When you have reach a usage limit and is asked to switch to auto mode using the “switch to auto” button makes the dropdown value “auto” instead of “Auto”. This results in an error stating something like “there is no model named ‘auto’”
Steps to Reproduce
Reach the limit of some model or mode and click “switch to auto” button when prompted. Try to send another message to cursor.
Expected Behavior
It should make the model dropdown value “Auto” instead of “auto”
When a model’s rate limit or quota is exceeded, Cursor displays a “Switch to Auto” option. Upon accepting it, the model is changed to the raw string value “auto” (lowercase). However, when sending a new message afterwards, the request fails with: “Invalid model option: auto”. The workaround is to manually open the model picker dropdown and click “Auto”, which properly sets the model to the correct internal identifier.
Steps to Reproduce
Use a specific model (e.g., GPT-4.1) until its quota/rate limit is reached
When the “Switch to Auto” suggestion appears, accept it
Observe the model picker now shows “auto” (set programmatically)
Try sending a new message
Error appears: “Invalid model option: auto”
Manually click the model picker and select “Auto” — this works correctly
Expected Behavior
Accepting “Switch to Auto” should set the model to the same valid identifier as manually selecting “Auto” from the model picker dropdown, allowing requests to proceed without errors.
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Any model that hits its rate limit (e.g., GPT-4.1). The issue is with the “Switch to Auto” fallback mechanism.
Additional Information
The root cause appears to be that the programmatic “Switch to Auto” sets the model to the string “auto” instead of the proper model identifier (e.g., “copilot/auto” with vendor metadata). Manually selecting “Auto” from the picker works because it uses the full model object with correct identifier and metadata.