docs: refresh model selection fallback refs

docs/cli/models.md

@@ -41,7 +41,9 @@ Notes:
 
 - `models set <model-or-alias>` accepts `provider/model` or an alias.
 - Model refs are parsed by splitting on the **first** `/`. If the model ID includes `/` (OpenRouter-style), include the provider prefix (example: `openrouter/moonshotai/kimi-k2`).
-- If you omit the provider, OpenClaw treats the input as an alias or a model for the **default provider** (only works when there is no `/` in the model ID).
+- If you omit the provider, OpenClaw resolves the input as an alias first, then
+  as a unique configured-provider match for that exact model id, and only then
+  falls back to the configured default provider with a deprecation warning.
 - `models status` may show `marker(<value>)` in auth output for non-secret placeholders (for example `OPENAI_API_KEY`, `secretref-managed`, `minimax-oauth`, `oauth:chutes`, `ollama-local`) instead of masking them as secrets.
 
 ### `models status`

docs/concepts/agent.md

@@ -111,7 +111,9 @@ Model refs in config (for example `agents.defaults.model` and `agents.defaults.m
 
 - Use `provider/model` when configuring models.
 - If the model ID itself contains `/` (OpenRouter-style), include the provider prefix (example: `openrouter/moonshotai/kimi-k2`).
-- If you omit the provider, OpenClaw treats the input as an alias or a model for the **default provider** (only works when there is no `/` in the model ID).
+- If you omit the provider, OpenClaw tries an alias first, then a unique
+  configured-provider match for that exact model id, and only then falls back
+  to the configured default provider.
 
 ## Configuration (minimal)
 

docs/concepts/models.md

@@ -119,7 +119,10 @@ Notes:
 - `/model status` is the detailed view (auth candidates and, when configured, provider endpoint `baseUrl` + `api` mode).
 - Model refs are parsed by splitting on the **first** `/`. Use `provider/model` when typing `/model <ref>`.
 - If the model ID itself contains `/` (OpenRouter-style), you must include the provider prefix (example: `/model openrouter/moonshotai/kimi-k2`).
-- If you omit the provider, OpenClaw treats the input as an alias or a model for the **default provider** (only works when there is no `/` in the model ID).
+- If you omit the provider, OpenClaw resolves the input in this order:
+  1. alias match
+  2. unique configured-provider match for that exact unprefixed model id
+  3. deprecated fallback to the configured default provider
 
 Full command behavior/config: [Slash commands](/tools/slash-commands).
 

docs/gateway/configuration-reference.md

@@ -989,7 +989,7 @@ Time format in system prompt. Default: `auto` (OS preference).
 - `pdfMaxPages`: default maximum pages considered by extraction fallback mode in the `pdf` tool.
 - `verboseDefault`: default verbose level for agents. Values: `"off"`, `"on"`, `"full"`. Default: `"off"`.
 - `elevatedDefault`: default elevated-output level for agents. Values: `"off"`, `"on"`, `"ask"`, `"full"`. Default: `"on"`.
-- `model.primary`: format `provider/model` (e.g. `openai/gpt-5.4`). If you omit the provider, OpenClaw assumes the configured default provider (currently `openai`; deprecated fallback behavior, so prefer explicit `provider/model`).
+- `model.primary`: format `provider/model` (e.g. `openai/gpt-5.4`). If you omit the provider, OpenClaw tries an alias first, then a unique configured-provider match for that exact model id, and only then falls back to the configured default provider (deprecated compatibility behavior, so prefer explicit `provider/model`).
 - `models`: the configured model catalog and allowlist for `/model`. Each entry can include `alias` (shortcut) and `params` (provider-specific, for example `temperature`, `maxTokens`, `cacheRetention`, `context1m`).
 - `params`: global default provider parameters applied to all models. Set at `agents.defaults.params` (e.g. `{ cacheRetention: "long" }`).
 - `params` merge precedence (config): `agents.defaults.params` (global base) is overridden by `agents.defaults.models["provider/model"].params` (per-model), then `agents.list[].params` (matching agent id) overrides by key. See [Prompt Caching](/reference/prompt-caching) for details.

docs/help/faq.md

@@ -2107,7 +2107,7 @@ for usage/billing and raise limits as needed.
     agents.defaults.model.primary
     ```
 
-    Models are referenced as `provider/model` (example: `openai/gpt-5.4`). If you omit the provider, OpenClaw currently assumes the configured default provider (currently `openai`) as a temporary deprecation fallback - but you should still **explicitly** set `provider/model`.
+    Models are referenced as `provider/model` (example: `openai/gpt-5.4`). If you omit the provider, OpenClaw first tries an alias, then a unique configured-provider match for that exact model id, and only then falls back to the configured default provider as a deprecated compatibility path. You should still **explicitly** set `provider/model`.
 
   </Accordion>