diff --git a/acp_adapter/model_catalog.py b/acp_adapter/model_catalog.py
index 120060cb25..c6ac6045d4 100644
--- a/acp_adapter/model_catalog.py
+++ b/acp_adapter/model_catalog.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ def _named_custom_provider_catalogs() -> list[tuple[str, str, list[tuple[str, st
         from hermes_cli.model_switch import _declared_model_ids, _entry_models_discovered, _models_config_is_allowlist
         from hermes_cli.model_switch_providers import _NativePickerModelList, _fetch_picker_live_models
         from hermes_cli.model_switch_providers import _discover_flag
-        from hermes_cli.models import should_use_ollama_native_catalog
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import should_use_ollama_native_catalog
         from hermes_cli.providers import custom_provider_slug
     except ImportError:
         return []
diff --git a/agent/auxiliary_client.py b/agent/auxiliary_client.py
index 4fc976f7e3..4172e4f515 100644
--- a/agent/auxiliary_client.py
+++ b/agent/auxiliary_client.py
@@ -689,7 +689,7 @@ def _fast_model_from_catalog(provider_id: str) -> str:
     is_nous = provider_id.strip().lower() == "nous"
     try:
         from hermes_cli.auth import resolve_api_key_provider_credentials
-        from hermes_cli.models import fetch_models_with_pricing
+        from hermes_cli.models_pricing import fetch_models_with_pricing
         from providers import get_provider_profile
         # Most /v1/models endpoints are authenticated; an anonymous 401 would read as "no small
         # model" and pin the curated default forever.
@@ -704,7 +704,7 @@ def _fast_model_from_catalog(provider_id: str) -> str:
         if not api_key and is_nous:
             # Nous is OAuth (resolver raises); anonymous reads return the full catalog.
             try:
-                from hermes_cli.models import _resolve_nous_pricing_credentials
+                from hermes_cli.models_pricing import _resolve_nous_pricing_credentials
                 api_key, base_url = _resolve_nous_pricing_credentials()
             except Exception:
                 logger.debug("No Nous credentials for catalog", exc_info=True)
@@ -719,7 +719,7 @@ def _fast_model_from_catalog(provider_id: str) -> str:
         # policy-catalog expiry.
         _nous_kwargs = {}
         if is_nous:
-            from hermes_cli.models import _NOUS_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS
+            from hermes_cli.models_pricing import _NOUS_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS
             _nous_kwargs = {"include_sale_original": True, "cache_ttl_seconds": _NOUS_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS}
         catalog = fetch_models_with_pricing(
             api_key=api_key or None, base_url=base_url, timeout=3.0, **_nous_kwargs) or {}
@@ -730,7 +730,7 @@ def _fast_model_from_catalog(provider_id: str) -> str:
     if is_nous:
         # Narrow catalog ids by org policy, as the pickers do.
         try:
-            from hermes_cli.models import nous_policy_allowed_ids, restrict_to_nous_policy
+            from hermes_cli.models_pricing import nous_policy_allowed_ids, restrict_to_nous_policy
             ids = restrict_to_nous_policy(ids, nous_policy_allowed_ids())
         except Exception:
             logger.debug("Nous policy filter unavailable", exc_info=True)
@@ -770,7 +770,7 @@ def _get_aux_model_for_provider(provider_id: str, *, prefer_fast: bool = False)
     # let the caller keep the main model.
     if picked and provider_id.strip().lower() == "nous":
         try:
-            from hermes_cli.models import nous_policy_allowed_ids, restrict_to_nous_policy
+            from hermes_cli.models_pricing import nous_policy_allowed_ids, restrict_to_nous_policy
             allowed = nous_policy_allowed_ids()
             if allowed and not restrict_to_nous_policy([picked], allowed):
                 return ""
diff --git a/agent/credits_tracker.py b/agent/credits_tracker.py
index 0b54133550..cd6005cbd8 100644
--- a/agent/credits_tracker.py
+++ b/agent/credits_tracker.py
@@ -131,7 +131,8 @@ def is_free_tier_model(model: str, base_url: str = "") -> bool:
     if not base_url:
         return False
     try:
-        from hermes_cli.models import _is_model_free, peek_cached_pricing
+        from hermes_cli.models import _is_model_free
+        from hermes_cli.models_pricing import peek_cached_pricing
 
         pricing = peek_cached_pricing(base_url)  # owns the /v1-suffix and auth-state key details
         return bool(pricing) and _is_model_free(model, pricing)
diff --git a/agent/reasoning_params.py b/agent/reasoning_params.py
index 973fb64ab1..17711e73d5 100644
--- a/agent/reasoning_params.py
+++ b/agent/reasoning_params.py
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ class ReasoningParamsMixin:
         # Live-catalog metadata first (OpenRouter /v1/models supported_parameters) — the static prefix
         # allowlist repeatedly went stale one vendor at a time. Unknown falls back to the static list.
         try:
-            from hermes_cli.models import openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities, warm_openrouter_reasoning_caps_async
+            from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities, warm_openrouter_reasoning_caps_async
             caps = openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities(self.model)
             if caps is None:
                 warm_openrouter_reasoning_caps_async()  # cache cold — warm in the background, never block
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ class ReasoningParamsMixin:
     def _lmstudio_reasoning_options_cached(self) -> list[str]:
         """LM Studio's published reasoning ``allowed_options`` (gate + clamp so toggle models don't 400 on ``high``)."""
