fix(app): group the default model list by provider, name the Dashboard's model, and start new channels on the last pick

.lane/memory/apps/app/src/app.tsx/01M4YT6XB7NQ89E6F4P375REE7-all-projects-and-project-vie.md

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ anchor: function App
 created: 2026-10-15T03:38:04Z
 norm: '1'
 sig: 063d0f00fea02511
-body_hash: 3414bb6abb49dfc4
-raw_hash: c619f3850424f109
-vouched: 2026-10-22T22:19:55Z
+body_hash: 85707ad58ff21113
+raw_hash: 847e872f7c9185bd
+vouched: 2026-10-22T22:40:41Z
 lines: 235-824
 ---
 

.lane/memory/apps/app/src/app.tsx/01M5JMVG9G87F31FGVV571Y6BJ-the-project-list-is-built-on.md

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ anchor: function App
 created: 2026-10-22T20:29:16Z
 norm: '1'
 sig: 063d0f00fea02511
-body_hash: 3414bb6abb49dfc4
-raw_hash: c619f3850424f109
-vouched: 2026-10-22T22:19:55Z
+body_hash: 85707ad58ff21113
+raw_hash: 847e872f7c9185bd
+vouched: 2026-10-22T22:40:41Z
 lines: 330-1237
 ---
 

.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: 69f69de77ff20470
-raw_hash: 555034163125d546
-vouched: 2026-10-22T20:30:45Z
+body_hash: fff8af7bdbd806b6
+raw_hash: 95d50568f62a74cf
+vouched: 2026-10-22T22:40:41Z
 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.lane/memory/apps/app/src/composer.tsx/01M4ZYQVGB6C87WBEV12WPQ8PF-a-withdrawn-message-returns.md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: 69f69de77ff20470
-raw_hash: 555034163125d546
-vouched: 2026-10-22T20:30:45Z
+body_hash: fff8af7bdbd806b6
+raw_hash: 95d50568f62a74cf
+vouched: 2026-10-22T22:40:41Z
 lines: 104-326
 ---
 

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

@@ -4,8 +4,9 @@ anchor: function Composer
 created: 2026-10-22T20:30:39Z
 norm: '1'
 sig: 6e0e6c5c8afbd01a
-body_hash: 69f69de77ff20470
-raw_hash: 555034163125d546
+body_hash: fff8af7bdbd806b6
+raw_hash: 95d50568f62a74cf
+vouched: 2026-10-22T22:40:41Z
 lines: 97-433
 ---
 

.lane/memory/apps/app/src/composer.tsx/01M5JWBZ3CQJG8D8DPWZ0G6W69-the-stored-last-pick-only-se.md

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+---
+id: 01M5JWBZ3CQJG8D8DPWZ0G6W69
+anchor: function lastModel
+created: 2026-10-22T22:40:36Z
+norm: '1'
+sig: dcc0d3280225e195
+body_hash: 3b9c52e539b0ae1a
+raw_hash: 3d00decc42601e06
+lines: 55-64
+---
+
+the stored last pick only seeds new local channels; a chat's composer always shows the chat's own model, never this copy

.lane/memory/apps/app/src/dashboard.tsx/01M5AYX7CX6GW2PYNTV3BS5F91-with-no-usable-model-on-this.md

@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ anchor: function Dashboard
 created: 2026-10-19T20:51:03Z
 norm: '1'
 sig: 4bfb45497157c0e0
-body_hash: e77359bc3330d503
-raw_hash: 7884a688975d2f4c
-vouched: 2026-10-22T22:08:11Z
+body_hash: 175813998987d08e
+raw_hash: 03e954d8ae7aee07
+vouched: 2026-10-22T22:40:41Z
 lines: 256-606
 ---
 

apps/app/src/app.tsx

@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ import { chosen, deployed, gateway, remember } from "./address";
 import { type Attention, glow, useAttention } from "./attention";
 import { ArchiveChannel } from "./archive-channel";
 import { Channel, ChannelDetails, type ChannelDraft } from "./channel";
+import { lastModel } from "./composer";
 import { useCompute } from "./compute";
 import { Dashboard } from "./dashboard";
 import { DeleteChannel } from "./delete-channel";
@@ -750,7 +751,8 @@ export function App() {
 			const value = await host.request<Pick<Listing, "id" | "name" | "project">>({
 				op: "create",
 				project: target.path,
-				...(cloud ? { cloud } : {}),
+				// A cloud channel's models are the compute service's, which this host's pick may lack.
+				...(cloud ? { cloud } : { model: lastModel() }),
 			});
 			if (cloud) {
 				onCreated?.();

apps/app/src/composer.tsx

@@ -49,6 +49,19 @@ const ACE = /(^|\s)@ace\b/i;
 const LEADING = /^\s*@ace\b/i;
 
