/model command is global, not per-session

[invidious9000]

Description

The /model command changes the model for all running sessions, not just the current one. When you run /model in one terminal window, the change propagates to other Claude Code sessions within 1-2 seconds.

Root cause

/model writes to ~/.claude/settings.json, which is a global settings file. All sessions read from this file, so a model change in one session is picked up by all others.

{
  "model": "opus",
  "skipDangerousModePermissionPrompt": true
}

Expected behavior

/model should be per-session. The global settings file should serve as the default, but changing the model in one session should not affect other running sessions.

Steps to reproduce

1. Open two separate terminal windows (not tmux panes — independent processes)
2. Run claude in both
3. In window A, run /model and switch to a different model (e.g., haiku)
4. Observe window B — within 1-2 seconds, it also switches to haiku

Workaround

Launch with claude --model <model> to override per-session without writing to the settings file.

Environment

• Claude Code (CLI)
• Linux (Manjaro)
• Two independent Konsole windows

[github-actions]

Found 3 possible duplicate issues:

1. Model setting changes globally across all sessions (regression) #20745
2. C:/Program Files/Git/model command persists globally, affecting separate terminal sessions #17820
3. [Bug] Unexpected Model Switching Between Terminal Sessions #7341

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🤖 Generated with Claude Code

[github-actions]

This issue has been automatically locked since it was closed and has not had any activity for 7 days. If you're experiencing a similar issue, please file a new issue and reference this one if it's relevant.