fix: save the composer's model pick on the chat so every view names the next run's model

.lane/memory/apps/app/src/composer.tsx/01M4ZSEZBJJ3AMEBTR7SH36FW4-models-are-read-only-while-t.md

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ anchor: function Composer
 created: 2026-10-15T12:44:15Z
 norm: '1'
 sig: 6e0e6c5c8afbd01a
-body_hash: 7a4597684360db67
-raw_hash: 52e4e5fdab485c4d
-vouched: 2026-10-22T17:52:41Z
+body_hash: 69f69de77ff20470
+raw_hash: 555034163125d546
+vouched: 2026-10-22T20:30:45Z
 lines: 101-290
 ---
 

.lane/memory/apps/app/src/composer.tsx/01M4ZYQVGB6C87WBEV12WPQ8PF-a-withdrawn-message-returns.md

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ anchor: function Composer
 created: 2026-10-15T14:16:28Z
 norm: '1'
 sig: 6e0e6c5c8afbd01a
-body_hash: 7a4597684360db67
-raw_hash: 52e4e5fdab485c4d
-vouched: 2026-10-22T17:52:41Z
+body_hash: 69f69de77ff20470
+raw_hash: 555034163125d546
+vouched: 2026-10-22T20:30:45Z
 lines: 104-326
 ---
 

.lane/memory/apps/app/src/composer.tsx/01M5JMY120BQ7Q19708TEHREZF-the-chat-holds-the-model-and.md

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+---
+id: 01M5JMY120BQ7Q19708TEHREZF
+anchor: function Composer
+created: 2026-10-22T20:30:39Z
+norm: '1'
+sig: 6e0e6c5c8afbd01a
+body_hash: 69f69de77ff20470
+raw_hash: 555034163125d546
+lines: 97-433
+---
+
+the chat holds the model and effort pick (select op); the composer must not keep its own browser copy, or details and the CLI disagree with it

.lane/memory/apps/app/src/transcript.ts/01M4YQRMMB6JT09W33MJMPKSMF-a-re-watch-keeps-showing-the.md

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ anchor: function useTranscript
 created: 2026-10-15T02:55:20Z
 norm: '1'
 sig: 3961cde46070e655
-body_hash: 6eead60056a515f0
-raw_hash: e83ea96acc31564a
-vouched: 2026-10-22T15:28:03Z
+body_hash: 715b52c056e02eac
+raw_hash: 0c5f8df4fea08fca
+vouched: 2026-10-22T20:30:45Z
 lines: 174-275
 ---
 

.lane/memory/apps/app/src/transcript.ts/01M4YYQEXJX6JQ04TBRZ4DW1X8-a-watch-rejected-with-discon.md

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ anchor: function useTranscript
 created: 2026-10-15T04:57:01Z
 norm: '1'
 sig: 3961cde46070e655
-body_hash: 6eead60056a515f0
-raw_hash: e83ea96acc31564a
-vouched: 2026-10-22T15:28:03Z
+body_hash: 715b52c056e02eac
+raw_hash: 0c5f8df4fea08fca
+vouched: 2026-10-22T20:30:45Z
 lines: 197-314
 ---
 

.lane/memory/apps/host/src/cli.ts/01M4YY5SXJFQK8VXT78X1E0KAE-every-command-but-serve-must.md

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ anchor: function main
 created: 2026-10-15T04:47:23Z
 norm: '1'
 sig: 7d5d3f63a3bddde4
-body_hash: 7770844bad8c4705
-raw_hash: 5a2b69597fdf7f65
-vouched: 2026-10-22T15:24:37Z
+body_hash: eb91c91d476265b2
+raw_hash: ec1c6c19cf199017
+vouched: 2026-10-22T20:30:45Z
 lines: 253-482
 ---
 

.lane/memory/apps/host/src/cli.ts/01M5J0BZWP8SCBK522YT2HMZDZ-ace-info-prints-agent-access.md

