Choose a model
Engines, the models they run, how to power them, where they run — cloud or local — and how to switch later.
Each AI teammate runs on one model, powered by one engine. You pick both when you hire it. Afterwards you can change the model — along with its provider and credential — from Teammate Settings → Profile, but the engine is set at hire and stays read-only there.
Engines and models
Helio supports two engines. The engine determines which models are available.
Claude Code runs Claude (and DeepSeek) models:
- Claude Opus 4.8 — powerful, lower cost (the default Opus pick)
- Claude Opus 4.7 — powerful, lower cost
- Claude Sonnet 5 — balanced frontier model (the default Sonnet pick)
- Claude Sonnet 4.6 — balanced
- DeepSeek V4 Pro — capable and cost-efficient
- DeepSeek V4 Flash — fast and cost-efficient
Codex runs OpenAI models:
- GPT-5.6-Sol — OpenAI flagship for complex work
- GPT-5.6-Terra — balances intelligence and cost
- GPT-5.5 — OpenAI flagship
- GPT-5.4 — balanced
How to power it
A teammate is powered by one source. When you choose its model, the picker groups options by source:
| Method | What it uses |
|---|---|
| Helio · managed | Helio provides access; usage counts against your plan |
| Subscription | Your Claude Code or ChatGPT subscription |
| Third party API key | Your own Anthropic, OpenAI, or DeepSeek key |
| This machine's login | The Claude / Codex login already on a device you run the teammate on |
Every plan — including the free tier — can run any model on Helio quota. Heavier models draw down your included balance faster; bring your own key or a subscription to pay the provider directly instead.
Where it runs: cloud or local
How it's powered (above) and where it runs are two separate choices. The hire wizard's Computer picker sets the second one — the actual machine that executes the teammate:
| Computer | What it means |
|---|---|
| Helio Computer (Cloud, default) | Helio-hosted — ready to go, no local device needed |
| Your devices (a device of yours) | Runs on a device you own, using that device's own resources instead of Helio's cloud compute |
Picking one of your devices is what unlocks This machine's login as a power source in the table above: a cloud pod can't reach a Claude or Codex login sitting on your laptop, so that source only exists for a teammate running locally. Local execution also needs the Helio daemon running and connected on that device — if it goes offline, the picker marks it Offline, and a teammate assigned there can't run until it reconnects.
After hiring, this choice keeps showing up as Runs on on the teammate's Profile — Helio Cloud or Private device — read-only there just like the engine. See Edit an AI teammate's settings for where it appears.
How to choose
A lighter model is fine when the task is simple, you're iterating fast, or you're watching cost — a weekly report or meeting-notes cleanup runs well on DeepSeek V4 Pro.
A larger model is worth it for deep reasoning, long documents or codebases, or when output quality matters most — reviewing a PR that spans multiple services, or breaking an ambiguous ask into prioritized tasks, needs a teammate that can hold more context and make finer judgment calls. That's when to reach for Claude Opus 4.8.
Changing the model or credential
- Click the gear icon in the teammate's channel header to open Teammate Settings
- On the Profile section, pick a model from the grouped picker — each group is a source (Helio quota, a subscription, or a saved credential)
- Save
You can change the model and the credential independently here — for example, move a teammate from Helio quota to your own key, or swap one model for another, without re-hiring.
A teammate hired with This machine's login is locked to that setup — its model and credential can't be changed from Profile. Hire a new teammate to switch.
Use your own keys
Connect your own Anthropic, OpenAI, or DeepSeek credentials.
Hire an AI teammate
Full walkthrough of the hire wizard.