Two new models are now available in your Threads model selector: Claude Opus 4.8 and Gemma 4 31B. Each one is suited to a different kind of work, so you can pick the right model for the task without leaving your workspace.
What's new
Claude Opus 4.8 is Anthropic's most capable model, designed for complex reasoning, long-form strategic work, and multi-step creative tasks. It also supports extended reasoning mode, where the model spends more time thinking through a problem before responding — useful for nuanced briefs, brand strategy work, or anything that benefits from careful step-by-step thought.
Gemma 4 31B is Google's open-weights model, optimised for fast, lightweight tasks. It's a strong fit for quick drafts, summaries, brainstorming, and high-volume content work where speed matters more than deep reasoning.
How to use it
Open a Thread (or start a new one).
Click the model dropdown at the top of the message composer.
Select Claude Opus 4.8 or Gemma 4 31B from the list.
Send your message as usual. The model you picked will respond and stays selected for the rest of that Thread.
You can switch models at any point within a Thread — for example, drafting quickly with Gemma 4 31B and then switching to Claude Opus 4.8 for a final, more considered pass.
Tips
Pick Opus 4.8 for depth. Long briefs, multi-step reasoning, and high-stakes creative work benefit most from its extended reasoning mode.
Pick Gemma 4 31B for speed. Quick rewrites, ideation, and bulk content generation feel snappier on Gemma.
Your Brand Hub context is applied automatically regardless of which model you choose, so brand voice and guardrails carry across both.
Limitations
Opus 4.8 uses more credits per message than lighter models, especially when extended reasoning is active. If you're working through a long Thread, consider drafting with a faster model and reserving Opus 4.8 for the moments where careful reasoning really pays off.