feat(KB-184): add model presets for task creation

- Add model preset types and settings fields with API validation
- Create model preset utility helpers for size-based auto-selection
- Add settings UI for managing model presets (create, edit, delete)
- Integrate preset selection into NewTaskModal with custom override option
- Add inline preset selection to InlineCreateCard component
- Persist modelPresetId in task store and preserve through archive/unarchive
- Add changeset and update AGENTS.md with feature documentation

.changeset/add-model-presets.md

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+"@dustinbyrne/kb": minor
+---
+
+Add model presets for configurable AI model profiles. Users can define preset configurations like "Budget", "Normal", and "Complex" with pre-assigned executor and validator models. Tasks can reference presets instead of manual model selection. Includes auto-selection feature that assigns presets based on task size (S/M/L).

AGENTS.md

@@ -245,6 +245,37 @@ Controls how worktree directory names are generated when `recycleWorktrees` is N
 - Task branches are always named `kb/{task-id}` regardless of this setting
 - When using `"task-title"` mode, special characters are replaced with hyphens and the result is lowercased
 
+## Model Presets
+
+The kb dashboard supports reusable model presets so teams can standardize AI model choices without manually selecting executor and validator models for every task.
+
+### How It Works
+
+Each preset contains:
+- **ID** — stable slug used for storage and size mappings (for example `budget`, `normal`, `complex`)
+- **Name** — human-friendly label shown in the UI
+- **Executor model** — optional provider/model pair for task execution
+- **Validator model** — optional provider/model pair for code and spec review
+
+Task creation surfaces can apply a preset, which immediately resolves to concrete per-task model overrides. The selected preset ID is also stored on the task as `modelPresetId` for reference and future auditing.
+
+### Auto-Selection by Task Size
+
+Settings can optionally enable automatic preset recommendation by task size:
+- **Small (`S`)** → mapped preset ID
+- **Medium (`M`)** → mapped preset ID
+- **Large (`L`)** → mapped preset ID
+
+When enabled, task creation UIs can preselect the configured preset for the detected task size. If no mapping exists for a given size, kb falls back to normal default-model behavior.
+
+### Interaction with Per-Task Overrides
+
+Presets are an alternative to manual per-task model selection, not a replacement:
+- Selecting a preset fills in the task's executor and validator model overrides
+- Choosing **Custom** or manually overriding models breaks out of preset mode for that task creation flow
+- Existing per-task overrides on saved tasks continue to work as before
+- If a preset is later edited or deleted, already-created tasks keep their resolved model settings
+
 ## Per-Task Model Overrides
 
 The kb dashboard allows overriding the global AI model selection on a per-task basis. This enables using different models for different types of work without changing global settings.

packages/core/src/index.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 export { COLUMNS, COLUMN_LABELS, COLUMN_DESCRIPTIONS, VALID_TRANSITIONS, DEFAULT_SETTINGS, THINKING_LEVELS, THEME_MODES, COLOR_THEMES } from "./types.js";
-export type { Column, IssueInfo, IssueState, PrInfo, PrStatus, Task, TaskAttachment, TaskCreateInput, TaskDetail, AgentLogEntry, AgentLogType, AgentRole, BoardConfig, MergeResult, Settings, TaskStep, StepStatus, TaskLogEntry, ActivityLogEntry, ActivityEventType, ThinkingLevel, SteeringComment, ThemeMode, ColorTheme, PlanningQuestion, PlanningSummary, PlanningResponse, PlanningQuestionType, ArchivedTaskEntry, BatchStatusRequest, BatchStatusResponse, BatchStatusEntry, BatchStatusResult } from "./types.js";
+export type { Column, IssueInfo, IssueState, PrInfo, PrStatus, Task, TaskAttachment, TaskCreateInput, TaskDetail, AgentLogEntry, AgentLogType, AgentRole, BoardConfig, MergeResult, Settings, TaskStep, StepStatus, TaskLogEntry, ActivityLogEntry, ActivityEventType, ThinkingLevel, SteeringComment, ThemeMode, ColorTheme, PlanningQuestion, PlanningSummary, PlanningResponse, PlanningQuestionType, ArchivedTaskEntry, BatchStatusRequest, BatchStatusResponse, BatchStatusEntry, BatchStatusResult, ModelPreset } from "./types.js";
 export { TaskStore } from "./store.js";
 export { canTransition, getValidTransitions, resolveDependencyOrder } from "./board.js";
 export { 

packages/core/src/store.test.ts

@@ -121,6 +121,18 @@ describe("TaskStore", () => {
       expect(detail.breakIntoSubtasks).toBe(true);
     });
 
+    it("persists modelPresetId when provided during task creation", async () => {
+      const task = await store.createTask({
+        description: "Preset task",
+        modelPresetId: "budget",
+      });
+
+      expect(task.modelPresetId).toBe("budget");
+
+      const detail = await store.getTask(task.id);
+      expect(detail.modelPresetId).toBe("budget");
+    });
+
     it("leaves breakIntoSubtasks unset by default", async () => {
       const task = await store.createTask({
         description: "Regular task",

packages/core/src/store.ts

@@ -301,6 +301,7 @@ export class TaskStore extends EventEmitter<TaskStoreEvents> {
       column: input.column || "triage",
       dependencies: input.dependencies || [],
       breakIntoSubtasks: input.breakIntoSubtasks === true ? true : undefined,
+      modelPresetId: input.modelPresetId,
       modelProvider: input.modelProvider,
       modelId: input.modelId,
       validatorModelProvider: input.validatorModelProvider,
@@ -349,6 +350,7 @@ export class TaskStore extends EventEmitter<TaskStoreEvents> {
       title: sourceTask.title,
       description: `${sourceTask.description}\n\n(Duplicated from ${id})`,
       column: "triage",
+      modelPresetId: sourceTask.modelPresetId,
       dependencies: [], // Fresh task should have no dependencies
       steps: [], // Reset execution state
       currentStep: 0,
@@ -1053,6 +1055,7 @@ export class TaskStore extends EventEmitter<TaskStoreEvents> {
           updatedAt: task.updatedAt,
           columnMovedAt: task.columnMovedAt,
           archivedAt: task.columnMovedAt,
+          modelPresetId: task.modelPresetId,
           modelProvider: task.modelProvider,
           modelId: task.modelId,
           validatorModelProvider: task.validatorModelProvider,
@@ -1794,6 +1797,7 @@ export class TaskStore extends EventEmitter<TaskStoreEvents> {
       createdAt: entry.createdAt,
       updatedAt: new Date().toISOString(),
       columnMovedAt: entry.columnMovedAt,
+      modelPresetId: entry.modelPresetId,
       modelProvider: entry.modelProvider,
       modelId: entry.modelId,
       validatorModelProvider: entry.validatorModelProvider,

packages/core/src/types.ts

@@ -29,6 +29,15 @@ export type ColorTheme = (typeof COLOR_THEMES)[number];
 export type PrStatus = "open" | "closed" | "merged";
 export type MergeStrategy = "direct" | "pull-request";
 
