feat: TUI onboarding (#3398)

Example of how onboarding could look like

codex-rs/common/src/model_presets.rs

@@ -49,6 +49,13 @@ pub fn builtin_model_presets() -> &'static [ModelPreset] {
             model: "gpt-5",
             effort: ReasoningEffort::High,
         },
+        ModelPreset {
+            id: "gpt-5-high-new",
+            label: "gpt-5 high new",
+            description: "— our latest release tuned to rely on the model's built-in reasoning defaults",
+            model: "gpt-5-high-new",
+            effort: ReasoningEffort::Medium,
+        },
     ];
     PRESETS
 }

codex-rs/core/src/config.rs

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ use crate::model_provider_info::built_in_model_providers;
 use crate::openai_model_info::get_model_info;
 use crate::protocol::AskForApproval;
 use crate::protocol::SandboxPolicy;
+use anyhow::Context;
 use codex_protocol::config_types::ReasoningEffort;
 use codex_protocol::config_types::ReasoningSummary;
 use codex_protocol::config_types::SandboxMode;
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ use toml::Value as TomlValue;
 use toml_edit::DocumentMut;
 
 const OPENAI_DEFAULT_MODEL: &str = "gpt-5";
+pub const GPT5_HIGH_MODEL: &str = "gpt-5-high";
 
 /// Maximum number of bytes of the documentation that will be embedded. Larger
 /// files are *silently truncated* to this size so we do not take up too much of
@@ -128,9 +130,6 @@ pub struct Config {
     /// output will be hyperlinked using the specified URI scheme.
     pub file_opener: UriBasedFileOpener,
 
-    /// Collection of settings that are specific to the TUI.
-    pub tui: Tui,
-
     /// Path to the `codex-linux-sandbox` executable. This must be set if
     /// [`crate::exec::SandboxType::LinuxSeccomp`] is used. Note that this
     /// cannot be set in the config file: it must be set in code via
@@ -351,6 +350,107 @@ pub fn set_project_trusted(codex_home: &Path, project_path: &Path) -> anyhow::Re
     Ok(())
 }
 
+fn ensure_profile_table<'a>(
+    doc: &'a mut DocumentMut,
+    profile_name: &str,
+) -> anyhow::Result<&'a mut toml_edit::Table> {
+    let mut created_profiles_table = false;
+    {
+        let root = doc.as_table_mut();
+        let needs_table = !root.contains_key("profiles")
+            || root
+                .get("profiles")
+                .and_then(|item| item.as_table())
+                .is_none();
+        if needs_table {
+            root.insert("profiles", toml_edit::table());
+            created_profiles_table = true;
+        }
+    }
+
+    let Some(profiles_table) = doc["profiles"].as_table_mut() else {
+        return Err(anyhow::anyhow!(
+            "profiles table missing after initialization"
+        ));
+    };
+
+    if created_profiles_table {
+        profiles_table.set_implicit(true);
+    }
+
+    let needs_profile_table = !profiles_table.contains_key(profile_name)
+        || profiles_table
+            .get(profile_name)
+            .and_then(|item| item.as_table())
+            .is_none();
+    if needs_profile_table {
+        profiles_table.insert(profile_name, toml_edit::table());
+    }
+
+    let Some(profile_table) = profiles_table
+        .get_mut(profile_name)
+        .and_then(|item| item.as_table_mut())
+    else {
+        return Err(anyhow::anyhow!(format!(
+            "profile table missing for {profile_name}"
+        )));
+    };
+
+    profile_table.set_implicit(false);
+    Ok(profile_table)
+}
+
+// TODO(jif) refactor config persistence.
+pub async fn persist_model_selection(
+    codex_home: &Path,
+    active_profile: Option<&str>,
+    model: &str,
+    effort: Option<ReasoningEffort>,
+) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+    let config_path = codex_home.join(CONFIG_TOML_FILE);
+    let serialized = match tokio::fs::read_to_string(&config_path).await {
+        Ok(contents) => contents,
+        Err(err) if err.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound => String::new(),
+        Err(err) => return Err(err.into()),
+    };
+
+    let mut doc = if serialized.is_empty() {
+        DocumentMut::new()
+    } else {
+        serialized.parse::<DocumentMut>()?
+    };
+
+    if let Some(profile_name) = active_profile {
+        let profile_table = ensure_profile_table(&mut doc, profile_name)?;
+        profile_table["model"] = toml_edit::value(model);
+        if let Some(effort) = effort {
+            profile_table["model_reasoning_effort"] = toml_edit::value(effort.to_string());
+        }
+    } else {
+        let table = doc.as_table_mut();
+        table["model"] = toml_edit::value(model);
+        if let Some(effort) = effort {
+            table["model_reasoning_effort"] = toml_edit::value(effort.to_string());
+        }
+    }
+
+    // TODO(jif) refactor the home creation
+    tokio::fs::create_dir_all(codex_home)
+        .await
+        .with_context(|| {
+            format!(
+                "failed to create Codex home directory at {}",
+                codex_home.display()
+            )
+        })?;
+
+    tokio::fs::write(&config_path, doc.to_string())
+        .await
+        .with_context(|| format!("failed to persist config.toml at {}", config_path.display()))?;
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 /// Apply a single dotted-path override onto a TOML value.
 fn apply_toml_override(root: &mut TomlValue, path: &str, value: TomlValue) {
     use toml::value::Table;
@@ -804,7 +904,6 @@ impl Config {
             codex_home,
             history,
             file_opener: cfg.file_opener.unwrap_or(UriBasedFileOpener::VsCode),
-            tui: cfg.tui.unwrap_or_default(),
             codex_linux_sandbox_exe,
 