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ anchor: function main
 created: 2026-10-22T14:31:16Z
 norm: '1'
 sig: 7d5d3f63a3bddde4
-body_hash: 7770844bad8c4705
-raw_hash: 5a2b69597fdf7f65
-vouched: 2026-10-22T15:24:37Z
+body_hash: eb91c91d476265b2
+raw_hash: ec1c6c19cf199017
+vouched: 2026-10-22T20:30:45Z
 lines: 332-614
 ---
 

.lane/memory/apps/host/src/worker.ts/01M4YQXGS3RQSHX8N6GH99R7D4-the-directory-s-self-name-st.md

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ anchor: '@file'
 created: 2026-10-15T02:58:00Z
 norm: '1'
 sig: 1a43097a4e1ad24c
-body_hash: 3d68c7dfc3bf4c24
-raw_hash: eac2665348c286fe
-vouched: 2026-10-22T14:47:34Z
+body_hash: 5e79b1f5e63ad3c5
+raw_hash: 1f3f06a6f1a6594b
+vouched: 2026-10-22T20:30:45Z
 lines: 1-194
 ---
 

.lane/memory/packages/channel/src/channel.ts/01M4XQKND0900E94CG3BXBEJP7-a-run-s-end-is-read-from-the.md

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ anchor: class Channel
 created: 2026-10-14T17:33:22Z
 norm: '1'
 sig: c905677fa4be33c1
-body_hash: 97ca0ac50b13c167
-raw_hash: 4b1f599e8b95d697
-vouched: 2026-10-22T15:29:33Z
+body_hash: 4bdc53b3fed0ba8d
+raw_hash: 7726f4f136727a5a
+vouched: 2026-10-22T20:30:45Z
 lines: 114-792
 ---
 

.lane/memory/packages/channel/src/channel.ts/01M4YFFTK7TWGKENJAD1W10HJJ-the-desktop-default-changes.md

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ anchor: class Channel
 created: 2026-10-15T00:30:42Z
 norm: '1'
 sig: c905677fa4be33c1
-body_hash: 97ca0ac50b13c167
-raw_hash: 4b1f599e8b95d697
-vouched: 2026-10-22T15:29:33Z
+body_hash: 4bdc53b3fed0ba8d
+raw_hash: 7726f4f136727a5a
+vouched: 2026-10-22T20:30:46Z
 lines: 114-792
 ---
 

.lane/memory/packages/channel/src/channel.ts/01M4YPJQB6KKEW1YTRD08YCYJY-only-gateways-admit-clients.md

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ anchor: class Channel
 created: 2026-10-15T02:34:37Z
 norm: '1'
 sig: c905677fa4be33c1
-body_hash: 97ca0ac50b13c167
-raw_hash: 4b1f599e8b95d697
-vouched: 2026-10-22T15:29:33Z
+body_hash: 4bdc53b3fed0ba8d
+raw_hash: 7726f4f136727a5a
+vouched: 2026-10-22T20:30:46Z
 lines: 114-794
 ---
 

.lane/memory/packages/channel/src/channel.ts/01M4ZH31DXZK0Y57C97DP84ZKX-handoffs-learns-queued-hando.md

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ anchor: class Channel
 created: 2026-10-15T10:17:55Z
 norm: '1'
 sig: c905677fa4be33c1
-body_hash: 97ca0ac50b13c167
-raw_hash: 4b1f599e8b95d697
-vouched: 2026-10-22T15:29:33Z
+body_hash: 4bdc53b3fed0ba8d
+raw_hash: 7726f4f136727a5a
+vouched: 2026-10-22T20:30:46Z
 lines: 121-817
 ---
 

.lane/memory/packages/channel/src/channel.ts/01M53CAGW2RVRKCYF5BCJRTZX2-a-fork-s-starting-lane-is-re.md

