diff --git a/client/src/hooks/useNewConvo.ts b/client/src/hooks/useNewConvo.ts
index d7c51cfecf..de58d54165 100644
--- a/client/src/hooks/useNewConvo.ts
+++ b/client/src/hooks/useNewConvo.ts
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ const useNewConvo = (index = 0) => {
       };
 
       let preset = _preset;
-      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(startupConfig);
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(startupConfig, endpointsConfig);
       const defaultModelSpec = result?.default ?? result?.last ?? result?.softDefault;
       const shouldApplyModelSpec =
         result?.softDefault != null
@@ -383,6 +383,7 @@ const useNewConvo = (index = 0) => {
       resetBadges,
       startupConfig,
       saveBadgesState,
+      endpointsConfig,
       pauseGlobalAudio,
       switchToConversation,
       applyModelSpecEffects,
diff --git a/client/src/routes/ChatRoute.tsx b/client/src/routes/ChatRoute.tsx
index eebbc88106..5f55df51dd 100644
--- a/client/src/routes/ChatRoute.tsx
+++ b/client/src/routes/ChatRoute.tsx
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ export default function ChatRoute() {
     }
 
     const getNewConvoPreset = () => {
-      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(startupConfig);
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(startupConfig, endpointsQuery.data);
       const spec = result?.default ?? result?.last ?? result?.softDefault;
       const specPreset = spec ? getModelSpecPreset(spec) : undefined;
 
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ export default function ChatRoute() {
       initialConvoQuery.isError &&
       isNotFoundError(initialConvoQuery.error)
     ) {
-      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(startupConfig);
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(startupConfig, endpointsQuery.data);
       const spec = result?.default ?? result?.last ?? result?.softDefault;
       showToast({
         message: localize('com_ui_conversation_not_found'),
diff --git a/client/src/utils/__tests__/getDefaultModelSpec.test.ts b/client/src/utils/__tests__/getDefaultModelSpec.test.ts
index 1127399d2b..e2032e06de 100644
--- a/client/src/utils/__tests__/getDefaultModelSpec.test.ts
+++ b/client/src/utils/__tests__/getDefaultModelSpec.test.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { EModelEndpoint, LocalStorageKeys } from 'librechat-data-provider';
-import type { TModelSpec, TStartupConfig } from 'librechat-data-provider';
+import type { TModelSpec, TStartupConfig, TEndpointsConfig } from 'librechat-data-provider';
 import { getDefaultModelSpec } from '../endpoints';
 
 const createModelSpec = (name: string, overrides: Partial<TModelSpec> = {}): TModelSpec =>
@@ -13,17 +13,80 @@ const createModelSpec = (name: string, overrides: Partial<TModelSpec> = {}): TMo
     ...overrides,
   }) as TModelSpec;
 
-const createStartupConfig = (list: TModelSpec[]): TStartupConfig =>
+const createStartupConfig = (
+  list: TModelSpec[],
+  {
+    prioritize = true,
+    modelSelect = true,
+    addedEndpoints,
+  }: { prioritize?: boolean; modelSelect?: boolean; addedEndpoints?: string[] } = {},
+): TStartupConfig =>
   ({
     interface: {
-      modelSelect: true,
+      modelSelect,
     },
     modelSpecs: {
-      prioritize: true,
+      prioritize,
       list,
+      ...(addedEndpoints ? { addedEndpoints } : {}),
     },
   }) as TStartupConfig;
 