             hide_agent_reasoning: cfg.hide_agent_reasoning.unwrap_or(false),
@@ -948,6 +1047,7 @@ mod tests {
 
     use super::*;
     use pretty_assertions::assert_eq;
+
     use tempfile::TempDir;
 
     #[test]
@@ -1038,6 +1138,145 @@ exclude_slash_tmp = true
         );
     }
 
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn persist_model_selection_updates_defaults() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+        let codex_home = TempDir::new()?;
+
+        persist_model_selection(
+            codex_home.path(),
+            None,
+            "gpt-5-high-new",
+            Some(ReasoningEffort::High),
+        )
+        .await?;
+
+        let serialized =
+            tokio::fs::read_to_string(codex_home.path().join(CONFIG_TOML_FILE)).await?;
+        let parsed: ConfigToml = toml::from_str(&serialized)?;
+
+        assert_eq!(parsed.model.as_deref(), Some("gpt-5-high-new"));
+        assert_eq!(parsed.model_reasoning_effort, Some(ReasoningEffort::High));
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn persist_model_selection_overwrites_existing_model() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+        let codex_home = TempDir::new()?;
+        let config_path = codex_home.path().join(CONFIG_TOML_FILE);
+
+        tokio::fs::write(
+            &config_path,
+            r#"
+model = "gpt-5"
+model_reasoning_effort = "medium"
+
+[profiles.dev]
+model = "gpt-4.1"
+"#,
+        )
+        .await?;
+
+        persist_model_selection(
+            codex_home.path(),
+            None,
+            "o4-mini",
+            Some(ReasoningEffort::High),
+        )
+        .await?;
+
+        let serialized = tokio::fs::read_to_string(config_path).await?;
+        let parsed: ConfigToml = toml::from_str(&serialized)?;
+
+        assert_eq!(parsed.model.as_deref(), Some("o4-mini"));
+        assert_eq!(parsed.model_reasoning_effort, Some(ReasoningEffort::High));
+        assert_eq!(
+            parsed
+                .profiles
+                .get("dev")
+                .and_then(|profile| profile.model.as_deref()),
+            Some("gpt-4.1"),
+        );
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn persist_model_selection_updates_profile() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+        let codex_home = TempDir::new()?;
+
+        persist_model_selection(
+            codex_home.path(),
+            Some("dev"),
+            "gpt-5-high-new",
+            Some(ReasoningEffort::Low),
+        )
+        .await?;
+
+        let serialized =
+            tokio::fs::read_to_string(codex_home.path().join(CONFIG_TOML_FILE)).await?;
+        let parsed: ConfigToml = toml::from_str(&serialized)?;
+        let profile = parsed
+            .profiles
+            .get("dev")
+            .expect("profile should be created");
+
+        assert_eq!(profile.model.as_deref(), Some("gpt-5-high-new"));
+        assert_eq!(profile.model_reasoning_effort, Some(ReasoningEffort::Low));
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn persist_model_selection_updates_existing_profile() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+        let codex_home = TempDir::new()?;
+        let config_path = codex_home.path().join(CONFIG_TOML_FILE);
+
+        tokio::fs::write(
+            &config_path,
+            r#"
+[profiles.dev]
+model = "gpt-4"
+model_reasoning_effort = "medium"
+
+[profiles.prod]
+model = "gpt-5"
+"#,
+        )
+        .await?;
+
+        persist_model_selection(
+            codex_home.path(),
+            Some("dev"),
+            "o4-high",
+            Some(ReasoningEffort::Medium),
+        )
+        .await?;
+
+        let serialized = tokio::fs::read_to_string(config_path).await?;
+        let parsed: ConfigToml = toml::from_str(&serialized)?;
+
+        let dev_profile = parsed
+            .profiles
+            .get("dev")
+            .expect("dev profile should survive updates");
+        assert_eq!(dev_profile.model.as_deref(), Some("o4-high"));
+        assert_eq!(
+            dev_profile.model_reasoning_effort,
+            Some(ReasoningEffort::Medium)
+        );
+
+        assert_eq!(
+            parsed
