---
title: "Choose a model"
description: "Switch the model for a conversation with the model picker, search every connected model, and set the model new conversations use."
works_on: [desktop]
---

# Choose a model

Switch the model a conversation uses, and choose what new conversations
start with.

**Works on:** the desktop app. Web and phone: not available yet.

![The model picker: a search for "v4 pro", two matching models, and beside them Thinking (Not available yet) and Use for new conversations](images/model-picker.png)

## Open the model picker

Press the model chip in the composer (it shows the model's name), or press
⌘' (Ctrl+' on Windows and Linux). In the palette it's **Choose model**, or
type `/model`.

If nothing is connected yet, the chip says **Connect a model** instead. See
[Connect a model](models.md).

## Find a model

Type in **Search models**. Matching letters are highlighted, and each result
shows its provider.

With nothing typed, the list starts with **Current**, the model this
conversation uses. Then come your providers, the one you're using first,
each with its newest models. A provider with more than eight models shows
**Show all {n}**; choose it to see the rest. "No models match" means
nothing fits what you typed.

Esc clears the search; Esc again closes the picker.

## Switch the model for this conversation

In a conversation, choose a model with ↑ and ↓ and press Enter, or click
it. The conversation switches to that model, and the picker closes.

On the launch card, before a conversation starts, choosing a model this way
says "Not available yet". Use **Use for new conversations** instead.

## Set the model for new conversations

Move to a model. Beside the list, press **Use for new conversations**, or
press ⌘D (Ctrl+D). A toast says "New conversations use {name}", and a check
mark shows next to **Use for new conversations** for that model.

The same choice is **Model for new conversations** in **Settings › Models**.

## Thinking

Beside the list, **Thinking** lists the levels the highlighted model offers,
such as Default, Low and High. Choosing a level per conversation says "Not
available yet", and so does the thinking pill next to the model chip and
**Change thinking** (⇧⌘D) in the palette.

To set how much new conversations think, use **Settings › Models ›
Thinking level** ([Settings](settings.md)).

## See what a model can do

Beside the list, under the buttons, the highlighted model shows its
provider and how much it can read at once, for example "DeepSeek · 1M
context", whether it takes images or uses tools, and its price when the
provider publishes one.

## In a group conversation

There's no model chip, and the picker doesn't open.

## On the web

Not available yet.

## On your phone

Not available yet.

## Related

- [Connect a model](models.md)
- [Settings](settings.md)
- [Keyboard shortcuts](shortcuts.md)

Previous: [Connect a model](models.md) · Next: [Codewhale on your phone](phone.md)