jackwener/OpenCLI · error · ArgumentError

${wantModel} model requires a paid Claude plan.

Error message

${wantModel} model requires a paid Claude plan.

What it means

selectModel() reported the requested model is gated behind a paid plan (modelResult.upgrade). The library converts that into an ArgumentError telling the user the chosen model (e.g. opus) requires a paid Claude subscription and suggesting sonnet or haiku instead.

Source

Thrown at clis/claude/ask.js:89

        // an existing conversation. Also avoid changing the user's current
        // UI selection unless --model was explicitly passed.
        const currentUrl = await page.evaluate('window.location.href') || '';
        const inConversation = currentUrl.includes('/chat/');
        const modelExplicit = kwargs.__opencliOptionSources?.model === 'cli';

        const wantModel = kwargs.model || 'sonnet';
        if (modelExplicit) {
            if (inConversation) {
                throw new ArgumentError(
                    `Cannot switch to ${wantModel} model inside an existing conversation.`,
                    'Re-run with --new to start a fresh chat before selecting a model.',
                );
            }

            const modelResult = await withRetry(() => selectModel(page, wantModel));
            if (!modelResult?.ok) {
                if (modelResult?.upgrade) {
                    throw new ArgumentError(
                        `${wantModel} model requires a paid Claude plan.`,
                        'Pick --model sonnet or --model haiku, or upgrade your account.',
                    );
                }
                throw new CommandExecutionError(`Could not switch to ${wantModel} model`);
            }
            // Post-toggle settle dropped — the next CDP eval (setAdaptiveThinking) gives
            // React enough time to flush aria-checked updates between rountrips.
        }

        const thinkResult = await withRetry(() => setAdaptiveThinking(page, wantThink));
        if (!thinkResult?.ok && wantThink) {
            throw new CommandExecutionError('Could not enable Adaptive thinking');
        }
        // Post-toggle settle dropped — the next CDP eval (sendMessage / sendWithFile)
        // gives React enough time to flush aria-checked updates.

        if (kwargs.file) {

View on GitHub (pinned to 49907e53dc)

Solutions

1. Use --model sonnet or --model haiku which are available on free plans.
2. Upgrade the Claude account to a paid plan that includes the requested model.
3. Check the account's plan/workspace settings if a paid plan should include the model.

Example fix

// before
opencli claude ask "hi" --model opus   # free plan
// after
opencli claude ask "hi" --model haiku

// Know your plan; default to free-tier models
const allowedModels = ['sonnet', 'haiku']; // free plan
if (opts.model && !allowedModels.includes(opts.model)) {
  console.warn(`model ${opts.model} needs a paid plan; falling back`);
  opts.model = 'sonnet';
}

try {
  await opencli.claude.ask(prompt, { model: 'opus' });
} catch (e) {
  if (/requires a paid Claude plan/.test(e.message)) {
    await opencli.claude.ask(prompt, { model: 'sonnet' });
  } else throw e;
}

When it happens

Trigger: Passing --model opus (or another premium model) on a free Claude account; selectModel detects the plan-gated state and returns {ok:false, upgrade:true} after withRetry.

Common situations: Free-tier account selecting opus; workspace with restricted plan settings; enterprise account where the chosen model is not provisioned.

Related errors

• File could not be read: ${path}
• PAID_CONTENT
• Cannot switch to ${wantModel} model inside an existing conve
• Model name "${rawName}" is ambiguous.
• ${result.reason}

AI-assisted analysis of jackwener/OpenCLI@49907e53dc (2026-08-29). Data as JSON: /api/errors/29b8f56e0568cbfb. Report an issue: GitHub.