+                .profiles
+                .get("prod")
+                .and_then(|profile| profile.model.as_deref()),
+            Some("gpt-5"),
+        );
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
     struct PrecedenceTestFixture {
         cwd: TempDir,
         codex_home: TempDir,
@@ -1196,7 +1435,6 @@ model_verbosity = "high"
                 codex_home: fixture.codex_home(),
                 history: History::default(),
                 file_opener: UriBasedFileOpener::VsCode,
-                tui: Tui::default(),
                 codex_linux_sandbox_exe: None,
                 hide_agent_reasoning: false,
                 show_raw_agent_reasoning: false,
@@ -1253,7 +1491,6 @@ model_verbosity = "high"
             codex_home: fixture.codex_home(),
             history: History::default(),
             file_opener: UriBasedFileOpener::VsCode,
-            tui: Tui::default(),
             codex_linux_sandbox_exe: None,
             hide_agent_reasoning: false,
             show_raw_agent_reasoning: false,
@@ -1325,7 +1562,6 @@ model_verbosity = "high"
             codex_home: fixture.codex_home(),
             history: History::default(),
             file_opener: UriBasedFileOpener::VsCode,
-            tui: Tui::default(),
             codex_linux_sandbox_exe: None,
             hide_agent_reasoning: false,
             show_raw_agent_reasoning: false,
@@ -1383,7 +1619,6 @@ model_verbosity = "high"
             codex_home: fixture.codex_home(),
             history: History::default(),
             file_opener: UriBasedFileOpener::VsCode,
-            tui: Tui::default(),
             codex_linux_sandbox_exe: None,
             hide_agent_reasoning: false,
             show_raw_agent_reasoning: false,

codex-rs/core/src/internal_storage.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+use anyhow::Context;
+use serde::Deserialize;
+use serde::Serialize;
+use std::path::Path;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
+
+pub(crate) const INTERNAL_STORAGE_FILE: &str = "internal_storage.json";
+
+#[derive(Debug, Default, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct InternalStorage {
+    #[serde(skip)]
+    storage_path: PathBuf,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub gpt_5_high_model_prompt_seen: bool,
+}
+
+// TODO(jif) generalise all the file writers and build proper async channel inserters.
+impl InternalStorage {
+    pub fn load(codex_home: &Path) -> Self {
+        let storage_path = codex_home.join(INTERNAL_STORAGE_FILE);
+
+        match std::fs::read_to_string(&storage_path) {
+            Ok(serialized) => match serde_json::from_str::<Self>(&serialized) {
+                Ok(mut storage) => {
+                    storage.storage_path = storage_path;
+                    storage
+                }
+                Err(error) => {
+                    tracing::warn!("failed to parse internal storage: {error:?}");
+                    Self::empty(storage_path)
+                }
+            },
+            Err(error) => {
+                tracing::warn!("failed to read internal storage: {error:?}");
+                Self::empty(storage_path)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn empty(storage_path: PathBuf) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            storage_path,
+            ..Default::default()
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub async fn persist(&self) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+        let serialized = serde_json::to_string_pretty(self)?;
+
+        if let Some(parent) = self.storage_path.parent() {
+            tokio::fs::create_dir_all(parent).await.with_context(|| {
+                format!(
+                    "failed to create internal storage directory at {}",
+                    parent.display()
+                )
+            })?;
+        }
+
+        tokio::fs::write(&self.storage_path, serialized)
+            .await
+            .with_context(|| {
+                format!(
+                    "failed to persist internal storage at {}",
+                    self.storage_path.display()
+                )
+            })
+    }
+}