+export interface ModelPreset {
+  id: string;
+  name: string;
+  executorProvider?: string;
+  executorModelId?: string;
+  validatorProvider?: string;
+  validatorModelId?: string;
+}
+
 export interface PrInfo {
   url: string;
   number: number;
@@ -166,6 +175,8 @@ export interface Task {
   log: TaskLogEntry[];
   size?: "S" | "M" | "L";
   reviewLevel?: number;
+  /** Model preset selected during task creation. Presets resolve to concrete model overrides at creation time. */
+  modelPresetId?: string;
   /** AI model provider override for the executor agent (e.g., "anthropic").
    *  Must be set together with `modelId`. When both model fields are undefined,
    *  the executor uses global settings defaults. */
@@ -205,6 +216,8 @@ export interface TaskCreateInput {
   column?: Column;
   dependencies?: string[];
   breakIntoSubtasks?: boolean;
+  /** Model preset selected during task creation. Presets resolve to concrete model overrides at creation time. */
+  modelPresetId?: string;
   /** AI model provider override for the executor agent (e.g., "anthropic").
    *  Must be set together with `modelId`. When both model fields are undefined,
    *  the executor uses global settings defaults. */
@@ -306,6 +319,12 @@ export interface Settings {
    *  Must be set together with `validatorProvider`. When both are undefined,
    *  falls back to `defaultProvider`/`defaultModelId`. */
   validatorModelId?: string;
+  /** Reusable model configuration presets for task creation. */
+  modelPresets?: ModelPreset[];
+  /** When true, task creation UIs automatically recommend/apply a preset based on task size. */
+  autoSelectModelPreset?: boolean;
+  /** Mapping of task sizes to preset IDs used for auto-selection during task creation. */
+  defaultPresetBySize?: { S?: string; M?: string; L?: string };
   /** Default thinking effort level for AI agent sessions.
    *  Controls how much reasoning effort the model uses — higher levels
    *  produce better results but cost more. When undefined, the engine
@@ -362,6 +381,9 @@ export const DEFAULT_SETTINGS: Settings = {
   planningModelId: undefined,
   validatorProvider: undefined,
   validatorModelId: undefined,
+  modelPresets: [],
+  autoSelectModelPreset: false,
+  defaultPresetBySize: {},
   defaultThinkingLevel: undefined,
   autoResolveConflicts: true,
   smartConflictResolution: true,
@@ -447,7 +469,8 @@ export interface ArchivedTaskEntry {
   columnMovedAt?: string;
   /** Timestamp when the task was archived to the log */
   archivedAt: string;
-  /** Optional: model override fields for executor and validator */
+  /** Optional: model preset and override fields for executor and validator */
+  modelPresetId?: string;
   modelProvider?: string;
   modelId?: string;
   validatorModelProvider?: string;

packages/dashboard/app/api.ts

@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@ export function createTask(input: TaskCreateInput): Promise<Task> {
     column,
     dependencies,
     breakIntoSubtasks,
+    modelPresetId,
     modelProvider,
     modelId,
     validatorModelProvider,
@@ -113,6 +114,7 @@ export function createTask(input: TaskCreateInput): Promise<Task> {
       column,
       dependencies,
       breakIntoSubtasks,
+      modelPresetId,
       modelProvider,
       modelId,
       validatorModelProvider,

packages/dashboard/app/components/InlineCreateCard.tsx

@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 import { useState, useCallback, useEffect, useRef } from "react";
-import { Brain, Link, Lightbulb, ListTree } from "lucide-react";
+import { Brain, Link, Lightbulb, ListTree, Zap } from "lucide-react";
-import type { Task, TaskCreateInput } from "@kb/core";
+import type { Task, TaskCreateInput, Settings } from "@kb/core";
 import type { ToastType } from "../hooks/useToast";
-import { fetchModels, uploadAttachment } from "../api";
+import { fetchModels, uploadAttachment, fetchSettings } from "../api";
 import type { ModelInfo } from "../api";
 import { CustomModelDropdown } from "./CustomModelDropdown";
+import { applyPresetToSelection } from "../utils/modelPresets";
 
 const ALLOWED_IMAGE_TYPES = ["image/png", "image/jpeg", "image/gif", "image/webp"];
 
@@ -68,6 +69,9 @@ export function InlineCreateCard({
   const [showDeps, setShowDeps] = useState(false);
   const [depSearch, setDepSearch] = useState("");
   const [showModels, setShowModels] = useState(false);
+  const [showPresets, setShowPresets] = useState(false);
+  const [settings, setSettings] = useState<Settings | null>(null);
+  const [selectedPresetId, setSelectedPresetId] = useState<string | undefined>(undefined);
   const [executorProvider, setExecutorProvider] = useState<string | undefined>(undefined);
   const [executorModelId, setExecutorModelId] = useState<string | undefined>(undefined);
   const [validatorProvider, setValidatorProvider] = useState<string | undefined>(undefined);
@@ -136,6 +140,18 @@ export function InlineCreateCard({
         }
       });
 
+    fetchSettings()
+      .then((nextSettings) => {
+        if (!cancelled) {
+          setSettings(nextSettings);
+        }
+      })
+      .catch(() => {
+        if (!cancelled) {
+          setSettings(null);
+        }
+      });
+
     return () => {
       cancelled = true;
     };
@@ -143,6 +159,8 @@ export function InlineCreateCard({
 
   const executorSelectionValue = getModelSelectionValue(executorProvider, executorModelId);
   const validatorSelectionValue = getModelSelectionValue(validatorProvider, validatorModelId);
+  const availablePresets = settings?.modelPresets || [];
+  const selectedPreset = availablePresets.find((preset) => preset.id === selectedPresetId);
 
   const hasExecutorOverride = Boolean(executorProvider && executorModelId);
   const hasValidatorOverride = Boolean(validatorProvider && validatorModelId);
@@ -172,7 +190,8 @@ export function InlineCreateCard({
         !hasExecutorOverride &&
         !hasValidatorOverride &&
         !showDeps &&
-        !showModels
+        !showModels &&
+        !showPresets
       ) {
         onCancel();
       }
@@ -187,6 +206,7 @@ export function InlineCreateCard({
     hasValidatorOverride,
     showDeps,
     showModels,
+    showPresets,
     onCancel,
   ]);
 
@@ -239,6 +259,7 @@ export function InlineCreateCard({
         description: description.trim(),
         column: "triage",
         dependencies: dependencies.length ? dependencies : undefined,
+        modelPresetId: selectedPresetId,
         modelProvider: hasExecutorOverride ? executorProvider : undefined,
         modelId: hasExecutorOverride ? executorModelId : undefined,
         validatorModelProvider: hasValidatorOverride ? validatorProvider : undefined,
@@ -264,6 +285,7 @@ export function InlineCreateCard({
       pendingImages.forEach((img) => URL.revokeObjectURL(img.previewUrl));
       setPendingImages([]);
 
+      setSelectedPresetId(undefined);
       addToast(`Created ${task.id}`, "success");
     } catch (err: any) {
       addToast(err.message, "error");
@@ -359,8 +381,10 @@ export function InlineCreateCard({
     setExecutorModelId(undefined);
     setValidatorProvider(undefined);
     setValidatorModelId(undefined);
+    setSelectedPresetId(undefined);
     setShowDeps(false);
     setShowModels(false);
+    setShowPresets(false);
   }, [description, onPlanningMode, addToast]);
 
   const handleSubtaskClick = useCallback(() => {
@@ -377,8 +401,10 @@ export function InlineCreateCard({
     setExecutorModelId(undefined);
     setValidatorProvider(undefined);
     setValidatorModelId(undefined);
+    setSelectedPresetId(undefined);
     setShowDeps(false);
     setShowModels(false);
+    setShowPresets(false);
   }, [description, onSubtaskBreakdown, addToast]);
 
   const truncate = (s: string, len: number) =>
@@ -478,6 +504,70 @@ export function InlineCreateCard({
           </div>
 