+const fullEndpointsConfig: TEndpointsConfig = {
+  [EModelEndpoint.openAI]: { order: 0 },
+  [EModelEndpoint.agents]: { order: 1 },
+};
+
+const agentsOnlyEndpointsConfig: TEndpointsConfig = {
+  [EModelEndpoint.agents]: { order: 0 },
+};
+
+const writeLastModel = (endpoint: string, model: string) => {
+  const stored = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem(LocalStorageKeys.LAST_MODEL) ?? '{}') as Record<
+    string,
+    string
+  >;
+  stored[endpoint] = model;
+  localStorage.setItem(LocalStorageKeys.LAST_MODEL, JSON.stringify(stored));
+};
+
+/** Mirrors what the conversation effect persists after a spec preset is applied */
+const persistAppliedSpec = (spec: TModelSpec) => {
+  localStorage.setItem(LocalStorageKeys.LAST_SPEC, spec.name);
+  writeLastModel(spec.preset.endpoint as string, spec.preset.model as string);
+  localStorage.setItem(
+    `${LocalStorageKeys.LAST_CONVO_SETUP}_0`,
+    JSON.stringify({
+      endpoint: spec.preset.endpoint,
+      model: spec.preset.model,
+      spec: spec.name,
+    }),
+  );
+};
+
+/** Mirrors what the conversation effect persists after the user selects an agent */
+const persistAgentSelection = (agentId: string) => {
+  localStorage.setItem(`${LocalStorageKeys.AGENT_ID_PREFIX}0`, agentId);
+  localStorage.setItem(
+    `${LocalStorageKeys.LAST_CONVO_SETUP}_0`,
+    JSON.stringify({
+      endpoint: EModelEndpoint.agents,
+      agent_id: agentId,
+      model: null,
+      spec: null,
+    }),
+  );
+};
+
+/** Mirrors what the conversation effect persists after an ephemeral endpoint → model pick */
+const persistEphemeralSelection = (endpoint: string, model: string) => {
+  writeLastModel(endpoint, model);
+  localStorage.setItem(
+    `${LocalStorageKeys.LAST_CONVO_SETUP}_0`,
+    JSON.stringify({ endpoint, model, spec: null }),
+  );
+};
+
 describe('getDefaultModelSpec', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
     localStorage.clear();
@@ -55,7 +118,7 @@ describe('getDefaultModelSpec', () => {
       JSON.stringify({ [EModelEndpoint.openAI]: 'gpt-4o' }),
     );
 
-    const result = getDefaultModelSpec(createStartupConfig([softSpec]));
+    const result = getDefaultModelSpec(createStartupConfig([softSpec]), fullEndpointsConfig);
 
     expect(result).toBeUndefined();
   });
@@ -64,7 +127,7 @@ describe('getDefaultModelSpec', () => {
     const softSpec = createModelSpec('soft-spec', { softDefault: true });
     localStorage.setItem(`${LocalStorageKeys.AGENT_ID_PREFIX}0`, 'agent_123');
 
-    const result = getDefaultModelSpec(createStartupConfig([softSpec]));
+    const result = getDefaultModelSpec(createStartupConfig([softSpec]), fullEndpointsConfig);
 
     expect(result).toBeUndefined();
   });
@@ -87,4 +150,243 @@ describe('getDefaultModelSpec', () => {
 
