Preferences control the defaults that ZeroTwo uses when you start a new chat. Unlike Personalization settings (which shape how ZeroTwo talks to you), Preferences configure the mechanics — which AI model is selected, which tools are active, and how agents behave.
Access: Settings → Preferences
Default model
Choose which AI model is pre-selected when you open a new chat.
This is a personal default — you can always switch models for any specific chat using the model selector in the chat header. Setting a default just means you don’t have to change it every time.
When to change this:
- If you find yourself always switching to a specific model, make it your default
- Set a faster model as default if you mostly do quick tasks, and switch to a more capable model when needed
- Set your most capable model as default if response quality is always your priority
The default model applies to new chats only. Existing chats retain the model they were started with.
Default tools
Choose which tool pills are active by default when you start a new chat.
Tools you can set as always-on defaults include:
- Search — web search is active from the first message
- Canvas — canvas panel opens automatically with new chats
- Other tools available in your plan
Setting a tool as a default means you don’t need to click the tool pill in each new chat. You can always toggle tools on or off within a specific chat — defaults are just your starting point.
Recommendation: if you use web search in most of your conversations, enable Search as a default tool. It saves a click every time.
Voice selection
Choose your default voice for voice conversations with ZeroTwo.
ZeroTwo offers 10 voice options:
| Voice | Character |
|---|
| Alloy | Neutral, balanced |
| Ash | Clear and composed |
| Ballad | Warm and melodic |
| Cedar | Grounded and calm |
| Coral | Friendly and approachable |
| Echo | Crisp and precise |
| Marin | Smooth and conversational |
| Sage | Thoughtful and measured |
| Shimmer | Light and expressive |
| Verse | Dynamic and engaging |
Agent confirmation behavior
When Agent Mode is active, ZeroTwo can take actions on your behalf — creating files, sending messages, updating records, running code. Confirmation behavior determines when ZeroTwo pauses and asks before proceeding.
| Setting | Behavior | Best for |
|---|
| Ask for all actions | ZeroTwo confirms before every action, including reads | Users who want maximum oversight |
| Ask for high-impact only | ZeroTwo confirms before write, delete, or send actions; proceeds silently for reads (default) | Most users — good balance |
| Minimal confirmations | ZeroTwo proceeds with most actions and only pauses for explicitly destructive operations | Power users who trust the agent and want speed |
“Minimal confirmations” mode means ZeroTwo can take more actions without pausing. Use this only if you’re comfortable with the agent acting autonomously on connected apps.
Auto-search
Toggle whether ZeroTwo can automatically trigger web search even when the Search tool pill is not active.
When On (default): ZeroTwo may pull in fresh web data for time-sensitive questions (news, current events, prices, etc.) without you needing to activate the Search pill.
When Off: ZeroTwo only uses web search when you explicitly activate the Search tool pill.
Response format default
Some users prefer ZeroTwo to render responses in plain text by default rather than Markdown. This is useful if you’re frequently copying output into tools that don’t render Markdown.
| Setting | Behavior |
|---|
| Markdown (default) | Responses use headers, bold, code blocks, tables, and lists |
| Plain text | Responses are unformatted — no Markdown rendering |
This default can be overridden per-chat at any time using the format toggle in the chat toolbar.
Applying preference changes
Preference changes take effect for all new chats. Chats already in progress use the settings they were started with.
After setting your defaults in Preferences, test them by opening a new chat. Verify the model shown in the selector matches your default, and that the expected tool pills are active.