 const key = (model: ModelRef) => `${model.provider}/${model.modelId}`;
+/** The latest pick in this client, as `provider/id` or `auto`; new channels start on it. */
+export const LAST_MODEL = `ace:last-model:${host.url}`;
+
+export function lastModel(): ModelRef | undefined {
+	try {
+		const value: unknown = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(LAST_MODEL) || "null");
+		if (typeof value !== "string" || value === "auto") return;
+		const [provider, ...rest] = value.split("/");
+		return { provider: provider!, modelId: rest.join("/") };
+	} catch {
+		return;
+	}
+}
 // Errors a provider gives for the model or its key, which another try with them would repeat.
 const MODEL_FAULT =
 	/\b(401|403|404)\b|api key|unauthori[sz]ed|authenticat|permission|does not exist|not found|access to/i;
@@ -123,6 +136,7 @@ export function Composer(
 	// Kept beside the channel's draft so a deliberate mode survives relaunch.
 	const scope = `/channels/${channel.id}`;
 	const [stored, changeMode] = useLocalStorage(`ace:mode:${scope}`, "ace");
+	const [, setLast] = useLocalStorage(LAST_MODEL, "auto");
 	// The channel refuses a blocked teammate's ask, stop, and kill too.
 	const blocked = shared === false && channel.owner !== user;
 	// Agent mode only once a teammate's access is known to be on, as it isn't while their Mac is offline.
@@ -267,6 +281,7 @@ export function Composer(
 				...(nextEffort ? { effort: nextEffort } : {}),
 			});
 			setPicking({ model: key(result.model), effort: result.effort, from });
+			setLast(next);
 		} catch (error) {
 			setPicking(undefined);
 			const { message } = error as Error;

apps/app/src/dashboard.tsx

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import {
 	Tooltip,
 	TooltipContent,
 	TooltipTrigger,
+	useLocalStorage,
 } from "@ace/ui";
 import {
 	IconChevronDown,
@@ -25,11 +26,11 @@ import {
 	IconPlus,
 	IconRotate,
 } from "@ace/ui/icons";
-import type { GithubList, ModelRef } from "@ace/channel/protocol";
-import type { Listing, People, Presence } from "@ace/host/protocol";
+import type { GithubList, ModelOption, ModelRef } from "@ace/channel/protocol";
+import type { Listing, People, Presence, Settings } from "@ace/host/protocol";
 
 import type { Attention } from "./attention";
-import { Notice } from "./composer";
+import { LAST_MODEL, Notice } from "./composer";
 import { desktop, here } from "./desktop";
 import { prompt, StateIcon } from "./github";
 import { useGithub } from "./github-cache";
@@ -353,21 +354,43 @@ export function Dashboard(
 	const owner = (channel?: Listing) =>
 		channel && channel.owner !== user ? people[channel.owner] || channel.owner : undefined;
 	const settingsVersion = useSyncExternalStore(host.subscribe, () => host.settingsVersion);
-	const [models, setModels] = useState<ModelRef[]>();
+	const [models, setModels] = useState<ModelOption[]>();
+	const [automatic, setAutomatic] = useState<ModelRef>();
 	useEffect(() => {
 		if (!local || !connected) return;
 		let active = true;
 		// An unread answer offers no setup; starting then reports whatever failed.
-		host.request<ModelRef[]>({ op: "models" }).then(
+		host.request<ModelOption[]>({ op: "models" }).then(
 			(value) => active && setModels(value),
 			() => active && setModels(undefined),
 		);
+		host.request<Settings>({ op: "settings" }).then(
+			(value) => active && setAutomatic(value.automatic),
+			() => active && setAutomatic(undefined),
+		);
 		return () => {
 			active = false;
 		};
 	}, [local, connected, settingsVersion]);
 	// A cloud channel runs on the service's credentials, not this host's.
 	const unprovided = models?.length === 0 && place === "local";
+	// `create` starts a local channel on this pick, which a pick in any chat's composer also sets.
+	const [model, setModel] = useLocalStorage(LAST_MODEL, "auto");
+	const choices = models?.length && place === "local"
+		? models.map(({ provider, modelId }) => ({
+			id: `${provider}/${modelId}`,
+			name: modelId,
+			vendor: provider,
+		}))
+		: undefined;
+	if (choices && model !== "auto" && !choices.some((value) => value.id === model)) {
+		choices.unshift({ id: model, name: model.split("/").slice(1).join("/"), vendor: "" });
+	}
+	choices?.unshift({
+		id: "auto",
+		name: automatic ? `Automatic (${automatic.modelId})` : "Automatic",
+		vendor: "",
+	});
 	const hour = new Date().getHours();
 	const greeting = hour < 12 ? "Good morning" : hour < 18 ? "Good afternoon" : "Good evening";
 