         try:
-            from hermes_cli.models import lmstudio_model_reasoning_options
+            from hermes_cli.models_local import lmstudio_model_reasoning_options
         except Exception:
             return []
         return _cached_probe(self, "_lm_reasoning_opts_cache", lmstudio_model_reasoning_options, [], bool)
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ class ReasoningParamsMixin:
     def _ollama_supports_thinking_cached(self) -> bool:
         """True only if Ollama's ``/api/show`` declares the ``thinking`` capability."""
         try:
-            from hermes_cli.models import ollama_model_supports_thinking
+            from hermes_cli.models_local import ollama_model_supports_thinking
         except Exception:
             return False
         return bool(_cached_probe(self, "_ollama_thinking_cache", ollama_model_supports_thinking, None, lambda v: v is not None))
diff --git a/hermes_cli/auth_model_picker.py b/hermes_cli/auth_model_picker.py
index 181d7c5497..1eda39aad0 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/auth_model_picker.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/auth_model_picker.py
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class _ModelPickerRows:
         self, all_models: List[str], pricing: Optional[Dict[str, Dict[str, str]]], *,
         current_model: str, sale_chrome: bool,
     ) -> None:
-        from hermes_cli.models import _format_price_per_mtok, compute_sale_discount
+        from hermes_cli.models_pricing import _format_price_per_mtok, compute_sale_discount
         self.current_model = current_model
         self.has_pricing = bool(pricing and any(pricing.get(m) for m in all_models))
         # Leave room for a leading "★ " on sale rows (Nous only).
diff --git a/hermes_cli/auth_nous.py b/hermes_cli/auth_nous.py
index 7ec409f7ab..7289291d13 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/auth_nous.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/auth_nous.py
@@ -1328,9 +1328,17 @@ def _pick_nous_model_after_login(
     if not isinstance(runtime_key, str) or not runtime_key:
         raise _nous_err("No runtime API key available to fetch models", "invalid_token")
     from hermes_cli.models import (
-        get_curated_nous_model_ids, get_pricing_for_provider, check_nous_free_tier,
-        partition_nous_models_by_tier, nous_policy_allowed_ids, restrict_to_nous_policy,
-        union_with_portal_free_recommendations, union_with_portal_paid_recommendations)
+        get_curated_nous_model_ids,
+        check_nous_free_tier,
+        partition_nous_models_by_tier,
+        union_with_portal_free_recommendations,
+        union_with_portal_paid_recommendations,
+    )
+    from hermes_cli.models_pricing import (
+        get_pricing_for_provider,
+        nous_policy_allowed_ids,
+        restrict_to_nous_policy,
+    )
     model_ids = get_curated_nous_model_ids()
     _portal = auth_state.get("portal_base_url", "")
     print()
diff --git a/hermes_cli/inventory.py b/hermes_cli/inventory.py
index 4102115891..5cd90fb988 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/inventory.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/inventory.py
@@ -249,9 +249,11 @@ def _reasoning_catalog_reader(slug: str):
     """Per-model reasoning-capability reader for aggregators that publish one. Cache-only — the picker
     must never block on HTTP; a cold cache warms in the background and reports no restriction until then."""
     try:
-        from hermes_cli.models import (
-            nous_model_reasoning_capabilities, openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities,
-            warm_nous_reasoning_caps_async, warm_openrouter_reasoning_caps_async,
+        from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import (
+            nous_model_reasoning_capabilities,
+            openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities,
+            warm_nous_reasoning_caps_async,
+            warm_openrouter_reasoning_caps_async,
         )
     except Exception:
         return None
@@ -573,9 +575,15 @@ def _apply_pricing(rows: list[dict], *, force_fresh_nous_tier: bool = False, cac
     ``free_tier`` (account is free-tier) and ``unavailable_models`` (paid models a free user can't pick).
     ``cached_only`` never hits the network: unknown Nous entitlement fails closed (``free_tier_pending``,
     all models locked) and missing pricing is marked ``pricing_pending``."""
