github / github/copilot-cli

effortLevel config is not respected when switching models via /model command

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#2,823 1 comment 0 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub
area:configuration area:models
Dominant language
Shell
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Description

### Describe the feature or problem you'd like to solve

_No response_

### Proposed solution

The effortLevel setting in ~/.copilot/config.json is correctly applied when a new session starts. However, when switching models mid-session using the /model command, the effort level resets to "medium" by
default instead of inheriting the value from the config.

Expected behavior: When switching models via /model, the effort level should default to the value set in config.json (effortLevel), so users don't have to manually re-select it every time.

Suggested improvement: Either:

1. Pre-select the configured effortLevel in the /model effort picker UI, or
2. Support per-model default effort levels in config.json (e.g., "models": { "claude-sonnet-4.6": { "effortLevel": "high" } })

Steps to reproduce:

1. Set "effortLevel": "high" in ~/.copilot/config.json
2. Start a new session — effort level is correctly "high" ✅
3. Use /model to switch to another model — effort level resets to "medium" ❌
4. Use /model to switch back — still "medium" ❌

### Example prompts or workflows

_No response_

### Additional context

_No response_

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start at the /model command handling and the loading of ~/.copilot/config.json, then reproduce the switch with effortLevel set to high. Trace where the effort picker defaults during a model change; done means switching models preserves the configured effortLevel instead of resetting to medium.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
shell
Domain
cli
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
62/100

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