     expect(result).toEqual({ default: firstSpec });
   });
+
+  describe('soft default auto-application residue', () => {
+    const softSpec = createModelSpec('soft-spec', { softDefault: true });
+    const otherSpec = createModelSpec('other-spec');
+
+    it('stays soft after its own application is persisted (prioritized config)', () => {
+      persistAppliedSpec(softSpec);
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([otherSpec, softSpec]),
+        fullEndpointsConfig,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toEqual({ softDefault: softSpec });
+    });
+
+    it('stays soft after its own application is persisted (modelSelect config)', () => {
+      persistAppliedSpec(softSpec);
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([otherSpec, softSpec], { prioritize: false }),
+        fullEndpointsConfig,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toEqual({ softDefault: softSpec });
+    });
+
+    it('yields to an agent selected after the soft default was applied', () => {
+      persistAppliedSpec(softSpec);
+      persistAgentSelection('agent_abc');
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([otherSpec, softSpec], { prioritize: false }),
+        fullEndpointsConfig,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toBeUndefined();
+    });
+
+    it('yields to an agent selection even with the prioritized config', () => {
+      persistAppliedSpec(softSpec);
+      persistAgentSelection('agent_abc');
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([otherSpec, softSpec]),
+        fullEndpointsConfig,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toBeUndefined();
+    });
+
+    it('yields to an ephemeral endpoint → model pick after the soft default was applied', () => {
+      persistAppliedSpec(softSpec);
+      persistEphemeralSelection(EModelEndpoint.openAI, 'gpt-4o');
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([otherSpec, softSpec], { prioritize: false }),
+        fullEndpointsConfig,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toBeUndefined();
+    });
+
+    it('yields to a different spec selected after the soft default was applied', () => {
+      persistAppliedSpec(softSpec);
+      persistAppliedSpec(otherSpec);
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([otherSpec, softSpec], { prioritize: false }),
+        fullEndpointsConfig,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toEqual({ last: otherSpec });
+    });
+
+    it('yields to a stored agent even when it matches the soft default agent spec', () => {
+      const softAgentSpec = createModelSpec('soft-agent-spec', {
+        softDefault: true,
+        preset: { endpoint: EModelEndpoint.agents, agent_id: 'agent_soft' },
+      } as Partial<TModelSpec>);
+      localStorage.setItem(`${LocalStorageKeys.AGENT_ID_PREFIX}0`, 'agent_soft');
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([softAgentSpec], { prioritize: false }),
+        fullEndpointsConfig,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toBeUndefined();
+    });
+
+    it('yields to a stored model selection matching the soft default preset', () => {
+      localStorage.setItem(
+        LocalStorageKeys.LAST_MODEL,
+        JSON.stringify({ [softSpec.preset.endpoint as string]: softSpec.preset.model }),
+      );
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([otherSpec, softSpec], { prioritize: false }),
+        fullEndpointsConfig,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toBeUndefined();
+    });
+
+    it('yields when a different agent is stored than the soft default agent spec', () => {
+      const softAgentSpec = createModelSpec('soft-agent-spec', {
+        softDefault: true,
+        preset: { endpoint: EModelEndpoint.agents, agent_id: 'agent_soft' },
+      } as Partial<TModelSpec>);
+      localStorage.setItem(`${LocalStorageKeys.AGENT_ID_PREFIX}0`, 'agent_other');
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([softAgentSpec], { prioritize: false }),
+        fullEndpointsConfig,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toBeUndefined();
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('explicit soft default selection', () => {