           <div className="inline-create-model-wrap">
+            <button
+              type="button"
+              className="btn btn-sm inline-create-model-trigger"
+              onClick={() => {
+                setShowPresets((prev) => {
+                  const next = !prev;
+                  if (next) {
+                    setShowDeps(false);
+                    setShowModels(false);
+                  }
+                  return next;
+                });
+              }}
+              aria-expanded={showPresets}
+              aria-haspopup="listbox"
+            >
+              <Zap size={12} style={{ verticalAlign: "middle" }} />
+              {selectedPreset ? ` ${selectedPreset.name}` : " Preset"}
+            </button>
+            {showPresets && (
+              <div className="inline-create-model-dropdown" onMouseDown={handleModelDropdownMouseDown}>
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className="btn btn-sm"
+                  onClick={() => {
+                    setSelectedPresetId(undefined);
+                    setExecutorProvider(undefined);
+                    setExecutorModelId(undefined);
+                    setValidatorProvider(undefined);
+                    setValidatorModelId(undefined);
+                    setShowPresets(false);
+                  }}
+                >
+                  Use default
+                </button>
+                {availablePresets.map((preset) => (
+                  <button
+                    key={preset.id}
+                    type="button"
+                    className="btn btn-sm"
+                    onClick={() => {
+                      const selection = applyPresetToSelection(preset);
+                      const executor = parseModelSelection(selection.executorValue);
+                      const validator = parseModelSelection(selection.validatorValue);
+                      setSelectedPresetId(preset.id);
+                      setExecutorProvider(executor.provider);
+                      setExecutorModelId(executor.modelId);
+                      setValidatorProvider(validator.provider);
+                      setValidatorModelId(validator.modelId);
+                      setShowPresets(false);
+                    }}
+                  >
+                    {preset.name}
+                  </button>
+                ))}
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className="btn btn-sm"
+                  onClick={() => setShowPresets(false)}
+                >
+                  Custom
+                </button>
+              </div>
+            )}
             <button
               type="button"
               className="btn btn-sm inline-create-model-trigger"
@@ -486,9 +576,11 @@ export function InlineCreateCard({
               aria-haspopup="dialog"
             >
               <Brain size={12} style={{ verticalAlign: "middle" }} />
-              {selectedModelCount > 0
+              {selectedPreset
-                ? ` ${selectedModelCount} model${selectedModelCount === 1 ? "" : "s"}`
+                ? ` ${selectedPreset.name} · ${selectedModelCount} model${selectedModelCount === 1 ? "" : "s"}`
-                : " Models"}
+                : selectedModelCount > 0
+                  ? ` ${selectedModelCount} model${selectedModelCount === 1 ? "" : "s"}`
+                  : " Models"}
             </button>
             {showModels && (
               <div

packages/dashboard/app/components/NewTaskModal.tsx

@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 import { useState, useCallback, useEffect, useRef, useMemo } from "react";
-import type { Task, TaskCreateInput } from "@kb/core";
+import type { Task, TaskCreateInput, ModelPreset, Settings } from "@kb/core";
 import type { ToastType } from "../hooks/useToast";
-import { uploadAttachment, fetchModels, updateTask } from "../api";
+import { uploadAttachment, fetchModels, fetchSettings } from "../api";
 import type { ModelInfo } from "../api";
 import { filterModels } from "../utils/modelFilter";
+import { applyPresetToSelection, getRecommendedPresetForSize } from "../utils/modelPresets";
 import { ProviderIcon } from "./ProviderIcon";
 
 const ALLOWED_IMAGE_TYPES = ["image/png", "image/jpeg", "image/gif", "image/webp"];
@@ -311,6 +312,9 @@ export function NewTaskModal({ isOpen, onClose, tasks, onCreateTask, addToast, o
   const [modelsLoading, setModelsLoading] = useState(false);
   const [executorModel, setExecutorModel] = useState("");
   const [validatorModel, setValidatorModel] = useState("");
+  const [settings, setSettings] = useState<Settings | null>(null);
+  const [selectedPresetId, setSelectedPresetId] = useState<string>("");
+  const [presetMode, setPresetMode] = useState<"default" | "preset" | "custom">("default");
   const [enablePlanningMode, setEnablePlanningMode] = useState(false);
   const [hasDirtyState, setHasDirtyState] = useState(false);
 
@@ -326,6 +330,9 @@ export function NewTaskModal({ isOpen, onClose, tasks, onCreateTask, addToast, o
         .then((models) => setAvailableModels(models))
         .catch(() => {/* silently fail - models just won't be available */})
         .finally(() => setModelsLoading(false));
+      fetchSettings()
+        .then((nextSettings) => setSettings(nextSettings))
+        .catch(() => setSettings(null));
     }
   }, [isOpen]);
 
@@ -341,6 +348,21 @@ export function NewTaskModal({ isOpen, onClose, tasks, onCreateTask, addToast, o
     setHasDirtyState(isDirty);
   }, [description, dependencies, pendingImages, executorModel, validatorModel, enablePlanningMode]);
 
+  const availablePresets = settings?.modelPresets || [];
+  const selectedPreset = availablePresets.find((preset) => preset.id === selectedPresetId);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!isOpen || !settings?.autoSelectModelPreset) return;
+    const recommended = getRecommendedPresetForSize(undefined, settings.defaultPresetBySize || {}, availablePresets);
+    if (recommended) {
+      const selection = applyPresetToSelection(recommended);
+      setSelectedPresetId(recommended.id);
+      setPresetMode("preset");
+      setExecutorModel(selection.executorValue);
+      setValidatorModel(selection.validatorValue);
+    }
+  }, [isOpen, settings, availablePresets]);
+
   // Auto-focus description textarea when modal opens
   useEffect(() => {
     if (isOpen) {
@@ -430,6 +452,8 @@ export function NewTaskModal({ isOpen, onClose, tasks, onCreateTask, addToast, o
     setDependencies([]);
     setExecutorModel("");
     setValidatorModel("");
+    setSelectedPresetId("");
+    setPresetMode("default");
     setEnablePlanningMode(false);
     setHasDirtyState(false);
     onClose();
@@ -452,6 +476,8 @@ export function NewTaskModal({ isOpen, onClose, tasks, onCreateTask, addToast, o
         setDependencies([]);
         setExecutorModel("");
         setValidatorModel("");
+        setSelectedPresetId("");
+        setPresetMode("default");
         setEnablePlanningMode(false);
         
         // Close modal and trigger planning mode
@@ -466,11 +492,19 @@ export function NewTaskModal({ isOpen, onClose, tasks, onCreateTask, addToast, o
     setIsSubmitting(true);
     try {
       // Create the base task
+      const executorSlashIdx = executorModel.indexOf("/");
+      const validatorSlashIdx = validatorModel.indexOf("/");
+
       const task = await onCreateTask({
         title: undefined,
         description: trimmedDesc,
         column: "triage",
         dependencies: dependencies.length ? dependencies : undefined,
+        modelPresetId: presetMode === "preset" ? selectedPresetId || undefined : undefined,
+        modelProvider: executorModel && executorSlashIdx !== -1 ? executorModel.slice(0, executorSlashIdx) : undefined,
+        modelId: executorModel && executorSlashIdx !== -1 ? executorModel.slice(executorSlashIdx + 1) : undefined,
+        validatorModelProvider: validatorModel && validatorSlashIdx !== -1 ? validatorModel.slice(0, validatorSlashIdx) : undefined,
+        validatorModelId: validatorModel && validatorSlashIdx !== -1 ? validatorModel.slice(validatorSlashIdx + 1) : undefined,
       });
 
