How do I choose the right AI model?
Learn how to choose an AI model by protocol, task type, quality, speed, context length, and cost. Includes setup steps, examples, and common fixes.
Short answer
Copy the exact Model ID from the model plaza.
Use https://bettertoken.ai for Claude Code and https://bettertoken.ai/v1 for Codex CLI and OpenAI-compatible tools. Choose the endpoint for the protocol your client uses.
When you need this
- You switch between Claude Code, Codex CLI, Cursor, Cline, or similar tools
- A model works, but it is too expensive, too slow, or has too little context
- You want a cheaper model for batch tasks
- You want to connect the same API gateway to several AI coding tools
Start with the tool, then choose the model
Use https://bettertoken.ai for Claude Code and https://bettertoken.ai/v1 for Codex CLI and OpenAI-compatible tools. Choose the endpoint for the protocol your client uses.
Claude Desktop supports only Claude models. This is a Claude Desktop client limitation.
| Tool | Base URL |
|---|---|
| Claude Code | https://bettertoken.ai |
| Claude Desktop | https://bettertoken.ai |
| Codex CLI / External tools | https://bettertoken.ai/v1 |
Choose by task type
| Task type | Prioritize |
|---|---|
| Complex coding, architecture, long-running tasks | Reasoning quality, context window, tool-call stability |
| Daily Q&A and light generation | Speed and cost |
| Batch translation, classification, summaries | Unit price, throughput, stability |
| Code review and technical documentation | Code understanding, long context, stable output |
| Exploratory tasks | Start with a mid-cost model, then switch to a stronger model for critical steps |
Do not send every task to the most expensive model by default. Many batch tasks do not need deep reasoning or high creativity. They are often better suited to faster and cheaper models.
Recommended workflow
- Confirm whether the tool supports an OpenAI-compatible or Anthropic-compatible API.
- Copy the current Model ID from the model plaza.
- Test quality, speed, and cost with a small task.
- Check usage in the dashboard before using that model long term.
- Keep a stronger backup model for complex tasks instead of configuring only one model.
Common mistakes
- Looking only at the display name and not confirming the Model ID.
- Assuming the newest model is always best for every task.
- Comparing only output quality while ignoring context length, speed, and cost.
- Moving production traffic to a new model without a small test first.
About BetterToken
Use https://bettertoken.ai for Claude Code and https://bettertoken.ai/v1 for Codex CLI and OpenAI-compatible tools. Choose the endpoint for the protocol your client uses.
Copy the exact Model ID from the model plaza.