codex-rs/core/src/lib.rs

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ mod exec_command;
 pub mod exec_env;
 mod flags;
 pub mod git_info;
+pub mod internal_storage;
 mod is_safe_command;
 pub mod landlock;
 mod mcp_connection_manager;
@@ -74,6 +75,7 @@ pub use rollout::list::ConversationsPage;
 pub use rollout::list::Cursor;
 mod user_notification;
 pub mod util;
+
 pub use apply_patch::CODEX_APPLY_PATCH_ARG1;
 pub use safety::get_platform_sandbox;
 // Re-export the protocol types from the standalone `codex-protocol` crate so existing

codex-rs/tui/src/app.rs

@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ use codex_ansi_escape::ansi_escape_line;
 use codex_core::AuthManager;
 use codex_core::ConversationManager;
 use codex_core::config::Config;
+use codex_core::config::persist_model_selection;
+use codex_core::model_family::find_family_for_model;
 use codex_core::protocol::TokenUsage;
 use color_eyre::eyre::Result;
 use color_eyre::eyre::WrapErr;
@@ -37,6 +39,9 @@ pub(crate) struct App {
 
     /// Config is stored here so we can recreate ChatWidgets as needed.
     pub(crate) config: Config,
+    pub(crate) active_profile: Option<String>,
+    model_saved_to_profile: bool,
+    model_saved_to_global: bool,
 
     pub(crate) file_search: FileSearchManager,
 
@@ -61,6 +66,7 @@ impl App {
         tui: &mut tui::Tui,
         auth_manager: Arc<AuthManager>,
         config: Config,
+        active_profile: Option<String>,
         initial_prompt: Option<String>,
         initial_images: Vec<PathBuf>,
         resume_selection: ResumeSelection,
@@ -119,6 +125,9 @@ impl App {
             app_event_tx,
             chat_widget,
             config,
+            active_profile,
+            model_saved_to_profile: false,
+            model_saved_to_global: false,
             file_search,
             enhanced_keys_supported,
             transcript_lines: Vec::new(),
@@ -291,7 +300,14 @@ impl App {
                 self.chat_widget.set_reasoning_effort(effort);
             }
             AppEvent::UpdateModel(model) => {
-                self.chat_widget.set_model(model);
+                self.chat_widget.set_model(model.clone());
+                self.config.model = model.clone();
+                if let Some(family) = find_family_for_model(&model) {
+                    self.config.model_family = family;
+                }
+                self.model_saved_to_profile = false;
+                self.model_saved_to_global = false;
+                self.show_model_save_hint();
             }
             AppEvent::UpdateAskForApprovalPolicy(policy) => {
                 self.chat_widget.set_approval_policy(policy);
@@ -307,6 +323,92 @@ impl App {
         self.chat_widget.token_usage()
     }
 