       // Upload pending images as attachments
@@ -488,28 +522,6 @@ export function NewTaskModal({ isOpen, onClose, tasks, onCreateTask, addToast, o
         }
       }
 
-      // Update task with model settings if specified
-      const executorSlashIdx = executorModel.indexOf("/");
-      const validatorSlashIdx = validatorModel.indexOf("/");
-      
-      if (executorModel || validatorModel) {
-        const updates: Parameters<typeof updateTask>[1] = {};
-        
-        if (executorModel && executorSlashIdx !== -1) {
-          updates.modelProvider = executorModel.slice(0, executorSlashIdx);
-          updates.modelId = executorModel.slice(executorSlashIdx + 1);
-        }
-        
-        if (validatorModel && validatorSlashIdx !== -1) {
-          updates.validatorModelProvider = validatorModel.slice(0, validatorSlashIdx);
-          updates.validatorModelId = validatorModel.slice(validatorSlashIdx + 1);
-        }
-        
-        if (Object.keys(updates).length > 0) {
-          await updateTask(task.id, updates);
-        }
-      }
-
       // Clean up
       pendingImages.forEach((img) => URL.revokeObjectURL(img.previewUrl));
       setPendingImages([]);
@@ -517,6 +529,8 @@ export function NewTaskModal({ isOpen, onClose, tasks, onCreateTask, addToast, o
       setDependencies([]);
       setExecutorModel("");
       setValidatorModel("");
+      setSelectedPresetId("");
+      setPresetMode("default");
       setEnablePlanningMode(false);
 
       addToast(`Created ${task.id}`, "success");
@@ -663,15 +677,68 @@ export function NewTaskModal({ isOpen, onClose, tasks, onCreateTask, addToast, o
               <small>No models available. Configure authentication in Settings.</small>
             ) : (
               <>
+                <div className="model-select-row">
+                  <label htmlFor="model-preset" className="model-select-label">Preset</label>
+                  <select
+                    id="model-preset"
+                    value={presetMode === "preset" ? selectedPresetId : presetMode}
+                    onChange={(e) => {
+                      const value = e.target.value;
+                      if (value === "default") {
+                        setPresetMode("default");
+                        setSelectedPresetId("");
+                        setExecutorModel("");
+                        setValidatorModel("");
+                        return;
+                      }
+                      if (value === "custom") {
+                        setPresetMode("custom");
+                        setSelectedPresetId("");
+                        return;
+                      }
+                      const preset = availablePresets.find((entry) => entry.id === value);
+                      const selection = applyPresetToSelection(preset);
+                      setPresetMode("preset");
+                      setSelectedPresetId(value);
+                      setExecutorModel(selection.executorValue);
+                      setValidatorModel(selection.validatorValue);
+                    }}
+                    disabled={isSubmitting}
+                  >
+                    <option value="default">Use default</option>
+                    {availablePresets.length > 0 ? <option disabled>──────────</option> : null}
+                    {availablePresets.map((preset) => (
+                      <option key={preset.id} value={preset.id}>{preset.name}</option>
+                    ))}
+                    <option value="custom">Custom</option>
+                  </select>
+                </div>
+                {presetMode === "preset" && selectedPreset ? (
+                  <small>Using preset: {selectedPreset.name}</small>
+                ) : null}
+                {presetMode === "preset" ? (
+                  <button
+                    type="button"
+                    className="btn btn-sm"
+                    onClick={() => setPresetMode("custom")}
+                    disabled={isSubmitting}
+                  >
+                    Override
+                  </button>
+                ) : null}
                 <div className="model-select-row">
                   <label htmlFor="executor-model" className="model-select-label">Executor</label>
                   <ModelCombobox
                     id="executor-model"
                     label="Executor Model"
                     value={executorModel}
-                    onChange={setExecutorModel}
+                    onChange={(value) => {
+                      setPresetMode("custom");
+                      setSelectedPresetId("");
+                      setExecutorModel(value);
+                    }}
                     models={availableModels}
-                    disabled={isSubmitting}
+                    disabled={isSubmitting || presetMode === "preset"}
                   />
                 </div>
                 <div className="model-select-row">
@@ -680,9 +747,13 @@ export function NewTaskModal({ isOpen, onClose, tasks, onCreateTask, addToast, o
                     id="validator-model"
                     label="Validator Model"
                     value={validatorModel}
-                    onChange={setValidatorModel}
+                    onChange={(value) => {
+                      setPresetMode("custom");
+                      setSelectedPresetId("");
+                      setValidatorModel(value);
+                    }}
                     models={availableModels}
-                    disabled={isSubmitting}
+                    disabled={isSubmitting || presetMode === "preset"}
                   />
                 </div>
               </>

packages/dashboard/app/components/SettingsModal.tsx

@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 import { useState, useEffect, useCallback, useRef } from "react";
 import { THINKING_LEVELS } from "@kb/core";
-import type { Settings, ThemeMode, ColorTheme } from "@kb/core";
+import type { Settings, ThemeMode, ColorTheme, ModelPreset } from "@kb/core";
 import { fetchSettings, updateSettings, fetchAuthStatus, loginProvider, logoutProvider, fetchModels, testNtfyNotification } from "../api";
 import type { AuthProvider, ModelInfo } from "../api";
 import type { ToastType } from "../hooks/useToast";
 import { ThemeSelector } from "./ThemeSelector";
 import { CustomModelDropdown } from "./CustomModelDropdown";
+import { applyPresetToSelection, generatePresetId, validatePresetId } from "../utils/modelPresets";
 
 /**
  * Settings sections configuration.
@@ -29,6 +30,7 @@ import { CustomModelDropdown } from "./CustomModelDropdown";
 const SETTINGS_SECTIONS = [
   { id: "general", label: "General" },
   { id: "model", label: "Model" },
+  { id: "model-presets", label: "Model Presets" },
   { id: "appearance", label: "Appearance" },
   { id: "scheduling", label: "Scheduling" },
   { id: "worktrees", label: "Worktrees" },
@@ -81,6 +83,9 @@ export function SettingsModal({
 
   // Test notification state
   const [testNotificationLoading, setTestNotificationLoading] = useState(false);
+  const [editingPresetId, setEditingPresetId] = useState<string | null>(null);
+  const [presetDraft, setPresetDraft] = useState<ModelPreset | null>(null);
+  const [presetIdTouched, setPresetIdTouched] = useState(false);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     fetchSettings()
@@ -208,7 +213,7 @@ export function SettingsModal({
   );
 
   const handleSave = useCallback(async () => {
-    if (prefixError) return;
+    if (prefixError || presetDraft) return;
     try {
       const payload = {
         ...form,
@@ -223,6 +228,44 @@ export function SettingsModal({
     }
   }, [form, prefixError, onClose, addToast]);
 