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ anchor: class Channel
 created: 2026-10-16T22:11:35Z
 norm: '1'
 sig: c905677fa4be33c1
-body_hash: 97ca0ac50b13c167
-raw_hash: 4b1f599e8b95d697
-vouched: 2026-10-22T15:29:33Z
+body_hash: 4bdc53b3fed0ba8d
+raw_hash: 7726f4f136727a5a
+vouched: 2026-10-22T20:30:46Z
 lines: 127-873
 ---
 

apps/app/src/channel.tsx

@@ -115,7 +115,9 @@ function where(channel: Listing): DetailsFact[] {
 
 function facts(channel: Listing, info?: ChannelInfo): DetailsFact[] {
 	const root = info?.chats.find((value) => value.id === chat);
-	const model = root?.model || channel.model;
+	const chosen = root?.model || channel.model;
+	// A chat without a model runs what Automatic picks, which a default model change moves.
+	const model = chosen || info?.automatic;
 	// "off" also stands for an always-thinking provider's default, so it isn't shown as a level.
 	const effort = root?.model && root.effort !== "off" ? root.effort : undefined;
 	const usage = info?.chats.reduce(
@@ -136,7 +138,11 @@ function facts(channel: Listing, info?: ChannelInfo): DetailsFact[] {
 		...(model
 			? [{
 				label: "Model",
-				value: effort ? `${model.modelId} · ${EFFORTS[effort]}` : model.modelId,
+				value: effort
+					? `${model.modelId} · ${EFFORTS[effort]}`
+					: chosen
+					? model.modelId
+					: `${model.modelId} (Automatic)`,
 				title: `${model.provider}/${model.modelId}${effort ? `, ${EFFORTS[effort]} effort` : ""}`,
 			}]
 			: []),

apps/app/src/composer.tsx

@@ -47,7 +47,6 @@ export const EFFORTS: Record<Effort, string> = {
 };
 const ACE = /(^|\s)@ace\b/i;
 const LEADING = /^\s*@ace\b/i;
-const UNPICKED: { model?: string; effort?: Effort } = {};
 
 const key = (model: ModelRef) => `${model.provider}/${model.modelId}`;
 // Errors a provider gives for the model or its key, which another try with them would repeat.
@@ -61,6 +60,8 @@ type Props = {
 	user: string;
 	current?: ModelRef;
 	currentEffort?: Effort;
+	/** What the channel picks for a chat on Automatic. */
+	automatic?: ModelRef;
 	busy: boolean;
 	/** What a pending send waits on, as its submit control's label. */
 	waiting: string;
@@ -100,6 +101,7 @@ export function Composer(
 		user,
 		current,
 		currentEffort,
+		automatic,
 		busy,
 		waiting,
 		shared,
@@ -118,7 +120,7 @@ export function Composer(
 	const typed = useRef(0);
 	const [pending, setPending] = useState(false);
 	const [attached, setAttached] = useState<Attachment[]>([]);
-	// Kept beside the channel's draft so a deliberate mode and an unsent model pick survive relaunch.
+	// Kept beside the channel's draft so a deliberate mode survives relaunch.
 	const scope = `/channels/${channel.id}`;
 	const [stored, changeMode] = useLocalStorage(`ace:mode:${scope}`, "ace");
 	// The channel refuses a blocked teammate's ask, stop, and kill too.
@@ -204,14 +206,14 @@ export function Composer(
 			active = false;
 		};
 	}, [channel.id, mode, status, settingsVersion, offline, ready]);
-	const [{ model: picked, effort: pickedEffort }, changePick] = useLocalStorage(
-		`ace:pick:${scope}/${id}`,
-		UNPICKED,
-	);
-	const model = picked || (current ? key(current) : "auto");
+	// The chat holds the pick, so details, the CLI and other clients name what its next run uses.
+	// A pick shows until the chat's info reports a change, which follows the pick's own answer.
+	const chosen = `${current ? key(current) : "auto"} ${currentEffort || "off"}`;
+	const [picking, setPicking] = useState<{ model: string; effort?: Effort; from: string }>();
+	if (picking && picking.from !== chosen) setPicking(undefined);
+	const model = picking?.model || (current ? key(current) : "auto");
 	const levels = models?.find((value) => key(value) === model)?.efforts;
-	const requestedEffort = pickedEffort
-		|| (current && key(current) === model ? currentEffort : undefined) || "off";
+	const requestedEffort = picking?.effort || currentEffort || "off";
 	const effort = requestedEffort === "off" || levels?.includes(requestedEffort)
 		? requestedEffort
 		: "off";
@@ -230,7 +232,11 @@ export function Composer(
 		choices.unshift({ id: model, name: model.split("/").slice(1).join("/"), vendor: "" });
 	}
 	// Automatic stays offered so a chat whose model lost its key can hand the choice back.
-	choices.unshift({ id: "auto", name: "Automatic", vendor: "" });
+	choices.unshift({
+		id: "auto",
+		name: automatic ? `Automatic (${automatic.modelId})` : "Automatic",
+		vendor: "",
+	});
 	// Formatting tools crowd a phone's composer; they stay one tap away.
 	const phone = useMedia("(width < 40rem)");
 
