# Cursor CLI agent doesn't support square bracket model name variants

**URL:** <https://forum.cursor.com/t/cursor-cli-agent-doesnt-support-square-bracket-model-name-variants/163905>\
**Category:** Bug Reports\
**Tags:** cli\
**Created:** [June 23, 2026, 6:26pm UTC](https://forum.cursor.com/t/cursor-cli-agent-doesnt-support-square-bracket-model-name-variants/163905 "2026-06-23T18:26:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Claudio\_Silva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/cursor1/user_avatar/forum.cursor.com/claudio_silva/32/86074_2.png) [@Claudio\_Silva](https://forum.cursor.com/u/Claudio_Silva)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 6:26pm UTC](https://forum.cursor.com/t/cursor-cli-agent-doesnt-support-square-bracket-model-name-variants/163905/1 "2026-06-23T18:26:29Z")

</div>

### Where does the bug appear (feature/product)?

Cursor CLI

### Describe the Bug

the help text for Cursor CLI agent says:

```auto
-model <model> Model to use (e.g., gpt-5, sonnet-4-thinking). Parameterized
                               models accept quoted bracket overrides, e.g.
                               'claude-opus-4-8[context=1m,effort=high,fast=false]'

```

But if I run it with that same example, it fails and presents a list of model names, like `claude-opus-4-8-thinking-high`

### Steps to Reproduce

For example, run on the CLI:

```auto
agent --yolo --model 'claude-opus-4-8[context=1m,effort=high,fast=false]' -p 'Hello'

```

### Expected Behavior

If the --help text says it’s supported and even provides an example, at least that example should run successfully, right?

### Operating System

MacOS

### Version Information

About Cursor CLI

```auto
CLI Version 2026.06.19-20-24-33-653a7fb
Model GPT-5.5 272K Extra High Fast
Subscription Tier Pro
OS darwin (arm64)
Terminal vscode
Shell zsh
User Email claudiombsilva@gmail.com

```

### Does this stop you from using Cursor

No - Cursor works, but with this issue

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![deanrie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/cursor1/user_avatar/forum.cursor.com/deanrie/32/1263_2.png) [@deanrie](https://forum.cursor.com/u/deanrie)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2026, 5:02am UTC](https://forum.cursor.com/t/cursor-cli-agent-doesnt-support-square-bracket-model-name-variants/163905/5 "2026-06-24T05:02:57Z")

</div>

Hey, on the latest CLI builds the confusing bracket example in `--help` has already been removed, so the help text now matches the actual behavior. The parameterized bracket syntax in `--model` still isn’t supported yet.

Update the CLI using `agent update`, then pick the model directly by its slug from `agent --list-models` or `agent models`, for example `--model claude-opus-4-8-thinking-high`. For 1M context with Opus you need Max Mode, it’s easiest to choose it via the interactive `/model` picker.

Let me know if after updating your `--help` still shows the bracket example, then we can double check your version.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Claudio\_Silva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/cursor1/user_avatar/forum.cursor.com/claudio_silva/32/86074_2.png) [@Claudio\_Silva](https://forum.cursor.com/u/Claudio_Silva)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2026, 6:17pm UTC](https://forum.cursor.com/t/cursor-cli-agent-doesnt-support-square-bracket-model-name-variants/163905/6 "2026-06-25T18:17:25Z")

</div>

Hi Dean

Thanks for the explanation.  
Nevertheless, even though I updated the CLI agent to the latest version, the issue still persists:

`agent --version` → 2026.06.24-00-45-58-9f61de7  
`agent --help` →   
```  
–model Model to use (e.g., gpt-5, sonnet-4-thinking). Parameterized  
models accept quoted bracket overrides, e.g.  
‘claude-opus-4-8[context=1m,effort=high,fast=false]’  
```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![deanrie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/cursor1/user_avatar/forum.cursor.com/deanrie/32/1263_2.png) [@deanrie](https://forum.cursor.com/u/deanrie)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 4:01am UTC](https://forum.cursor.com/t/cursor-cli-agent-doesnt-support-square-bracket-model-name-variants/163905/7 "2026-06-26T04:01:47Z")

</div>

Thanks for checking and getting back with the version.

You’re right. In your build `2026.06.24-00-45-58-9f61de7`, the bracket syntax example is still in `--help`. Looks like the help text cleanup didn’t make it into that build yet.

Main point: bracket parameters in the CLI flag `--model` like `claude-opus-4-8[context=1m,effort=high,fast=false]` aren’t actually supported right now. That example showed up in `--help` by mistake and shouldn’t be there. So it’s not just a docs issue, the feature isn’t wired up to `--model` yet.

I’ve logged both the misleading help text and the missing bracket parsing. I can’t share an ETA yet, but I’ll post an update here if I have one.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/cursor1/user_avatar/forum.cursor.com/system/32/99069_2.png) [@system](https://forum.cursor.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 4:01am UTC](https://forum.cursor.com/t/cursor-cli-agent-doesnt-support-square-bracket-model-name-variants/163905/8 "2026-07-26T04:01:50Z")

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