+  const savePresetDraft = () => {
+    if (!presetDraft) return;
+
+    const nextId = presetDraft.id.trim();
+    const nextName = presetDraft.name.trim();
+    if (!nextName || !nextId || !validatePresetId(nextId)) {
+      addToast("Preset name is required and ID must be 1–32 letters, numbers, hyphens, or underscores", "error");
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const presets = form.modelPresets || [];
+    if (presets.some((preset) => preset.id === nextId && preset.id !== editingPresetId)) {
+      addToast("Preset ID must be unique", "error");
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const normalizedDraft: ModelPreset = {
+      id: nextId,
+      name: nextName,
+      executorProvider: presetDraft.executorProvider,
+      executorModelId: presetDraft.executorModelId,
+      validatorProvider: presetDraft.validatorProvider,
+      validatorModelId: presetDraft.validatorModelId,
+    };
+
+    setForm((current) => {
+      const existing = current.modelPresets || [];
+      const nextPresets = editingPresetId
+        ? existing.map((preset) => (preset.id === editingPresetId ? normalizedDraft : preset))
+        : [...existing, normalizedDraft];
+      return { ...current, modelPresets: nextPresets };
+    });
+
+    setEditingPresetId(null);
+    setPresetDraft(null);
+    setPresetIdTouched(false);
+  };
+
   const renderSectionFields = () => {
     switch (activeSection) {
       case "general":
@@ -387,6 +430,223 @@ export function SettingsModal({
           </>
         );
       }
+      case "model-presets": {
+        const presets = form.modelPresets || [];
+        const presetOptions = presets.map((preset) => ({ id: preset.id, name: preset.name }));
+        const inUsePresetIds = new Set(Object.values(form.defaultPresetBySize || {}).filter(Boolean));
+
+        return (
+          <>
+            <h4 className="settings-section-heading">Model Presets</h4>
+            <div className="form-group">
+              <label>Configured presets</label>
+              {presets.length === 0 ? (
+                <div className="settings-empty-state settings-muted">No presets configured yet.</div>
+              ) : (
+                <div className="settings-preset-list">
+                  {presets.map((preset) => {
+                    const selection = applyPresetToSelection(preset);
+                    const summary = `${selection.executorValue || "default"} / ${selection.validatorValue || "default"}`;
+                    return (
+                      <div key={preset.id} className="auth-provider-row">
+                        <div className="auth-provider-info">
+                          <strong>{preset.name}</strong>
+                          <span className="settings-muted">{summary}</span>
+                        </div>
+                        <div>
+                          <button
+                            type="button"
+                            className="btn btn-sm"
+                            onClick={() => {
+                              setEditingPresetId(preset.id);
+                              setPresetDraft({ ...preset });
+                              setPresetIdTouched(true);
+                            }}
+                          >
+                            Edit
+                          </button>
+                          <button
+                            type="button"
+                            className="btn btn-sm"
+                            onClick={() => {
+                              if (inUsePresetIds.has(preset.id) && !confirm(`Preset \"${preset.name}\" is used in auto-selection. Delete it anyway?`)) {
+                                return;
+                              }
+                              setForm((current) => ({
+                                ...current,
+                                modelPresets: (current.modelPresets || []).filter((entry) => entry.id !== preset.id),
+                                defaultPresetBySize: Object.fromEntries(
+                                  Object.entries(current.defaultPresetBySize || {}).filter(([, value]) => value !== preset.id),
+                                ) as Settings["defaultPresetBySize"],
+                              }));
+                              if (editingPresetId === preset.id) {
+                                setEditingPresetId(null);
+                                setPresetDraft(null);
+                                setPresetIdTouched(false);
+                              }
+                            }}
+                          >
+                            Delete
+                          </button>
+                        </div>
+                      </div>
+                    );
+                  })}
+                </div>
+              )}
+              {!presetDraft ? (
+                <button
+                  type="button"
+                  className="btn btn-sm"
+                  onClick={() => {
+                    setEditingPresetId(null);
+                    setPresetDraft({ id: "", name: "", executorProvider: undefined, executorModelId: undefined, validatorProvider: undefined, validatorModelId: undefined });
+                    setPresetIdTouched(false);
+                  }}
+                >
+                  Add Preset
+                </button>
+              ) : null}
+            </div>
+
+            {presetDraft ? (
+              <div className="form-group">
+                <label>Preset editor</label>
+                <div className="form-group">
+                  <label htmlFor="preset-name">Name</label>
+                  <input
+                    id="preset-name"
+                    type="text"
+                    value={presetDraft.name}
+                    onChange={(e) => {
+                      const name = e.target.value;
+                      setPresetDraft((current) => current ? {
+                        ...current,
+                        name,
+                        id: presetIdTouched ? current.id : generatePresetId(name),
+                      } : current);
+                    }}
+                  />
+                </div>
+                <div className="form-group">
+                  <label htmlFor="preset-id">ID</label>
+                  <input
+                    id="preset-id"
+                    type="text"
+                    value={presetDraft.id}
+                    onChange={(e) => {
+                      setPresetIdTouched(true);
+                      setPresetDraft((current) => current ? { ...current, id: e.target.value } : current);
+                    }}
+                  />
+                  {presetDraft.id && !validatePresetId(presetDraft.id) ? (
+                    <small className="field-error">ID must be 1–32 letters, numbers, hyphens, or underscores</small>
+                  ) : (
+                    <small>Slug-friendly unique identifier used for preset mappings.</small>
+                  )}
+                </div>
+                {availableModels.length === 0 ? (
+                  <small>No models available. Configure authentication first.</small>
+                ) : (
+                  <>
+                    <div className="form-group">
+                      <label htmlFor="preset-executor-model">Executor model</label>
+                      <CustomModelDropdown
+                        id="preset-executor-model"
+                        label="Preset executor model"
+                        models={availableModels}
+                        value={presetDraft.executorProvider && presetDraft.executorModelId ? `${presetDraft.executorProvider}/${presetDraft.executorModelId}` : ""}
+                        onChange={(val) => {
+                          if (!val) {
+                            setPresetDraft((current) => current ? { ...current, executorProvider: undefined, executorModelId: undefined } : current);
+                            return;
+                          }
+                          const slashIdx = val.indexOf("/");
+                          setPresetDraft((current) => current ? {
+                            ...current,
+                            executorProvider: val.slice(0, slashIdx),
+                            executorModelId: val.slice(slashIdx + 1),
+                          } : current);
+                        }}
+                        placeholder="Use default"
+                      />
+                    </div>
+                    <div className="form-group">
+                      <label htmlFor="preset-validator-model">Validator model</label>
+                      <CustomModelDropdown
+                        id="preset-validator-model"
+                        label="Preset validator model"
+                        models={availableModels}
+                        value={presetDraft.validatorProvider && presetDraft.validatorModelId ? `${presetDraft.validatorProvider}/${presetDraft.validatorModelId}` : ""}
+                        onChange={(val) => {
+                          if (!val) {
+                            setPresetDraft((current) => current ? { ...current, validatorProvider: undefined, validatorModelId: undefined } : current);
+                            return;
+                          }
+                          const slashIdx = val.indexOf("/");
+                          setPresetDraft((current) => current ? {
+                            ...current,
+                            validatorProvider: val.slice(0, slashIdx),
+                            validatorModelId: val.slice(slashIdx + 1),
+                          } : current);
+                        }}
+                        placeholder="Use default"
+                      />
+                    </div>
+                  </>
+                )}
+                <div className="modal-actions" style={{ justifyContent: "flex-start" }}>
+                  <button type="button" className="btn btn-primary btn-sm" onClick={savePresetDraft}>Save preset</button>
+                  <button type="button" className="btn btn-sm" onClick={() => { setEditingPresetId(null); setPresetDraft(null); setPresetIdTouched(false); }}>Cancel</button>
+                </div>
+              </div>
+            ) : null}
+
+            <div className="form-group">
+              <label htmlFor="autoSelectModelPreset" className="checkbox-label">
+                <input
+                  id="autoSelectModelPreset"
+                  type="checkbox"
+                  checked={form.autoSelectModelPreset || false}
+                  onChange={(e) => setForm((current) => ({ ...current, autoSelectModelPreset: e.target.checked }))}
+                />
+                Auto-select preset based on task size
+              </label>
+            </div>
+
+            {form.autoSelectModelPreset ? (
+              <>
+                {(["S", "M", "L"] as const).map((sizeKey) => (
+                  <div className="form-group" key={sizeKey}>
+                    <label htmlFor={`preset-size-${sizeKey}`}>
+                      {sizeKey === "S" ? "Small tasks (S):" : sizeKey === "M" ? "Medium tasks (M):" : "Large tasks (L):"}
+                    </label>
+                    <select
+                      id={`preset-size-${sizeKey}`}
+                      value={form.defaultPresetBySize?.[sizeKey] || ""}
+                      onChange={(e) => {
+                        const value = e.target.value || undefined;
+                        setForm((current) => ({
+                          ...current,
+                          defaultPresetBySize: {
+                            ...(current.defaultPresetBySize || {}),
+                            [sizeKey]: value,
+                          },
+                        }));
+                      }}
+                    >
+                      <option value="">No preset</option>
+                      {presetOptions.map((preset) => (
+                        <option key={preset.id} value={preset.id}>{preset.name}</option>
+                      ))}
+                    </select>
+                  </div>
+                ))}
+              </>
+            ) : null}
+          </>
+        );
+      }
       case "appearance":
         return (
           <>