+    fn show_model_save_hint(&mut self) {
+        let model = self.config.model.clone();
+        if self.active_profile.is_some() {
+            self.chat_widget.add_info_message(format!(
+                "Model switched to {model}. Press Ctrl+S to save it for this profile, then press Ctrl+S again to set it as your global default."
+            ));
+        } else {
+            self.chat_widget.add_info_message(format!(
+                "Model switched to {model}. Press Ctrl+S to save it as your global default."
+            ));
+        }
+    }
+
+    async fn persist_model_shortcut(&mut self) {
+        enum SaveScope<'a> {
+            Profile(&'a str),
+            Global,
+            AlreadySaved,
+        }
+
+        let scope = if let Some(profile) = self
+            .active_profile
+            .as_deref()
+            .filter(|_| !self.model_saved_to_profile)
+        {
+            SaveScope::Profile(profile)
+        } else if !self.model_saved_to_global {
+            SaveScope::Global
+        } else {
+            SaveScope::AlreadySaved
+        };
+
+        let model = self.config.model.clone();
+        let effort = self.config.model_reasoning_effort;
+        let codex_home = self.config.codex_home.clone();
+
+        match scope {
+            SaveScope::Profile(profile) => {
+                match persist_model_selection(&codex_home, Some(profile), &model, Some(effort))
+                    .await
+                {
+                    Ok(()) => {
+                        self.model_saved_to_profile = true;
+                        self.chat_widget.add_info_message(format!(
+                            "Saved model {model} ({effort}) for profile `{profile}`. Press Ctrl+S again to make this your global default."
+                        ));
+                    }
+                    Err(err) => {
+                        tracing::error!(
+                            error = %err,
+                            "failed to persist model selection via shortcut"
+                        );
+                        self.chat_widget.add_error_message(format!(
+                            "Failed to save model preference for profile `{profile}`: {err}"
+                        ));
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            SaveScope::Global => {
+                match persist_model_selection(&codex_home, None, &model, Some(effort)).await {
+                    Ok(()) => {
+                        self.model_saved_to_global = true;
+                        self.chat_widget.add_info_message(format!(
+                            "Saved model {model} ({effort}) as your global default."
+                        ));
+                    }
+                    Err(err) => {
+                        tracing::error!(
+                            error = %err,
+                            "failed to persist global model selection via shortcut"
+                        );
+                        self.chat_widget.add_error_message(format!(
+                            "Failed to save global model preference: {err}"
+                        ));
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            SaveScope::AlreadySaved => {
+                self.chat_widget.add_info_message(
+                    "Model preference already saved globally; no further action needed."
+                        .to_string(),
+                );
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     async fn handle_key_event(&mut self, tui: &mut tui::Tui, key_event: KeyEvent) {
         match key_event {
             KeyEvent {
@@ -320,6 +422,14 @@ impl App {
                 self.overlay = Some(Overlay::new_transcript(self.transcript_lines.clone()));
                 tui.frame_requester().schedule_frame();
             }
+            KeyEvent {
+                code: KeyCode::Char('s'),
+                modifiers: crossterm::event::KeyModifiers::CONTROL,
+                kind: KeyEventKind::Press,
+                ..
+            } => {
+                self.persist_model_shortcut().await;
+            }
             // Esc primes/advances backtracking only in normal (not working) mode
             // with an empty composer. In any other state, forward Esc so the
             // active UI (e.g. status indicator, modals, popups) handles it.

codex-rs/tui/src/chatwidget.rs

@@ -1207,7 +1207,7 @@ impl ChatWidget {
         self.bottom_pane.show_selection_view(
             "Select model and reasoning level".to_string(),
             Some("Switch between OpenAI models for this and future Codex CLI session".to_string()),
-            Some("Press Enter to confirm or Esc to go back".to_string()),
+            Some("Press Enter to confirm, Esc to go back, Ctrl+S to save".to_string()),
             items,
         );
     }
@@ -1273,6 +1273,16 @@ impl ChatWidget {
         self.config.model = model;
     }
 
+    pub(crate) fn add_info_message(&mut self, message: String) {
+        self.add_to_history(history_cell::new_info_event(message));
+        self.request_redraw();
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn add_error_message(&mut self, message: String) {
+        self.add_to_history(history_cell::new_error_event(message));
+        self.request_redraw();
+    }
+
     pub(crate) fn add_mcp_output(&mut self) {
         if self.config.mcp_servers.is_empty() {
             self.add_to_history(history_cell::empty_mcp_output());

codex-rs/tui/src/history_cell.rs

@@ -1052,6 +1052,12 @@ pub(crate) fn new_mcp_tools_output(
     PlainHistoryCell { lines }
 }
 
+pub(crate) fn new_info_event(message: String) -> PlainHistoryCell {
+    let lines: Vec<Line<'static>> =
+        vec![vec![padded_emoji("💾").green(), " ".into(), message.into()].into()];
+    PlainHistoryCell { lines }
+}
+
 pub(crate) fn new_error_event(message: String) -> PlainHistoryCell {
     // Use a hair space (U+200A) to create a subtle, near-invisible separation
     // before the text. VS16 is intentionally omitted to keep spacing tighter

codex-rs/tui/src/lib.rs

@@ -11,8 +11,10 @@ use codex_core::RolloutRecorder;
 use codex_core::config::Config;
 use codex_core::config::ConfigOverrides;
 use codex_core::config::ConfigToml;
+use codex_core::config::GPT5_HIGH_MODEL;
 use codex_core::config::find_codex_home;
 use codex_core::config::load_config_as_toml_with_cli_overrides;
+use codex_core::config::persist_model_selection;
 use codex_core::protocol::AskForApproval;
 use codex_core::protocol::SandboxPolicy;
 use codex_ollama::DEFAULT_OSS_MODEL;
@@ -47,6 +49,7 @@ pub mod live_wrap;
 mod markdown;
 mod markdown_render;
 mod markdown_stream;
+mod new_model_popup;
 pub mod onboarding;
 mod pager_overlay;
 mod render;
@@ -65,12 +68,14 @@ mod wrapping;
 #[cfg(not(debug_assertions))]
 mod updates;
 