@@ -246,6 +252,33 @@ export function Composer(
 		setAttached(kept);
 	}
 
+	async function pick(next: string, nextEffort?: Effort) {
+		const from = chosen;
+		setPicking({ model: next, effort: nextEffort, from });
+		const [provider, ...rest] = next.split("/");
+		try {
+			const result = await host.channel<{ model: ModelRef; effort: Effort }>(channel.id, {
+				op: "select",
+				chat: id,
+				author: user,
+				...(next === "auto"
+					? { automatic: true }
+					: { model: { provider: provider!, modelId: rest.join("/") } }),
+				...(nextEffort ? { effort: nextEffort } : {}),
+			});
+			setPicking({ model: key(result.model), effort: result.effort, from });
+		} catch (error) {
+			setPicking(undefined);
+			const { message } = error as Error;
+			toast.error("Could not change the model", {
+				description: message,
+				...(onProviders && /provider key/i.test(message)
+					? { action: { label: "Providers", onClick: onProviders } }
+					: {}),
+			});
+		}
+	}
+
 	async function send(text: string, mode: string, attached: Attachment[]) {
 		if (sending.current) return;
 		// Posted, a blocked teammate's "@ace" would read as an ask nobody answers.
@@ -269,18 +302,14 @@ export function Composer(
 		try {
 			const encoded = await attachments(attached);
 			if (invoke) {
-				const [provider, ...rest] = model.split("/");
+				// The chat holds the pick; asking without a model lets the channel replace one whose
+				// provider lost its key.
 				await host.channel(channel.id, {
 					op: "ask",
-					...(levels ? { effort } : {}),
 					chat: id,
 					author: user,
 					text: body,
 					...encoded,
-					// An unpicked model lets the channel replace a chat model whose provider lost its key.
-					...(picked && picked !== "auto"
-						? { model: { provider: provider!, modelId: rest.join("/") } }
-						: {}),
 				});
 			} else {
 				await host.channel(channel.id, {
@@ -315,23 +344,14 @@ export function Composer(
 		sending.current = true;
 		setPending(true);
 		try {
-			const [provider, ...rest] = model.split("/");
 			await host.channel(channel.id, {
 				op: "ask",
 				chat: id,
 				author: user,
 				text: RETRY,
-				...(reset
-					? { automatic: true }
-					: {
-						...(levels ? { effort } : {}),
-						...(picked && picked !== "auto"
-							? { model: { provider: provider!, modelId: rest.join("/") } }
-							: {}),
-					}),
+				...(reset ? { automatic: true } : {}),
 			});
 			if (reset) {
-				changePick(UNPICKED);
 				toast("Switched this chat to Automatic", {
 					description: `${model} failed, so Retry let Ace choose the model.`,
 				});
@@ -358,10 +378,10 @@ export function Composer(
 				mentions={mentions}
 				models={choices}
 				model={model}
-				onModelChange={(value) => changePick({ model: value })}
+				onModelChange={(value) => void pick(value)}
 				efforts={efforts}
 				effort={effort}
-				onEffortChange={(value) => changePick({ model: picked, effort: value as Effort })}
+				onEffortChange={(value) => void pick(model, value as Effort)}
 				attachments={attached}
 				onAttachmentsChange={attach}
 				busy={busy}

apps/app/src/conversation.tsx

@@ -320,6 +320,7 @@ export function Conversation(
 						user={user}
 						current={model}
 						currentEffort={chat?.effort}
+						automatic={transcript.info?.automatic}
 						busy={transcript.busy}
 						waiting={waiting}
 						shared={transcript.shared}