Strategic Model Selection

Master Claude Code's model selection to optimize performance, cost, and usage limits while maximizing development effectiveness through strategic model switching.

Model Selection Philosophy

Right Model for the Right Task: Each Claude model has unique strengths. Strategic selection maximizes output quality while managing usage limits and costs effectively.

Plan with Power, Code with Efficiency: Use high-capability models for complex planning and reasoning, then switch to efficient models for implementation and iteration.

Available Models & Strategic Use Cases

🎯 Default (Recommended)

• Model: Opus 4.1 up to 50% usage limits, then Sonnet 4
• Best For: Balanced approach with automatic optimization
• Usage Pattern: General development with built-in limit management

🚀 Opus

• Model: Opus 4.1 for complex tasks, reaches limits faster
• Best For: Complex architecture, critical debugging, advanced problem solving
• Usage Pattern: Reserve for challenging tasks requiring maximum reasoning capability

⚡ Sonnet

• Model: Sonnet 4 for daily use
• Best For: Coding, refactoring, testing, routine development tasks
• Usage Pattern: Primary workhorse for implementation and iteration

🎨 Opus Plan Mode ⭐ Recommended Strategy

• Model: Opus 4.1 for planning, Sonnet 4 for execution
• Best For: Complex projects requiring detailed planning with efficient implementation
• Usage Pattern: Strategic thinking with cost-effective execution

Editing Mode Control

Shift+Tab Mode Switching

Claude Code provides powerful mode switching via Shift+Tab:

Shift+Tab → Cycles through editing modes:
1. Default Mode    (Balanced model selection)
2. Opus Mode       (Maximum reasoning power)
3. Sonnet Mode     (Efficient coding focus)  
4. Opus Plan Mode  (Strategic planning + efficient execution)

Pro Tip: Keep pressing Shift+Tab until you see "Opus Plan Mode" for optimal workflow balance.

Strategic Model Usage Patterns

Pattern 1: Complex Project Lifecycle

Pattern 2: Problem-Solving Escalation

Model-Specific Command Optimization

🎨 Opus Plan Mode - Strategic Commands

Ideal Commands:

• @prd.md - Complex product requirements with market analysis
• @ask.md - Architectural consultation requiring deep reasoning
• @state_tracker.md create - Project phase planning
• @review.md - Comprehensive code quality analysis

Workflow:

# Switch to Opus Plan Mode
Shift+Tab (until you see "Opus Plan Mode")

# Strategic planning with Opus reasoning
@prd.md "Advanced Analytics Platform"
@ask.md "What's the best microservices architecture for high-volume data processing?"

# Implementation automatically uses Sonnet
@state_tracker.md create
@state_tracker.md start 1  # Auto-invokes @code.md in Sonnet

⚡ Sonnet Mode - Implementation Commands

Ideal Commands:

• @code.md - Feature implementation and development
• @debug.md - Issue resolution and troubleshooting
• @refactor.md - Code structure improvements
• @test.md - Testing strategy and implementation
• @optimize.md - Performance improvements

Workflow:

# Switch to Sonnet for efficient coding
Shift+Tab (select "Sonnet")

# High-velocity development
@code.md "User authentication system"
@debug.md "Login validation errors"
@refactor.md "Authentication middleware structure"
@test.md "Authentication flow testing"

🚀 Full Opus Mode - Critical Tasks

When to Use:

• Complex architectural decisions with multiple trade-offs
• Critical debugging requiring deep system understanding
• Advanced algorithm implementation
• Integration of complex third-party systems
• Security-critical implementations

Workflow:

# Switch to full Opus for maximum capability
Shift+Tab (select "Opus")

# Critical problem solving
@ask.md "How to implement zero-downtime deployment with database migrations?"
@debug.md "Intermittent race condition in distributed system"
@code.md "Implement custom encryption algorithm with specific requirements"

Strategic Model Selection Guide

📊 Usage Optimization Matrix

Task Complexity	Planning Needed	Model Choice	Rationale
Simple	Minimal	⚡ Sonnet	Fast, efficient, cost-effective
Moderate	Some	🎯 Default	Balanced approach with auto-optimization
Complex	Extensive	🎨 Opus Plan Mode	Strategic planning + efficient execution
Critical	Deep Analysis	🚀 Full Opus	Maximum reasoning for critical decisions