packages/dashboard/app/components/__tests__/InlineCreateCard.test.tsx

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from "vitest";
 import { render, screen, fireEvent, waitFor } from "@testing-library/react";
 import { InlineCreateCard } from "../InlineCreateCard";
 import type { Task, Column } from "@kb/core";
-import { fetchModels } from "../../api";
+import { fetchModels, fetchSettings } from "../../api";
 import type { ModelInfo } from "../../api";
 
 // Mock lucide-react
@@ -16,11 +16,17 @@ vi.mock("lucide-react", () => ({
   Terminal: () => null,
   Lightbulb: () => null,
   ListTree: () => null,
+  Zap: () => null,
 }));
 
 // Mock the api module
 vi.mock("../../api", () => ({
   fetchModels: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
+  fetchSettings: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+    modelPresets: [],
+    autoSelectModelPreset: false,
+    defaultPresetBySize: {},
+  }),
   uploadAttachment: vi.fn(),
 }));
 
@@ -85,6 +91,11 @@ function chooseModel(label: "Executor Model" | "Validator Model", optionText: st
 beforeEach(() => {
   vi.clearAllMocks();
   vi.mocked(fetchModels).mockResolvedValue(MOCK_MODELS);
+  vi.mocked(fetchSettings).mockResolvedValue({
+    modelPresets: [],
+    autoSelectModelPreset: false,
+    defaultPresetBySize: {},
+  });
 });
 
 describe("InlineCreateCard blur-to-cancel", () => {
@@ -266,6 +277,48 @@ describe("InlineCreateCard model selector", () => {
     expect(props.onCancel).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
+  it("does NOT call onCancel when focus leaves while the preset dropdown is open", () => {
+    vi.mocked(fetchSettings).mockResolvedValueOnce({
+      modelPresets: [{ id: "budget", name: "Budget", executorProvider: "anthropic", executorModelId: "claude-sonnet-4-5" }],
+      autoSelectModelPreset: false,
+      defaultPresetBySize: {},
+    });
+    const { props } = renderCard();
+    const textarea = screen.getByPlaceholderText("What needs to be done?");
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /Preset/i }));
+    textarea.focus();
+    fireEvent.focusOut(textarea, { relatedTarget: null });
+
+    expect(props.onCancel).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+  });
+
+  it("includes selected preset id in the submit payload", async () => {
+    vi.mocked(fetchSettings).mockResolvedValueOnce({
+      modelPresets: [{ id: "budget", name: "Budget", executorProvider: "anthropic", executorModelId: "claude-sonnet-4-5", validatorProvider: "openai", validatorModelId: "gpt-4o" }],
+      autoSelectModelPreset: false,
+      defaultPresetBySize: {},
+    });
+    const { props } = renderCard();
+    const textarea = screen.getByPlaceholderText("What needs to be done?");
+
+    fireEvent.change(textarea, { target: { value: "Task with preset" } });
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /Preset/i }));
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Budget" }));
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /Save/i }));
+
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(props.onSubmit).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.objectContaining({
+        description: "Task with preset",
+        modelPresetId: "budget",
+        modelProvider: "anthropic",
+        modelId: "claude-sonnet-4-5",
+        validatorModelProvider: "openai",
+        validatorModelId: "gpt-4o",
+      }));
+    });
+  });
+
   it("does NOT call onCancel after a model override is selected and focus leaves the card", () => {
     const { props } = renderCard();
     const textarea = screen.getByPlaceholderText("What needs to be done?");

packages/dashboard/app/components/__tests__/NewTaskModal.test.tsx

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from "vitest";
 import { render, screen, fireEvent, waitFor } from "@testing-library/react";
 import { NewTaskModal } from "../NewTaskModal";
 import type { Task, Column } from "@kb/core";
+import { fetchSettings } from "../../api";
 
 // Mock the api module
 vi.mock("../../api", () => ({
@@ -10,7 +11,11 @@ vi.mock("../../api", () => ({
     { provider: "anthropic", id: "claude-sonnet-4-5", name: "Claude Sonnet 4.5", reasoning: true, contextWindow: 200000 },
     { provider: "openai", id: "gpt-4o", name: "GPT-4o", reasoning: false, contextWindow: 128000 },
   ]),
-  updateTask: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({}),
+  fetchSettings: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue({
+    modelPresets: [],
+    autoSelectModelPreset: false,
+    defaultPresetBySize: {},
+  }),
 }));
 
 function makeTask(id: string): Task {
@@ -196,6 +201,67 @@ describe("NewTaskModal", () => {
     });
   });
 
+  it("creates task with selected preset id and resolved models", async () => {
+    (fetchSettings as ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>).mockResolvedValueOnce({
+      modelPresets: [
+        {
+          id: "budget",
+          name: "Budget",
+          executorProvider: "openai",
+          executorModelId: "gpt-4o",
+          validatorProvider: "anthropic",
+          validatorModelId: "claude-sonnet-4-5",
+        },
+      ],
+      autoSelectModelPreset: false,
+      defaultPresetBySize: {},
+    });
+
+    const { props } = renderNewTaskModal();
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByLabelText(/Description/i), { target: { value: "Preset task" } });
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByLabelText("Preset")).toBeTruthy());
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByLabelText("Preset"), { target: { value: "budget" } });
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Create Task" }));
+
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(props.onCreateTask).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.objectContaining({
+        description: "Preset task",
+        modelPresetId: "budget",
+        modelProvider: "openai",
+        modelId: "gpt-4o",
+        validatorModelProvider: "anthropic",
+        validatorModelId: "claude-sonnet-4-5",
+      }));
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("allows overriding a selected preset with custom models", async () => {
+    (fetchSettings as ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>).mockResolvedValueOnce({
+      modelPresets: [
+        {
+          id: "budget",
+          name: "Budget",
+          executorProvider: "openai",
+          executorModelId: "gpt-4o",
+        },
+      ],
+      autoSelectModelPreset: false,
+      defaultPresetBySize: {},
+    });
+
+    renderNewTaskModal();
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByLabelText("Preset")).toBeTruthy());
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByLabelText("Preset"), { target: { value: "budget" } });
+    expect(screen.getByText("Using preset: Budget")).toBeTruthy();
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Override" }));
+    expect(screen.queryByText("Using preset: Budget")).toBeNull();
+
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByLabelText("Preset"), { target: { value: "custom" } });
+    expect((screen.getByLabelText("Preset") as HTMLSelectElement).value).toBe("custom");
+  });
+
   it("toggles planning mode checkbox", () => {
     renderNewTaskModal();
     

