# If Max mode is required for new models, why show options we can't use **URL:** \ **Category:** Feedback\ **Tags:** agents-window, max-mode, subagents\ **Created:** [May 29, 2026, 2:03am UTC](https://forum.cursor.com/t/if-max-mode-is-required-for-new-models-why-show-options-we-cant-use/161856 "2026-05-29T02:03:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![toheart](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/cursor1/user_avatar/forum.cursor.com/toheart/32/74731_2.png) [@toheart](https://forum.cursor.com/u/toheart)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 2:03am UTC](https://forum.cursor.com/t/if-max-mode-is-required-for-new-models-why-show-options-we-cant-use/161856/1 "2026-05-29T02:03:57Z")
**After 1.5 years with Cursor, I still don’t think you understand your own differentiation.** I’ve been using Cursor for a year and a half now, and I feel like the team still hasn’t figured out what truly differentiates Cursor from competitors. As an **aggregator with access to so many models** , it’s baffling that subagents can only be swapped in Max mode. When new models drop — like the latest ones — we literally can’t try them unless we’re on Max. If a model _requires_ a 1M-token context window, then **don’t show us the 300K and no-thinking options in the UI**. It’s misleading and frustrating. On the workflow side: I’ve spent significant time building my own **pipeline-based AI workflow** within Cursor. Meanwhile, subagent model selection remains locked down — and then Claude Code ships a similar “workflows” feature. **What exactly is Cursor’s moat going forward?** The Agent Windows experience in 3.x has also been rough. It wasn’t until **3.3** that the issue of being unable to view subagent activity in the Edit window was finally fixed. At this point, I genuinely wonder: **what do I still need Cursor for?** ---
**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:** [May 29, 2026, 12:21pm UTC](https://forum.cursor.com/t/if-max-mode-is-required-for-new-models-why-show-options-we-cant-use/161856/4 "2026-05-29T12:21:03Z")
Hey, thanks for the detailed feedback. There are a few different points here, so I’ll go through each one. On choosing the model for sub-agents: yep, right now it’s tied to Max mode, and I can see this is a pain point for more than just you. The same topic is being discussed in a few threads: - [Better subagent control in the Cursor IDE](https://forum.cursor.com/t/161413) - [Let us disable composer-2-fast, it's 3x the price and forced on subagents](https://forum.cursor.com/t/160795) - [Disabling subagents should actually disable Composer 2 usage legacy plan users should not be forced into Composer 2 Fast](https://forum.cursor.com/t/160636) - [Cursor CLI: can't choose model for subagents](https://forum.cursor.com/t/161628) The request to control the sub-agent model outside of Max makes sense, and I’ve passed it to the team. I can’t share an ETA. On the picker showing options that aren’t available, like 300K or no-thinking for models that need 1M context: agreed, that’s misleading. Those options shouldn’t show up if you can’t select them on your plan. This is a helpful, concrete report. On Agent Windows in 3.x: glad the sub-agent activity view in the Edit window was finally fixed in 3.3. If anything else in that flow still feels rough, please make a separate thread with steps and we’ll take a look. On differentiation and workflows: this is a more strategic topic, so I can’t answer on behalf of the product team, but the feedback is valuable and I’ll pass it along. Detailed posts like this from long-time users really help. ---
**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:** [August 27, 2026, 12:21pm UTC](https://forum.cursor.com/t/if-max-mode-is-required-for-new-models-why-show-options-we-cant-use/161856/5 "2026-08-27T12:21:57Z")
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