🎯 Command-Model Pairing Recommendations

Strategic Planning Commands → Opus Plan Mode

@prd.md          # Product requirements need strategic thinking
@ask.md          # Architectural questions benefit from deep reasoning  
@goals.md        # Project coordination requires comprehensive planning

Implementation Commands → Sonnet Mode

@code.md         # Implementation benefits from efficient, fast iteration
@debug.md        # Most debugging can be handled efficiently  
@refactor.md     # Code improvements work well with Sonnet
@test.md         # Testing strategy implementation is straightforward

Quality Analysis Commands → Opus Plan Mode

@review.md       # Comprehensive analysis benefits from advanced reasoning
@optimize.md     # Performance analysis requires strategic thinking
@deploy-check.md # Deployment validation needs thorough analysis

Advanced Model Switching Techniques

Technique 1: Context-Aware Switching

Situation: Working on a complex feature with multiple phases

# Start strategic with Opus Plan Mode
@ask.md "What's the best approach for real-time notifications?"

# Switch to Sonnet for implementation  
Shift+Tab (select "Sonnet")
@code.md "Implement WebSocket notification system based on architectural guidance"

# Switch back to Opus Plan Mode for review
Shift+Tab (select "Opus Plan Mode")  
@review.md "WebSocket notification implementation"

Technique 2: Escalation Strategy

Situation: Sonnet struggles with a task

# Start efficient
@code.md "Complex data transformation logic"

# If Sonnet struggles, escalate to Opus Plan Mode
Shift+Tab (select "Opus Plan Mode")
@ask.md "Help me design the data transformation approach"

# If still struggling, go full Opus
Shift+Tab (select "Opus")
@code.md "Implement complex data transformation with detailed guidance"

Technique 3: Session Management

Situation: Managing usage limits strategically

# Morning: Fresh limits, use Opus Plan Mode for key decisions
@prd.md "New feature requirements"
@ask.md "Architecture decisions for new feature"

# Midday: Switch to Sonnet for implementation  
@code.md "Feature implementation"
@test.md "Feature testing"

# Afternoon: Reserve remaining Opus for reviews
@review.md "Feature implementation review"

Best Practices

🎯 Maximize Opus Plan Mode Usage

• Primary Strategy: Use Opus Plan Mode as default for complex projects
• Benefits: Strategic planning with efficient execution
• Cost Efficiency: Opus reasoning where it matters, Sonnet speed for implementation

⚡ Sonnet Optimization

• Coding Tasks: Sonnet excels at implementation, refactoring, testing
• Future Potential: 1M+ token context will make Sonnet even more powerful for coding
• Iteration Speed: Fast feedback loops for development and debugging

🚀 Strategic Opus Usage

• Reserve for Critical Tasks: Complex architecture, critical debugging, advanced algorithms
• Usage Limit Management: Save Opus for tasks that truly need maximum reasoning
• Quality Gates: Use for comprehensive reviews and critical decision points

📊 Session Planning

• Start with Strategy: Begin sessions with architectural planning in Opus Plan Mode
• Implement Efficiently: Use Sonnet for bulk implementation work
• End with Quality: Reserve Opus capacity for final reviews and validations

Common Model Selection Anti-Patterns

❌ Opus Waste

• Using full Opus for simple coding tasks
• Not switching to Sonnet for routine implementation
• Burning through usage limits on straightforward tasks

❌ Sonnet Limitations

• Forcing Sonnet to handle complex architectural decisions
• Not escalating when Sonnet struggles with complex logic
• Missing opportunities for strategic planning

❌ Mode Switching Neglect

• Staying in one mode for entire sessions
• Not leveraging Opus Plan Mode's hybrid approach
• Forgetting to check current mode before starting tasks

Future Model Considerations

🔮 Sonnet Evolution

• Expected: 1M+ token context windows
• Impact: Even better for large codebase understanding
• Strategy: Will make Sonnet even more powerful for implementation tasks

🎯 Optimal Future Workflow

# Strategic planning with maximum reasoning
Opus Plan Mode: @prd.md, @ask.md, @review.md

# Implementation with enhanced context understanding  
Sonnet: @code.md, @debug.md, @refactor.md, @test.md

# Critical decisions with full reasoning power
Full Opus: Complex architecture, critical debugging, advanced algorithms

Master strategic model selection to build a development workflow that maximizes both output quality and resource efficiency, ensuring you have the right reasoning power for each phase of your project.