packages/dashboard/app/components/__tests__/SettingsModal.test.tsx

@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ const defaultSettings: Settings = {
   buildCommand: "",
   autoResolveConflicts: true,
   smartConflictResolution: true,
+  modelPresets: [],
+  autoSelectModelPreset: false,
+  defaultPresetBySize: {},
   ntfyEnabled: false,
   ntfyTopic: undefined,
   taskStuckTimeoutMs: undefined,
@@ -373,6 +376,55 @@ describe("SettingsModal", () => {
     expect(screen.getAllByText("Model").length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(1);
   });
 
+  it("supports creating and saving a model preset", async () => {
+    const user = userEvent.setup();
+    render(<SettingsModal onClose={onClose} addToast={addToast} />);
+    await waitFor(() => expect(fetchSettings).toHaveBeenCalled());
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByText("Model Presets"));
+    await user.click(screen.getByText("Add Preset"));
+
+    await user.type(screen.getByLabelText("Name"), "Budget");
+    expect((screen.getByLabelText("ID") as HTMLInputElement).value).toBe("budget");
+
+    await user.click(screen.getByText("Save preset"));
+    await user.click(screen.getByText("Save"));
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(updateSettings).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1));
+    const payload = (updateSettings as ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>).mock.calls[0][0];
+    expect(payload.modelPresets).toEqual([
+      expect.objectContaining({ id: "budget", name: "Budget" }),
+    ]);
+  });
+
+  it("supports auto-select preset mappings by size", async () => {
+    const user = userEvent.setup();
+    (fetchSettings as ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>).mockResolvedValueOnce({
+      ...defaultSettings,
+      modelPresets: [
+        { id: "budget", name: "Budget" },
+        { id: "normal", name: "Normal" },
+        { id: "complex", name: "Complex" },
+      ],
+    });
+
+    render(<SettingsModal onClose={onClose} addToast={addToast} />);
+    await waitFor(() => expect(fetchSettings).toHaveBeenCalled());
+
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByText("Model Presets"));
+    await user.click(screen.getByLabelText("Auto-select preset based on task size"));
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByLabelText("Small tasks (S):"), { target: { value: "budget" } });
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByLabelText("Medium tasks (M):"), { target: { value: "normal" } });
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByLabelText("Large tasks (L):"), { target: { value: "complex" } });
+
+    await user.click(screen.getByText("Save"));
+
+    await waitFor(() => expect(updateSettings).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1));
+    const payload = (updateSettings as ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>).mock.calls[0][0];
+    expect(payload.autoSelectModelPreset).toBe(true);
+    expect(payload.defaultPresetBySize).toEqual({ S: "budget", M: "normal", L: "complex" });
+  });
+
   it("shows model selector with available models grouped by provider", async () => {
     const user = userEvent.setup();
     render(<SettingsModal onClose={onClose} addToast={addToast} />);

packages/dashboard/app/utils/modelPresets.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import type { ModelPreset } from "@kb/core";
+import {
+  applyPresetToSelection,
+  generatePresetId,
+  getPresetByName,
+  getRecommendedPresetForSize,
+  validatePresetId,
+} from "./modelPresets";
+
+const presets: ModelPreset[] = [
+  {
+    id: "budget",
+    name: "Budget",
+    executorProvider: "openai",
+    executorModelId: "gpt-4o-mini",
+    validatorProvider: "openai",
+    validatorModelId: "gpt-4o-mini",
+  },
+  {
+    id: "complex",
+    name: "Complex",
+    executorProvider: "anthropic",
+    executorModelId: "claude-sonnet-4-5",
+  },
+];
+
+describe("modelPresets utils", () => {
+  it("finds presets by case-insensitive display name", () => {
+    expect(getPresetByName(presets, "budget")).toEqual(presets[0]);
+    expect(getPresetByName(presets, "  COMPLEX ")).toEqual(presets[1]);
+    expect(getPresetByName(presets, "missing")).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("applies a preset to dropdown selection values", () => {
+    expect(applyPresetToSelection(presets[0])).toEqual({
+      executorValue: "openai/gpt-4o-mini",
+      validatorValue: "openai/gpt-4o-mini",
+    });
+    expect(applyPresetToSelection(undefined)).toEqual({
+      executorValue: "",
+      validatorValue: "",
+    });
+  });
+
+  it("recommends the mapped preset for a task size", () => {
+    expect(
+      getRecommendedPresetForSize("S", { S: "budget", M: "complex" }, presets),
+    ).toEqual(presets[0]);
+    expect(
+      getRecommendedPresetForSize("L", { S: "budget", M: "complex" }, presets),
+    ).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(getRecommendedPresetForSize(undefined, { S: "budget" }, presets)).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("validates preset ids", () => {
+    expect(validatePresetId("budget")).toBe(true);
+    expect(validatePresetId("budget_v2")).toBe(true);
+    expect(validatePresetId("budget-v2")).toBe(true);
+    expect(validatePresetId("")).toBe(false);
+    expect(validatePresetId("has spaces")).toBe(false);
+    expect(validatePresetId("invalid!char")).toBe(false);
+    expect(validatePresetId("a".repeat(33))).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it("generates slug-friendly preset ids", () => {
+    expect(generatePresetId("Budget")).toBe("budget");
+    expect(generatePresetId("  Normal Mode  ")).toBe("normal-mode");
+    expect(generatePresetId("Complex / Reviewer")).toBe("complex-reviewer");
+    expect(generatePresetId("!!!")).toBe("preset");
+    expect(generatePresetId("a".repeat(40))).toBe("a".repeat(32));
+  });
+});

packages/dashboard/app/utils/modelPresets.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+import type { ModelPreset } from "@kb/core";
+
+export function getPresetByName(presets: ModelPreset[], name: string): ModelPreset | undefined {
+  const normalizedName = name.trim().toLowerCase();
+  return presets.find((preset) => preset.name.trim().toLowerCase() === normalizedName);
+}
+
+export function applyPresetToSelection(preset: ModelPreset | undefined): {
+  executorValue: string;
+  validatorValue: string;
+} {
+  return {
+    executorValue: preset?.executorProvider && preset?.executorModelId
+      ? `${preset.executorProvider}/${preset.executorModelId}`
+      : "",
+    validatorValue: preset?.validatorProvider && preset?.validatorModelId
+      ? `${preset.validatorProvider}/${preset.validatorModelId}`
+      : "",
+  };
+}
+
+export function getRecommendedPresetForSize(
+  size: "S" | "M" | "L" | undefined,
+  defaultPresetBySize: Record<string, string>,
+  presets: ModelPreset[],
+): ModelPreset | undefined {
+  if (!size) return undefined;
+  const presetId = defaultPresetBySize[size];
+  if (!presetId) return undefined;
+  return presets.find((preset) => preset.id === presetId);
+}
+
+export function validatePresetId(id: string): boolean {
+  return /^[A-Za-z0-9_-]{1,32}$/.test(id);
+}
+
+export function generatePresetId(name: string): string {
+  const slug = name
+    .trim()
+    .toLowerCase()
+    .replace(/[^a-z0-9_-]+/g, "-")
+    .replace(/-+/g, "-")
+    .replace(/^[-_]+|[-_]+$/g, "")
+    .slice(0, 32);
+
+  return slug || "preset";
+}

packages/dashboard/src/routes.test.ts

@@ -4440,6 +4440,53 @@ describe("PUT /settings", () => {
     expect(store.updateSettings).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ maxWorktrees: 10 });
   });
 