+    const softSpec = createModelSpec('soft-spec', { softDefault: true });
+    const otherSpec = createModelSpec('other-spec');
+
+    it('keeps the soft default selected over older model history (prioritized config)', () => {
+      persistEphemeralSelection(EModelEndpoint.openAI, 'gpt-4o');
+      persistAppliedSpec(softSpec);
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([otherSpec, softSpec]),
+        fullEndpointsConfig,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toEqual({ softDefault: softSpec });
+    });
+
+    it('keeps the soft default selected over older model history (modelSelect config)', () => {
+      persistEphemeralSelection(EModelEndpoint.openAI, 'gpt-4o');
+      persistAppliedSpec(softSpec);
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([otherSpec, softSpec], { prioritize: false }),
+        fullEndpointsConfig,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toEqual({ softDefault: softSpec });
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('no ephemeral endpoint → model options (edge case)', () => {
+    const softSpec = createModelSpec('soft-spec', { softDefault: true });
+    const otherSpec = createModelSpec('other-spec');
+
+    it('applies the soft default despite a stored agent when modelSelect is disabled', () => {
+      persistAgentSelection('agent_abc');
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([otherSpec, softSpec], { modelSelect: false }),
+        fullEndpointsConfig,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toEqual({ softDefault: softSpec });
+    });
+
+    it('applies the soft default despite a stored agent when addedEndpoints only includes agents', () => {
+      persistAgentSelection('agent_abc');
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([otherSpec, softSpec], {
+          prioritize: false,
+          addedEndpoints: [EModelEndpoint.agents],
+        }),
+        fullEndpointsConfig,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toEqual({ softDefault: softSpec });
+    });
+
+    it('applies the soft default despite a stored agent when agents is the only endpoint', () => {
+      persistAgentSelection('agent_abc');
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([otherSpec, softSpec], { prioritize: false }),
+        agentsOnlyEndpointsConfig,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toEqual({ softDefault: softSpec });
+    });
+
+    it('still defers to the last selected spec', () => {
+      persistAppliedSpec(otherSpec);
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([otherSpec, softSpec], { prioritize: false }),
+        agentsOnlyEndpointsConfig,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toEqual({ last: otherSpec });
+    });
+
+    it('keeps the selection gate when addedEndpoints includes ephemeral endpoints', () => {
+      persistAgentSelection('agent_abc');
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([otherSpec, softSpec], {
+          prioritize: false,
+          addedEndpoints: [EModelEndpoint.agents, EModelEndpoint.openAI],
+        }),
+        fullEndpointsConfig,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toBeUndefined();
+    });
+
+    it('keeps the selection gate while the endpoints config has not loaded', () => {
+      persistAgentSelection('agent_abc');
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([otherSpec, softSpec], { prioritize: false }),
+        undefined,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toBeUndefined();
+    });
+
+    it('detects an agents-only allow-list before the endpoints config loads', () => {
+      persistAgentSelection('agent_abc');
+
+      const result = getDefaultModelSpec(
+        createStartupConfig([otherSpec, softSpec], {
+          prioritize: false,
+          addedEndpoints: [EModelEndpoint.agents],
+        }),
+        undefined,
+      );
+
+      expect(result).toEqual({ softDefault: softSpec });
+    });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/client/src/utils/endpoints.ts b/client/src/utils/endpoints.ts
index 03923c3289..e4cbfc6f46 100644
--- a/client/src/utils/endpoints.ts
+++ b/client/src/utils/endpoints.ts
@@ -203,8 +203,14 @@ export function hasModelSelection(selection?: Partial<StoredModelSelection> | nu
   );
 }
 