-pub use cli::Cli;
+use crate::new_model_popup::ModelUpgradeDecision;
-
+use crate::new_model_popup::run_model_upgrade_popup;
 use crate::onboarding::TrustDirectorySelection;
 use crate::onboarding::onboarding_screen::OnboardingScreenArgs;
 use crate::onboarding::onboarding_screen::run_onboarding_app;
 use crate::tui::Tui;
+pub use cli::Cli;
+use codex_core::internal_storage::InternalStorage;
 
 // (tests access modules directly within the crate)
 
@@ -174,14 +179,21 @@ pub async fn run_main(
         }
     };
 
+    let cli_profile_override = cli.config_profile.clone();
+    let active_profile = cli_profile_override
+        .clone()
+        .or_else(|| config_toml.profile.clone());
+
     let should_show_trust_screen = determine_repo_trust_state(
         &mut config,
         &config_toml,
         approval_policy,
         sandbox_mode,
-        cli.config_profile.clone(),
+        cli_profile_override,
     )?;
 
+    let internal_storage = InternalStorage::load(&config.codex_home);
+
     let log_dir = codex_core::config::log_dir(&config)?;
     std::fs::create_dir_all(&log_dir)?;
     // Open (or create) your log file, appending to it.
@@ -224,14 +236,22 @@ pub async fn run_main(
 
     let _ = tracing_subscriber::registry().with(file_layer).try_init();
 
-    run_ratatui_app(cli, config, should_show_trust_screen)
+    run_ratatui_app(
-        .await
+        cli,
-        .map_err(|err| std::io::Error::other(err.to_string()))
+        config,
+        internal_storage,
+        active_profile,
+        should_show_trust_screen,
+    )
+    .await
+    .map_err(|err| std::io::Error::other(err.to_string()))
 }
 
 async fn run_ratatui_app(
     cli: Cli,
     config: Config,
+    mut internal_storage: InternalStorage,
+    active_profile: Option<String>,
     should_show_trust_screen: bool,
 ) -> color_eyre::Result<codex_core::protocol::TokenUsage> {
     let mut config = config;
@@ -300,14 +320,6 @@ async fn run_ratatui_app(
     // Initialize high-fidelity session event logging if enabled.
     session_log::maybe_init(&config);
 
-    let Cli {
-        prompt,
-        images,
-        resume,
-        r#continue,
-        ..
-    } = cli;
-
     let auth_manager = AuthManager::shared(config.codex_home.clone());
     let login_status = get_login_status(&config);
     let should_show_onboarding =
@@ -330,7 +342,7 @@ async fn run_ratatui_app(
         }
     }
 
-    let resume_selection = if r#continue {
+    let resume_selection = if cli.r#continue {
         match RolloutRecorder::list_conversations(&config.codex_home, 1, None).await {
             Ok(page) => page
                 .items
@@ -339,7 +351,7 @@ async fn run_ratatui_app(
                 .unwrap_or(resume_picker::ResumeSelection::StartFresh),
             Err(_) => resume_picker::ResumeSelection::StartFresh,
         }
-    } else if resume {
+    } else if cli.resume {
         match resume_picker::run_resume_picker(&mut tui, &config.codex_home).await? {
             resume_picker::ResumeSelection::Exit => {
                 restore();
@@ -352,10 +364,42 @@ async fn run_ratatui_app(
         resume_picker::ResumeSelection::StartFresh
     };
 