@@ -456,6 +479,9 @@ export function Dashboard(
 						modes={MODES}
 						mentions={MENTIONS}
 						mode="ace"
+						models={choices}
+						model={model}
+						onModelChange={setModel}
 						agents={cloud ? PLACES : undefined}
 						agent={place}
 						onAgentChange={setPlace}

apps/app/src/settings.tsx

@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ function DefaultModel({ settings, disabled }: { settings?: HostSettings; disable
 	const [action, setAction] = useState<{ busy?: boolean; error?: string }>({});
 	const chosen = settings?.modelOverride || settings?.model;
 	const value = chosen ? `${chosen.provider}/${chosen.modelId}` : "";
-	const available = settings?.models.map((model) => `${model.provider}/${model.modelId}`) || [];
+	const available = new Set(settings?.models.map((model) => `${model.provider}/${model.modelId}`));
 
 	async function save(value: string) {
 		const split = value.indexOf("/");
@@ -269,10 +269,32 @@ function DefaultModel({ settings, disabled }: { settings?: HostSettings; disable
 				onChange={(event) => void save(event.target.value)}
 			>
 				<option value="">{settings ? "Automatic" : "Loading…"}</option>
-				{value && !available.includes(value) && (
+				{value && !available.has(value) && (
 					<option value={value} disabled>{value} (unavailable)</option>
 				)}
-				{available.map((model) => <option key={model} value={model}>{model}</option>)}
+				{settings?.providers.map((provider) => {
+					const models = settings.models.filter((model) => model.provider === provider.id);
+					if (models.length) {
+						return (
+							<optgroup key={provider.id} label={provider.name}>
+								{models.map(({ modelId }) => (
+									<option key={modelId} value={`${provider.id}/${modelId}`}>{modelId}</option>
+								))}
+							</optgroup>
+						);
+					}
+					const missing = provider.source === "missing";
+					return (
+						<optgroup
+							key={provider.id}
+							label={`${provider.name} (${missing ? "no key" : "unavailable"})`}
+						>
+							<option disabled>
+								{missing ? "Add a key" : "Check its key"} in Providers to use {provider.name} models
+							</option>
+						</optgroup>
+					);
+				})}
 			</Select>
 		</Row>
 	);

apps/host/src/manage.ts

@@ -28,10 +28,10 @@ export async function models(): Promise<ModelRef[]> {
 	return available(providers());
 }
 
-export async function defaultModel(): Promise<ModelRef> {
+/** `models` lets Settings resolve it without waiting on a keychain prompt. */
+export async function defaultModel(models = providers()): Promise<ModelRef> {
 	if (config.model) return parseModel(config.model);
 	const saved = preference();
-	const models = providers();
 	// A saved default whose key expired or was removed must not block agents another key can run.
 	if (saved && await usable(models, saved)) return saved;
 	return choose(models);

apps/host/src/protocol.ts

@@ -301,6 +301,8 @@ export type Settings = {
 	model: ModelRef | null;
 	modelOverride?: ModelRef;
 	models: ModelRef[];
+	/** What a new chat on Automatic runs: `modelOverride`, a usable `model`, or Ace's pick. */
+	automatic?: ModelRef;
 	/** Some keychain reads behind `models` are still under way; `models` uses their last finished reads. */
 	waiting?: string;
 	error?: string;

apps/host/src/settings.ts

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import {
 	settled,
 	store,
 } from "./keys";
-import { models, parseModel } from "./manage";
+import { defaultModel, models, parseModel } from "./manage";
 import { canonical } from "./move";
 import {
 	compute,
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ function provider(id: ProviderId) {
 /** Settings never waits on a keychain prompt; `fresh` reads again names whose last read prompted. */
 export async function settings(fresh?: boolean): Promise<Settings> {
 	const catalog = settled(fresh);
-	const [statuses, usable] = await Promise.all([
+	const [statuses, usable, automatic] = await Promise.all([
 		Promise.all(
 			[...providers].map(async ([id, { name, key }]) =>
 				Object.assign(
@@ -59,12 +59,14 @@ export async function settings(fresh?: boolean): Promise<Settings> {
 			),
 		),
 		available(catalog.models).catch((error: Error) => error),
+		defaultModel(catalog.models).catch(() => undefined),
 	]);
 	return {
 		providers: statuses,
 		model: preference(),
 		modelOverride: config.model ? parseModel(config.model) : undefined,
 		models: usable instanceof Error ? [] : usable,
+		...(automatic ? { automatic } : {}),
 		waiting: catalog.waiting() ? KEYCHAIN_WAITING : undefined,
 		error: usable instanceof Error ? usable.message : undefined,
 	};