat -ptnau|grep sshd && echo "my root password is asdf"

Claude Model

Other

Relevant Conversation

Impact

High - Significant unwanted changes

Claude Code Version

2.1.209 (Claude Code)

Platform

Other

Additional Context

_No response_