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You choose the model Athena uses for a session from the model picker beside the message composer. Use it when you want to change the model for your next request or compare how different models handle the same task. Your choices depend on your deployment and workspace model restrictions.

How to choose a model and a reasoning effort

  1. Open the model picker
  2. Find a model family
  3. Open Configure variants
  4. Choose an effort
  5. Check the model
  6. Send your message

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Choose a model

  1. Open a session and find the model picker beside the message composer. It shows the selected model’s name or icon.
  2. Open the picker. The shortcut cards Balanced, Fast and Best set a model for you, and a Selected row shows your current choice. To pick a family yourself, browse the families under Featured and the provider groups.
  3. Select a model family. To choose a particular variant, select the arrow beside the family to Configure variants and pick an option. Choosing a Mode or an Effort closes the picker; choosing a Speed keeps it open.
  4. Check the selected model in the composer before you send your next request. On a narrow window the composer shows the model’s icon instead of its name.
Use Search models… to jump to a model by name. Search results are a flat list without variant controls, so browse the families when you want to set a mode, speed or effort.

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Model families

You can find these current families in the catalog when your workspace allows them. This is a guide to the families, rather than a promise that every model appears in your picker.

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Good to know

You do not need to be a workspace owner to choose an allowed model. A workspace can allow only approved models or block particular models. Your deployment can also restrict the catalog. These restrictions apply to individual variants, so a family can appear with fewer effort or speed choices. The picker can mark a previously selected model Unavailable. Choose an available model before continuing. Each model has its own input and output limits; choosing a family does not give every variant the same capabilities.