+  it("validates and forwards model presets", async () => {
+    const updatedSettings = {
+      ...DEFAULT_SETTINGS,
+      modelPresets: [{ id: "budget", name: "Budget", executorProvider: "openai", executorModelId: "gpt-4o-mini" }],
+    };
+    (store.updateSettings as ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>).mockResolvedValue(updatedSettings);
+
+    const res = await REQUEST(
+      buildApp(),
+      "PUT",
+      "/api/settings",
+      JSON.stringify({ modelPresets: [{ id: "budget", name: "Budget", executorProvider: "openai", executorModelId: "gpt-4o-mini" }] }),
+      { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+    );
+
+    expect(res.status).toBe(200);
+    expect(store.updateSettings).toHaveBeenCalledWith(expect.objectContaining({
+      modelPresets: [{ id: "budget", name: "Budget", executorProvider: "openai", executorModelId: "gpt-4o-mini", validatorProvider: undefined, validatorModelId: undefined }],
+    }));
+  });
+
+  it("rejects duplicate preset ids", async () => {
+    const res = await REQUEST(
+      buildApp(),
+      "PUT",
+      "/api/settings",
+      JSON.stringify({ modelPresets: [{ id: "budget", name: "Budget" }, { id: "budget", name: "Budget 2" }] }),
+      { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+    );
+
+    expect(res.status).toBe(400);
+    expect(res.body.error).toContain("duplicate id");
+  });
+
+  it("rejects incomplete model provider/modelId pairs", async () => {
+    const res = await REQUEST(
+      buildApp(),
+      "PUT",
+      "/api/settings",
+      JSON.stringify({ modelPresets: [{ id: "budget", name: "Budget", executorProvider: "openai" }] }),
+      { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+    );
+
+    expect(res.status).toBe(400);
+    expect(res.body.error).toContain("must include both provider and modelId or neither");
+  });
+
   it("returns 500 on store update error", async () => {
     (store.updateSettings as ReturnType<typeof vi.fn>).mockRejectedValue(new Error("Write failed"));
 

packages/dashboard/src/routes.ts

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { Router, type Request, type Response, type NextFunction } from "express"
 import multer from "multer";
 import { createReadStream, existsSync } from "node:fs";
 import { execSync } from "node:child_process";
-import type { TaskStore, Column, MergeResult, ScheduleType, ActivityEventType } from "@kb/core";
+import type { TaskStore, Column, MergeResult, ScheduleType, ActivityEventType, ModelPreset } from "@kb/core";
 import { COLUMNS, VALID_TRANSITIONS, type BatchStatusEntry, type BatchStatusResponse, type BatchStatusResult, type IssueInfo, type PrInfo, isGhAuthenticated, AUTOMATION_PRESETS, AutomationStore } from "@kb/core";
 import type { ServerOptions } from "./server.js";
 import { GitHubClient, getCurrentGitHubRepo, parseBadgeUrl } from "./github.js";
@@ -74,6 +74,74 @@ function normalizeModelSelectionPair(provider: string | undefined, modelId: stri
   return { provider, modelId };
 }
 
+function assertConsistentOptionalPair(
+  provider: unknown,
+  modelId: unknown,
+  pairName: string,
+): { provider?: string; modelId?: string } {
+  const normalizedProvider = validateOptionalModelField(provider, `${pairName} provider`);
+  const normalizedModelId = validateOptionalModelField(modelId, `${pairName} modelId`);
+
+  if ((normalizedProvider && !normalizedModelId) || (!normalizedProvider && normalizedModelId)) {
+    throw new Error(`${pairName} must include both provider and modelId or neither`);
+  }
+
+  return {
+    provider: normalizedProvider,
+    modelId: normalizedModelId,
+  };
+}
+
+function validateModelPresets(value: unknown): ModelPreset[] | undefined {
+  if (value === undefined) return undefined;
+  if (!Array.isArray(value)) {
+    throw new Error("modelPresets must be an array");
+  }
+
+  const seenIds = new Set<string>();
+
+  return value.map((preset, index) => {
+    if (!preset || typeof preset !== "object") {
+      throw new Error(`modelPresets[${index}] must be an object`);
+    }
+
+    const candidate = preset as Record<string, unknown>;
+    const id = validateOptionalModelField(candidate.id, `modelPresets[${index}].id`);
+    const name = validateOptionalModelField(candidate.name, `modelPresets[${index}].name`);
+
+    if (!id) {
+      throw new Error(`modelPresets[${index}].id is required`);
+    }
+    if (!name) {
+      throw new Error(`modelPresets[${index}].name is required`);
+    }
+    if (seenIds.has(id)) {
+      throw new Error(`modelPresets contains duplicate id: ${id}`);
+    }
+    seenIds.add(id);
+
+    const executor = assertConsistentOptionalPair(
+      candidate.executorProvider,
+      candidate.executorModelId,
+      `modelPresets[${index}].executor`,
+    );
+    const validator = assertConsistentOptionalPair(
+      candidate.validatorProvider,
+      candidate.validatorModelId,
+      `modelPresets[${index}].validator`,
+    );
+
+    return {
+      id,
+      name,
+      executorProvider: executor.provider,
+      executorModelId: executor.modelId,
+      validatorProvider: validator.provider,
+      validatorModelId: validator.modelId,
+    };
+  });
+}
+
 // ── Git Remote Detection ──────────────────────────────────────────
 
 /** Git remote info returned by the remotes endpoint */
@@ -863,10 +931,18 @@ export function createApiRoutes(store: TaskStore, options?: ServerOptions): Rout
       // These are computed server-side and injected only on GET /settings.
       // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-unused-vars
       const { githubTokenConfigured, ...clientSettings } = req.body;
+
+      if (Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(clientSettings, "modelPresets")) {
+        clientSettings.modelPresets = validateModelPresets(clientSettings.modelPresets);
+      }
+
       const settings = await store.updateSettings(clientSettings);
       res.json(settings);
     } catch (err: any) {
-      res.status(500).json({ error: err.message });
+      const status = typeof err?.message === "string" && (
+        err.message.includes("modelPresets") || err.message.includes("must include both provider and modelId")
+      ) ? 400 : 500;
+      res.status(status).json({ error: err.message });
     }
   });
 
@@ -952,6 +1028,7 @@ export function createApiRoutes(store: TaskStore, options?: ServerOptions): Rout
         column,
         dependencies,
         breakIntoSubtasks,
+        modelPresetId,
         modelProvider,
         modelId,
         validatorModelProvider,
@@ -980,6 +1057,7 @@ export function createApiRoutes(store: TaskStore, options?: ServerOptions): Rout
         column,
         dependencies,
         breakIntoSubtasks,
+        modelPresetId: validateOptionalModelField(modelPresetId, "modelPresetId"),
         modelProvider: executorModel.provider,
         modelId: executorModel.modelId,
         validatorModelProvider: validatorModel.provider,