Subagent always use composer 1

Where does the bug appear (feature/product)?

Cursor IDE

Describe the Bug

I’m invoked the preconfigured subagent as specified in the prompt ,which designated the GPT-5.2 Codex model for its use;howerver,composer 1 is invariably used in actual operation.
My configuration of subagent is shown below:

name: executor-runner
model: gpt-5.2-codex
description: Execute implementation tasks and tool/script runs. Use when the user asks to implement features, modify code, run CLI tools/tests, or execute scripts.

Steps to Reproduce

Use /subagent to explicit call preconfigured subagent,which is designed use GPT-5.2 Codex model

Expected Behavior

The subagent use specified model to execute tasks

Screenshots / Screen Recordings

Operating System

Windows 10/11

Version Information

Version: 2.4.27 (system setup)
VSCode Version: 1.105.1
Commit: 4f2b772756b8f609e1354b3063de282ccbe7a690
Date: 2026-01-31T21:24:58.143Z
Build Type: Stable
Release Track: Default
Electron: 39.2.7
Chromium: 142.0.7444.235
Node.js: 22.21.1
V8: 14.2.231.21-electron.0
OS: Windows_NT x64 10.0.26200

For AI issues: which model did you use?

GPT-5.2 Codex

For AI issues: add Request ID with privacy disabled

13e7fd9d-45f8-4850-9c28-5ed118430a8e

Does this stop you from using Cursor

No - Cursor works, but with this issue

1 Like

Hey, thanks for the report. This is a known limitation with subagent models.

Can you check your plan type? Go to https://cursor.com/dashboard?tab=usage - if you see a “requests” counter (not dollar amounts), you’re on a request-based plan.

On request-based plans, subagents only use Composer 1 until you either:

  • Enable Max Mode (Settings > Features), or
  • Exhaust your included requests (switching to on-demand usage)

Once Max Mode is on or you’re on on-demand, your model: gpt-5.2-codex config should work.

Related thread with same issue: Subagent with `model: inherit` doesn't actually inherit parent model (uses composer-1 instead)

Let me know your plan type and Max Mode status.

Ah,i see,yes,i’m on a request-based plan.
I have no problem with this limitation,but it would be better if you could write it clearly in the document or provide tips in the relavant UI.

2 Likes

Hey @blue0830!

Our docs definitely reflect a previous state (Max-mode required for all subagents on request-based plans). Now, subagents are available, but limited to composer-1.

We’ll update the docs!

Hey @Colin , is this something you are looking to fix?

Using MAX mode with subagent consumed 86 requests, while using sonnet would normally consume 2. This is not feasible at all.

I just want to use subagents with sonnet model, why do we have to burn through included usage first? It doesn’t make much sense.

I have Max Mode enabled but my subagent is still using composer. why is this. Also my Included-Request Usage is not used up.