How to Switch Models

GLM-5.3 Now Live
The GLM Coding Plan now supports the latest GLM-5.3 model for all users (Max, Pro, and Lite), and you can switch between models within your preferred Coding Agent.

Before You Start

This is a model-switching guide for existing GLM Coding Plan users—not an onboarding tutorial. Make sure you have already:

Active GLM Coding Plan subscription and a valid Z.AI API key.
Configured the correct endpoint for your tool:
- Claude Code / Goose (Anthropic-compatible): https://api.z.ai/api/anthropic
- Codex: https://api.z.ai/api/v1
- Other OpenAI-compatible tools: https://api.z.ai/api/coding/paas/v4
Verified that your tool can successfully call an existing GLM model (for example, glm-5.3). If a basic call fails, please resolve that first.

Switching Models in Claude Code

Step 1: Update the default configuration

macOS
Windows
Linux / WSL

Method 1: In the terminal, run vim ~/.claude/settings.json to open and edit the file. When you’re done, press Esc, type :wq, and save your changes.
Method 2: In Finder, choose Go → Go to Folder, then enter ~/.claude/settings.json to locate and edit the configuration file.

The user-level Claude Code settings file is located at:%USERPROFILE%\.claude\settings.jsonTo create or open it in PowerShell:

New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force "$env:USERPROFILE\.claude"
notepad "$env:USERPROFILE\.claude\settings.json"

If you use Git Bash or WSL, the path resolution may differ. Make sure the file is read by the same Claude Code installation you launch.

The user-level Claude Code settings file is located at:~/.claude/settings.jsonTo create or open it:

mkdir -p ~/.claude
${EDITOR:-nano} ~/.claude/settings.json

If you are using WSL alongside native Windows Claude Code, the configuration file locations may differ. Make sure you edit the file used by the Claude Code installation you actually launch.

To use GLM-5.3, add or replace the following environment variables in settings.json. Do not replace the entire file if it already contains other fields —only add or update the keys shown below.

{
  "env": {
    "CLAUDE_CODE_AUTO_COMPACT_WINDOW": "1000000",
    "ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_HAIKU_MODEL": "glm-4.7",
    "ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_SONNET_MODEL": "glm-5.3[1m]",
    "ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_OPUS_MODEL": "glm-5.3[1m]"
  }
}

Enable 1M Context

To enable GLM 1M context, add the [1m] suffix to the model name (e.g., glm-5.3[1m]) and configure the compression window size parameter "CLAUDE_CODE_AUTO_COMPACT_WINDOW": "1000000". If Claude Code reports that the model with the [1m] suffix does not exist, please upgrade Claude Code to the latest version and try again.

Switch Effort (Thinking Intensity)

In a Claude Code session, type the /effort command to switch thinking intensity. The default level is max.

Tool input value	Actual level	Handling
`thinking.type` not set, `true`, `enabled`, `adaptive`	max	Uses the default level
`thinking.type` is `false`, `disabled`, `none`, `off`	low	Continues the request; still performs lightweight thinking
`reasoning_effort` is `minimal`, `light`, `low`	low	Auto-converted
`reasoning_effort` is `medium`, `high`	high	Auto-converted
`reasoning_effort` is `xhigh`, `max`, `ultra`	max	Auto-converted
`reasoning_effort` is any other unknown string	max	Falls back to the default level and logs a hint

Processing priority: Explicit Effort > thinking toggle > default max.

Claude Code uses thinking.type and output_config.effort; Codex uses reasoning.effort. Disabling the thinking configuration is converted to low and does not switch to another model.

For coding tasks, we recommend switching to max effort for deeper reasoning and more stable complex task performance.

Step 2: Confirm that the model has been switched

Open a terminal and run claude, then type /status. Verify:

Settings source shows your ~/.claude/settings.json.
Model shows glm-5.3 or glm-5.3[1m].

Switching Models in Other Tools

This currently only works with coding agents that support custom model configuration. If your agent tool does not allow custom model settings, you will need to wait for official support in a future release.

Using Cline as an example:

Please use the following settings:

API Provider：Select OpenAI Compatible
Base URL：Enter https://api.z.ai/api/coding/paas/v4
API Key：Enter your Z.AI API key
Model：Choose Custom Model and enter the model name, such as glm-5.3
Other settings:
- Uncheck Support Images
- Set Context Window Size to 1000000
- Adjust temperature and any other parameters based on your task requirements

GLM Coding Plan

Guide

Notice

Learning Resources

Campaign Rules

Before You Start

Switching Models in Claude Code

Step 1: Update the default configuration

Enable 1M Context

Switch Effort (Thinking Intensity)

Step 2: Confirm that the model has been switched

Switching Models in Other Tools

Using Cline as an example:

​Before You Start

​Switching Models in Claude Code

​Step 1: Update the default configuration

​Enable 1M Context

​Switch Effort (Thinking Intensity)

​Step 2: Confirm that the model has been switched

​Switching Models in Other Tools

​Using Cline as an example:

Before You Start

Switching Models in Claude Code

Step 1: Update the default configuration

Enable 1M Context

Switch Effort (Thinking Intensity)

Step 2: Confirm that the model has been switched

Switching Models in Other Tools

Using Cline as an example: