---
name: model-policy
description: "Ahmed's default model preference for the Ultron agent — Sonnet by default, Opus only for heavy tasks"
metadata: 
  node_type: memory
  type: feedback
  originSessionId: 8a4ea5c5-d7fe-4163-bb17-09b123f5efd4
---

Ahmed wants the Ultron VPS agent to run **Sonnet 5 by default**, not Opus on everything. Set via `"model": "sonnet"` in `/root/.claude/settings.json` (2026-07-03). The tmux launch command (`claude --channels plugin:telegram@... --dangerously-skip-permissions`) has no `--model` flag, so settings.json wins; the change applies on next agent restart.

**Why:** Not every Telegram request needs Opus at max effort — cost control.

**How to apply:** Keep Sonnet as the default. Escalate to Opus only for genuinely heavy tasks (big scrapes, deep analysis) OR when Ahmed explicitly says so (e.g. "use Opus for this"). Practical route for one-off heavy jobs without restarting: dispatch an Opus subagent via the Agent tool while the main loop stays on Sonnet.