+    if should_show_model_rollout_prompt(
+        &cli,
+        &config,
+        active_profile.as_deref(),
+        internal_storage.gpt_5_high_model_prompt_seen,
+    ) {
+        internal_storage.gpt_5_high_model_prompt_seen = true;
+        if let Err(e) = internal_storage.persist().await {
+            error!("Failed to persist internal storage: {e:?}");
+        }
+
+        let upgrade_decision = run_model_upgrade_popup(&mut tui).await?;
+        let switch_to_new_model = upgrade_decision == ModelUpgradeDecision::Switch;
+
+        if switch_to_new_model {
+            config.model = GPT5_HIGH_MODEL.to_owned();
+            if let Err(e) = persist_model_selection(
+                &config.codex_home,
+                active_profile.as_deref(),
+                &config.model,
+                None,
+            )
+            .await
+            {
+                error!("Failed to persist model selection: {e:?}");
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    let Cli { prompt, images, .. } = cli;
+
     let app_result = App::run(
         &mut tui,
         auth_manager,
         config,
+        active_profile,
         prompt,
         images,
         resume_selection,
@@ -463,11 +507,44 @@ fn should_show_login_screen(login_status: LoginStatus, config: &Config) -> bool
     login_status == LoginStatus::NotAuthenticated
 }
 
+fn should_show_model_rollout_prompt(
+    cli: &Cli,
+    config: &Config,
+    active_profile: Option<&str>,
+    gpt_5_high_model_prompt_seen: bool,
+) -> bool {
+    // TODO(jif) drop.
+    let debug_high_enabled = std::env::var("DEBUG_HIGH")
+        .map(|v| v.eq_ignore_ascii_case("1"))
+        .unwrap_or(false);
+
+    active_profile.is_none()
+        && debug_high_enabled
+        && cli.model.is_none()
+        && !gpt_5_high_model_prompt_seen
+        && config.model_provider.requires_openai_auth
+        && !cli.oss
+}
+
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
     use super::*;
+    use clap::Parser;
+    use std::sync::Once;
+
+    fn enable_debug_high_env() {
+        static DEBUG_HIGH_ONCE: Once = Once::new();
+        DEBUG_HIGH_ONCE.call_once(|| {
+            // SAFETY: Tests run in a controlled environment and require this env variable to
+            // opt into the GPT-5 High rollout prompt gating. We only set it once.
+            unsafe {
+                std::env::set_var("DEBUG_HIGH", "1");
+            }
+        });
+    }
 
     fn make_config() -> Config {
+        enable_debug_high_env();
         Config::load_from_base_config_with_overrides(
             ConfigToml::default(),
             ConfigOverrides::default(),
@@ -484,4 +561,37 @@ mod tests {
             &cfg
         ));
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn shows_model_rollout_prompt_for_default_model() {
+        let cli = Cli::parse_from(["codex"]);
+        let cfg = make_config();
+        assert!(should_show_model_rollout_prompt(&cli, &cfg, None, false));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn hides_model_rollout_prompt_when_marked_seen() {
+        let cli = Cli::parse_from(["codex"]);
+        let cfg = make_config();
+        assert!(!should_show_model_rollout_prompt(&cli, &cfg, None, true));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn hides_model_rollout_prompt_when_cli_overrides_model() {
+        let cli = Cli::parse_from(["codex", "--model", "gpt-4.1"]);
+        let cfg = make_config();
+        assert!(!should_show_model_rollout_prompt(&cli, &cfg, None, false));
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn hides_model_rollout_prompt_when_profile_active() {
+        let cli = Cli::parse_from(["codex"]);
+        let cfg = make_config();
+        assert!(!should_show_model_rollout_prompt(
+            &cli,
+            &cfg,
+            Some("gpt5"),
+            false,
+        ));
+    }
 }