-function hasStoredModelSelection(): boolean {
-  if (hasSelectionValue(localStorage.getItem(LocalStorageKeys.LAST_SPEC))) {
+/**
+ * Whether localStorage holds a model selection the user actually made.
+ * Only spec entries naming `softDefaultSpec` are residue of the soft default
+ * itself — selections that merely match its preset still count as user choices.
+ */
+function hasStoredModelSelection(softDefaultSpec?: t.TModelSpec): boolean {
+  const lastSpecName = localStorage.getItem(LocalStorageKeys.LAST_SPEC);
+  if (hasSelectionValue(lastSpecName) && lastSpecName !== softDefaultSpec?.name) {
     return true;
   }
 
@@ -222,10 +228,51 @@ function hasStoredModelSelection(): boolean {
   const lastConversationSetup = parseStoredModelSelection(
     localStorage.getItem(LocalStorageKeys.LAST_CONVO_SETUP + '_0'),
   );
+  if (softDefaultSpec && lastConversationSetup?.spec === softDefaultSpec.name) {
+    return false;
+  }
 
   return hasModelSelection(lastConversationSetup);
 }
 
+/**
+ * Whether the selector offers any ephemeral endpoint → model options.
+ * False when the endpoints menu is hidden (`modelSelect` disabled) or only
+ * agents/assistants picks remain; an empty endpoints config means not loaded.
+ */
+function hasEphemeralModelOptions({
+  endpointsConfig,
+  addedEndpoints,
+  modelSelect,
+}: {
+  endpointsConfig?: t.TEndpointsConfig;
+  addedEndpoints?: Array<EModelEndpoint | string>;
+  modelSelect?: boolean;
+}): boolean {
+  if (!modelSelect) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  const included = new Set(addedEndpoints ?? []);
+  const includesEphemeral =
+    included.size === 0 ||
+    [...included].some(
+      (endpoint) => !isAgentsEndpoint(endpoint) && !isAssistantsEndpoint(endpoint),
+    );
+  if (!includesEphemeral) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  if (endpointsConfig == null || Object.keys(endpointsConfig).length === 0) {
+    return true;
+  }
+  return Object.entries(endpointsConfig).some(
+    ([endpoint, config]) =>
+      config != null &&
+      !isAgentsEndpoint(endpoint) &&
+      !isAssistantsEndpoint(endpoint) &&
+      (included.size === 0 || included.has(endpoint)),
+  );
+}
+
 /** Get the conditional logic for switching conversations */
 export function getConvoSwitchLogic(params: ConversationInitParams): InitiatedTemplateResult {
   const { conversation, newEndpoint, endpointsConfig, modularChat = false } = params;
@@ -358,10 +405,15 @@ export function applyModelSpecEphemeralAgent({
 
 /**
  * Gets default model spec from config and user preferences.
- * Priority: hard admin default → prior user selection → soft first-time default.
+ * Priority: hard admin default → prior user selection → soft default.
+ * The soft default yields only to selections the user actually made, and acts
+ * as the fallback default when no ephemeral endpoint → model options exist.
  * Legacy first-spec prioritization remains only when no soft default is configured.
  */
-export function getDefaultModelSpec(startupConfig?: t.TStartupConfig):
+export function getDefaultModelSpec(
+  startupConfig?: t.TStartupConfig,
+  endpointsConfig?: t.TEndpointsConfig,
+):
   | {
       default?: t.TModelSpec;
       last?: t.TModelSpec;
@@ -369,39 +421,60 @@ export function getDefaultModelSpec(startupConfig?: t.TStartupConfig):
     }
   | undefined {
   const { modelSpecs, interface: interfaceConfig } = startupConfig ?? {};
-  const { list, prioritize } = modelSpecs ?? {};
+  const { list, prioritize, addedEndpoints } = modelSpecs ?? {};
   if (!list) {
     return;
   }
   const defaultSpec = list?.find((spec) => spec.default);
   const softDefaultSpec = list?.find((spec) => spec.softDefault);
+  const lastConversationSetup = parseStoredModelSelection(
+    localStorage.getItem(LocalStorageKeys.LAST_CONVO_SETUP + '_0'),
+  );
+  const resolveSoftDefault = (): { softDefault: t.TModelSpec } | undefined => {
+    if (!softDefaultSpec) {
+      return;
+    }
+    if (lastConversationSetup?.spec === softDefaultSpec.name) {
+      return { softDefault: softDefaultSpec };
+    }
+    const ephemeralOptions = hasEphemeralModelOptions({
+      endpointsConfig,
+      addedEndpoints,
+      modelSelect: interfaceConfig?.modelSelect,
+    });
+    if (!ephemeralOptions) {
+      return { softDefault: softDefaultSpec };
+    }
+    return hasStoredModelSelection(softDefaultSpec) ? undefined : { softDefault: softDefaultSpec };
+  };
   if (prioritize === true || !interfaceConfig?.modelSelect) {
     const lastSelectedSpecName = localStorage.getItem(LocalStorageKeys.LAST_SPEC);
     const lastSelectedSpec = list?.find((spec) => spec.name === lastSelectedSpecName);
     if (defaultSpec) {
       return { default: defaultSpec };
     }
+    if (lastSelectedSpec && lastSelectedSpec.name === softDefaultSpec?.name) {
+      return resolveSoftDefault();
+    }
     if (lastSelectedSpec) {
       return { last: lastSelectedSpec };
     }
     if (softDefaultSpec) {
-      return hasStoredModelSelection() ? undefined : { softDefault: softDefaultSpec };
+      return resolveSoftDefault();
     }
     return { default: list?.[0] };
   } else if (defaultSpec) {
     return { default: defaultSpec };
   }
-  const lastConversationSetup = parseStoredModelSelection(
-    localStorage.getItem(LocalStorageKeys.LAST_CONVO_SETUP + '_0'),
-  );
   const lastConversationSpecName = lastConversationSetup?.spec;
   if (!hasSelectionValue(lastConversationSpecName)) {
-    if (softDefaultSpec && !hasStoredModelSelection()) {
-      return { softDefault: softDefaultSpec };
-    }
-    return;
+    return resolveSoftDefault();
   }
-  return { last: list?.find((spec) => spec.name === lastConversationSpecName) };
+  const lastSpec = list?.find((spec) => spec.name === lastConversationSpecName);
+  if (lastSpec && lastSpec.name === softDefaultSpec?.name) {
+    return resolveSoftDefault();
+  }
+  return { last: lastSpec };
 }
 
