[FEATURE] Keyboard shortcut to cycle effort level without opening model picker

[PaulRBerg]

Problem

Changing the effort level (low/medium/high) currently requires opening the model picker with Cmd+P and then using left/right arrow keys. This is a two-step interaction for something that should be a quick toggle — especially since effort level is adjusted frequently during a session.

Proposed solution

Add a dedicated keyboard shortcut (e.g., Ctrl+E or Ctrl+Shift+E) that cycles through effort levels directly from the input prompt: low → medium → high → low. The current effort level is already shown in the status line, so visual feedback is already in place.

Alternatively, support separate keybindings for increase/decrease effort that work from the main input context — not just inside the model picker:

• inputBox:increaseEffort
• inputBox:decreaseEffort

These would mirror the existing modelPicker:increaseEffort / modelPicker:decreaseEffort actions but be available globally.

Alternatives considered

• Cmd+P → arrow keys (current workflow — works but requires two steps)
• CLAUDE_CODE_EFFORT_LEVEL env var (static, requires restarting the session)
• effortLevel in settings (static, requires editing config)

Priority

Medium

Category

Interactive mode (TUI)

Environment

• Version: 2.1.70 (Claude Code)
• OS: macOS Tahoe v26.3.1
• Terminal: iTerm.app

[stefansimik]

This is much needed feature.
It is really slowing down the whole working with Claude Code, when we have to go to the model settings, instead of just quickly increasing / decreasing thinking level with shortcuts.

[NubeBuster]

Alternatively, support separate keybindings for increase/decrease effort that work from the main input context — not just inside the model picker:

* `inputBox:increaseEffort`

* `inputBox:decreaseEffort`

👆🏻🧠🎓

[Simplereally]

+1 amazed this isnt a feature, opencode slaps with this

[github-actions]

Closing for now — inactive for too long. Please open a new issue if this is still relevant.