codex-rs/tui/src/new_model_popup.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,155 @@
+use crate::tui::FrameRequester;
+use crate::tui::Tui;
+use crate::tui::TuiEvent;
+use codex_core::config::GPT5_HIGH_MODEL;
+use color_eyre::eyre::Result;
+use crossterm::event::KeyCode;
+use crossterm::event::KeyEvent;
+use ratatui::buffer::Buffer;
+use ratatui::layout::Rect;
+use ratatui::prelude::Widget;
+use ratatui::style::Stylize;
+use ratatui::text::Line;
+use ratatui::widgets::Clear;
+use ratatui::widgets::Paragraph;
+use ratatui::widgets::WidgetRef;
+use ratatui::widgets::Wrap;
+use tokio_stream::StreamExt;
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub(crate) enum ModelUpgradeDecision {
+    Switch,
+    KeepCurrent,
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+enum ModelUpgradeOption {
+    TryNewModel,
+    KeepCurrent,
+}
+
+struct ModelUpgradePopup {
+    highlighted: ModelUpgradeOption,
+    decision: Option<ModelUpgradeDecision>,
+    request_frame: FrameRequester,
+}
+
+impl ModelUpgradePopup {
+    fn new(request_frame: FrameRequester) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            highlighted: ModelUpgradeOption::TryNewModel,
+            decision: None,
+            request_frame,
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn handle_key_event(&mut self, key_event: KeyEvent) {
+        match key_event.code {
+            KeyCode::Up | KeyCode::Char('k') => self.highlight(ModelUpgradeOption::TryNewModel),
+            KeyCode::Down | KeyCode::Char('j') => self.highlight(ModelUpgradeOption::KeepCurrent),
+            KeyCode::Char('1') => self.select(ModelUpgradeOption::TryNewModel),
+            KeyCode::Char('2') => self.select(ModelUpgradeOption::KeepCurrent),
+            KeyCode::Enter => self.select(self.highlighted),
+            KeyCode::Esc => self.select(ModelUpgradeOption::KeepCurrent),
+            _ => {}
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn highlight(&mut self, option: ModelUpgradeOption) {
+        if self.highlighted != option {
+            self.highlighted = option;
+            self.request_frame.schedule_frame();
+        }
+    }
+
+    fn select(&mut self, option: ModelUpgradeOption) {
+        self.decision = Some(option.into());
+        self.request_frame.schedule_frame();
+    }
+}
+
+impl From<ModelUpgradeOption> for ModelUpgradeDecision {
+    fn from(option: ModelUpgradeOption) -> Self {
+        match option {
+            ModelUpgradeOption::TryNewModel => ModelUpgradeDecision::Switch,
+            ModelUpgradeOption::KeepCurrent => ModelUpgradeDecision::KeepCurrent,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl WidgetRef for &ModelUpgradePopup {
+    fn render_ref(&self, area: Rect, buf: &mut Buffer) {
+        Clear.render(area, buf);
+
+        let mut lines: Vec<Line> = vec![
+            Line::from(vec![
+                "> ".into(),
+                format!("Try {GPT5_HIGH_MODEL} as your default model").bold(),
+            ]),
+            format!("  {GPT5_HIGH_MODEL} is our latest model tuned for coding workflows.").into(),
+            "  Switch now or keep your current default – you can change models any time.".into(),
+            "".into(),
+        ];
+
+        let create_option =
+            |index: usize, option: ModelUpgradeOption, text: &str| -> Line<'static> {
+                if self.highlighted == option {
+                    Line::from(vec![
+                        format!("> {}. ", index + 1).cyan(),
+                        text.to_owned().cyan(),
+                    ])
+                } else {
+                    format!("  {}. {text}", index + 1).into()
+                }
+            };
+
+        lines.push(create_option(
+            0,
+            ModelUpgradeOption::TryNewModel,
+            &format!("Yes, switch me to {GPT5_HIGH_MODEL}"),
+        ));
+        lines.push(create_option(
+            1,
+            ModelUpgradeOption::KeepCurrent,
+            "Not right now",
+        ));
+        lines.push("".into());
+        lines.push(
+            "  Press Enter to confirm or Esc to keep your current model"
+                .dim()
+                .into(),
+        );
+
+        Paragraph::new(lines)
+            .wrap(Wrap { trim: false })
+            .render(area, buf);
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) async fn run_model_upgrade_popup(tui: &mut Tui) -> Result<ModelUpgradeDecision> {
+    let mut popup = ModelUpgradePopup::new(tui.frame_requester());
+
+    tui.draw(u16::MAX, |frame| {
+        frame.render_widget_ref(&popup, frame.area());
+    })?;
+
+    let events = tui.event_stream();
+    tokio::pin!(events);
+    while popup.decision.is_none() {
+        if let Some(event) = events.next().await {
+            match event {
+                TuiEvent::Key(key_event) => popup.handle_key_event(key_event),
+                TuiEvent::Draw => {
+                    let _ = tui.draw(u16::MAX, |frame| {
+                        frame.render_widget_ref(&popup, frame.area());
+                    });
+                }
+                _ => {}
+            }
+        } else {
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    Ok(popup.decision.unwrap_or(ModelUpgradeDecision::KeepCurrent))
+}