 export function getModelSpecPreset(modelSpec?: t.TModelSpec) {
diff --git a/e2e/config/librechat.e2e.yaml b/e2e/config/librechat.e2e.yaml
index 4ed7224f53..a330ca23d7 100644
--- a/e2e/config/librechat.e2e.yaml
+++ b/e2e/config/librechat.e2e.yaml
@@ -26,9 +26,28 @@ endpoints:
       titleConvo: false
       modelDisplayLabel: 'Mock Provider B'
 
+    # No model spec mirrors this endpoint's label, so it stays unambiguous in the
+    # selector and gives e2e tests a real ephemeral endpoint → model option.
+    - name: 'Mock Provider C'
+      apiKey: 'e2e-mock-key-c'
+      baseURL: 'http://127.0.0.1:8889/v1'
+      models:
+        default:
+          - 'mock-model-c'
+        fetch: false
+      titleConvo: false
+      modelDisplayLabel: 'Mock Provider C'
+
 modelSpecs:
   prioritize: true
-  enforce: true
+  # Enforcement would reject sends from the non-spec paths addedEndpoints
+  # exposes below (buildEndpointOption requires a spec when enforce is true).
+  enforce: false
+  # Surfaces the endpoints menu (modelSelect defaults on when addedEndpoints is
+  # set) limited to entries that don't collide with the spec labels above.
+  addedEndpoints:
+    - 'Mock Provider C'
+    - 'agents'
   list:
     - name: 'e2e-mock-provider-a'
       label: 'Mock Provider A'
@@ -58,3 +77,10 @@ modelSpecs:
         - 'e2e-model-spec-allowed'
         - 'e2e-model-spec-missing'
         - 'e2e-model-spec-inaccessible'
+
+    - name: 'e2e-soft-default'
+      label: 'E2E Soft Default'
+      softDefault: true
+      preset:
+        endpoint: 'Mock Provider A'
+        model: 'mock-model-a'
diff --git a/e2e/specs/mock/soft-default.spec.ts b/e2e/specs/mock/soft-default.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..521e8f54fc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/e2e/specs/mock/soft-default.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+import { expect, test } from '@playwright/test';
+import type { Page } from '@playwright/test';
+import { NEW_CHAT_PATH, getAccessToken, requestJson } from './helpers';
+
+/** Label of the `softDefault: true` spec in e2e/config/librechat.e2e.yaml. */
+const SOFT_DEFAULT_LABEL = 'E2E Soft Default';
+
+/** Ephemeral endpoint from e2e/config/librechat.e2e.yaml with no mirroring spec. */
+const EPHEMERAL_ENDPOINT = { label: 'Mock Provider C', model: 'mock-model-c' };
+
+const uniqueName = (prefix: string) => `${prefix} ${Date.now()}-${Math.floor(Math.random() * 1e4)}`;
+
+const modelTrigger = (page: Page) => page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Select a model' }).first();
+
+/** Reset selection state so the test starts as a fresh instance (auth stays in cookies). */
+async function startFresh(page: Page) {
+  await page.goto(NEW_CHAT_PATH, { timeout: 10000 });
+  await page.evaluate(() => localStorage.clear());
+  await page.goto(NEW_CHAT_PATH, { timeout: 10000 });
+}
+
+type AgentResponse = {
+  id: string;
+  name?: string | null;
+};
+
+async function createAgent(page: Page, name: string): Promise<AgentResponse> {
+  const token = await getAccessToken(page);
+  return requestJson<AgentResponse>(page, {
+    path: '/api/agents',
+    token,
+    method: 'POST',
+    body: {
+      name,
+      provider: 'Mock Provider A',
+      model: 'mock-model-a',
+      model_parameters: {},
+    },
+  });
+}
+
+async function selectAgent(page: Page, agentName: string) {
+  await modelTrigger(page).click();
+  await page.getByRole('option', { name: 'My Agents' }).click();
+  await page.getByRole('option', { name: agentName }).click();
+  await expect(modelTrigger(page)).toContainText(agentName);
+}
+
+async function selectEphemeralModel(page: Page) {
+  await modelTrigger(page).click();
+  await page.getByRole('option', { name: EPHEMERAL_ENDPOINT.label }).click();
+  await page.getByRole('option', { name: EPHEMERAL_ENDPOINT.model, exact: true }).click();
+  await expect(modelTrigger(page)).toContainText(EPHEMERAL_ENDPOINT.model);
+}
+
+test.describe('soft default model spec', () => {
+  test('applies the soft default on a fresh instance and stays applied across reloads', async ({
+    page,
+  }) => {
+    await startFresh(page);
+
+    await expect(modelTrigger(page)).toContainText(SOFT_DEFAULT_LABEL, { timeout: 15000 });
+
+    // Its own auto-application must not convert it into a sticky "last" selection
+    // that would behave differently on the next load.
+    await page.reload({ timeout: 10000 });
+    await expect(modelTrigger(page)).toContainText(SOFT_DEFAULT_LABEL, { timeout: 15000 });
+  });
+
+  test('a previously selected agent outranks the soft default', async ({ page }) => {
+    test.setTimeout(120000);
+    await startFresh(page);
+    await expect(modelTrigger(page)).toContainText(SOFT_DEFAULT_LABEL, { timeout: 15000 });
+
+    const agentName = uniqueName('E2E Soft Agent');
+    await createAgent(page, agentName);
+    await page.goto(NEW_CHAT_PATH, { timeout: 10000 });
+
+    await selectAgent(page, agentName);
+
+    await page.reload({ timeout: 10000 });
+    await expect(modelTrigger(page)).toContainText(agentName, { timeout: 15000 });
+
+    await page.getByTestId('new-chat-button').click();
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/c\/new/, { timeout: 15000 });
+    await expect(modelTrigger(page)).toContainText(agentName, { timeout: 15000 });
+  });
+
+  test('a previous ephemeral endpoint and model selection outranks the soft default', async ({
+    page,
+  }) => {
+    test.setTimeout(120000);
+    await startFresh(page);
+    await expect(modelTrigger(page)).toContainText(SOFT_DEFAULT_LABEL, { timeout: 15000 });
+
+    await selectEphemeralModel(page);
+
+    await page.reload({ timeout: 10000 });
+    await expect(modelTrigger(page)).toContainText(EPHEMERAL_ENDPOINT.model, { timeout: 15000 });
+    await expect(modelTrigger(page)).not.toContainText(SOFT_DEFAULT_LABEL);
+
+    await page.getByTestId('new-chat-button').click();
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/c\/new/, { timeout: 15000 });
+    await expect(modelTrigger(page)).toContainText(EPHEMERAL_ENDPOINT.model, { timeout: 15000 });
+  });
+});