+    from hermes_cli.models_pricing import (
+        _format_price_per_mtok,
+        compute_sale_discount,
+        get_pricing_for_provider,
+    )
     from hermes_cli.models import (
-        _format_price_per_mtok, check_nous_free_tier, compute_sale_discount, get_cached_nous_free_tier,
-        get_pricing_for_provider, partition_nous_models_by_tier,
+        check_nous_free_tier,
+        get_cached_nous_free_tier,
+        partition_nous_models_by_tier,
     )
 
     nous_free_tier: Optional[bool] = None  # resolved once (cached in models.py for the TTL window)
@@ -686,7 +694,7 @@ def _prewarm_pricing_async(
     """Warm picker pricing caches without delaying the current payload (one worker per
     profile + endpoint scope; a live worker is reused)."""
     from hermes_constants import hermes_home_key
-    from hermes_cli.models import pricing_cache_scope
+    from hermes_cli.models_pricing import pricing_cache_scope
 
     slugs = {str(row.get("slug") or "").lower() for row in rows if row.get("slug")}
     endpoint_scope = tuple(sorted(
diff --git a/hermes_cli/main_provider_setup.py b/hermes_cli/main_provider_setup.py
index c35bcb2f51..a8a89fb974 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/main_provider_setup.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/main_provider_setup.py
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ def _aux_flow_provider_model(task: str, provider_slug: str, curated_models: list
                              current_model: str = "") -> None:
     """Prompt for a model under an already-authenticated provider, save to aux."""
     from hermes_cli.auth import _prompt_model_selection
-    from hermes_cli.models import get_pricing_for_provider
+    from hermes_cli.models_pricing import get_pricing_for_provider
     display_name = _aux_task_display_name(task)
     try:
         pricing = get_pricing_for_provider(provider_slug) or {}
@@ -780,7 +780,8 @@ def _build_provider_picker_rows(config: dict, active: str, provider_labels: dict
     fold into display groups (PROVIDER_GROUPS): a group row's ``members`` drive a sub-picker, leaf
     rows have ``members == []``; saved custom providers and trailing actions stay flat. Honors
     ``model_catalog.excluded_providers`` (slug or alias, case-insensitive) like the gateway/TUI."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import CANONICAL_PROVIDERS, _PROVIDER_ALIASES, group_providers, provider_group_for_slug
+    from hermes_cli.models import CANONICAL_PROVIDERS, _PROVIDER_ALIASES
+    from hermes_cli.models_catalog_static import group_providers, provider_group_for_slug
     canonical_descs = {p.slug: p.tui_desc for p in CANONICAL_PROVIDERS}
     _cli_excluded = {
         str(p).strip().lower()
diff --git a/hermes_cli/model_setup_flows_custom.py b/hermes_cli/model_setup_flows_custom.py
index 7c0711c46e..91d101b906 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/model_setup_flows_custom.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/model_setup_flows_custom.py
@@ -207,9 +207,12 @@ def _discover_named_custom_models(provider_info: dict, api_key: str, configured_
     """Live catalog probe for a named custom endpoint (native ``/api/tags`` for Ollama).
     Returns ``(models, native_catalog_empty)``; persists the live catalog as a side effect."""
     from hermes_cli.config import normalize_extra_headers
-    from hermes_cli.models import (
-        fetch_api_models, fetch_ollama_local_models, _get_ollama_native_headers, _normalize_openai_base_url,
-        should_use_ollama_native_catalog)
+    from hermes_cli.models import fetch_api_models, _get_ollama_native_headers
+    from hermes_cli.models_local import (
+        fetch_ollama_local_models,
+        _normalize_openai_base_url,
+        should_use_ollama_native_catalog,
+    )
 
     name, base_url = provider_info["name"], provider_info["base_url"]
     api_mode = provider_info.get("api_mode", "")
diff --git a/hermes_cli/model_switch.py b/hermes_cli/model_switch.py
index 45c2dd1397..6649653f60 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/model_switch.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/model_switch.py
@@ -976,7 +976,7 @@ def _apply_direct_alias_endpoint(st: "_Switch", da: DirectAlias) -> None:
     own endpoint decides: its declared key; else the session key only for the SAME ORIGIN; else a
     fresh resolution against the alias base_url (env-key fallbacks are host-gated: OLLAMA_API_KEY
     resolves for ollama.com, OPENROUTER_API_KEY never reaches an unrelated host)."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import _same_ollama_native_root
+    from hermes_cli.models_local import _same_ollama_native_root
     from hermes_cli.runtime_provider import resolve_runtime_provider
     alias_key = direct_alias_api_key(da)
     same_host = _may_reuse_session_credential(st.base_url, da.base_url)
@@ -1282,12 +1282,12 @@ def _creds_for_current_provider(st: _Switch) -> None:
     """Credentials when staying on the current provider. Mid-session ``/model <name>`` on a local
     Ollama-compatible endpoint keeps the endpoint in use; re-resolving bare ``custom`` from config
     can fall through to an unrelated default provider."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import _get_ollama_request_headers, _same_ollama_native_root
+    from hermes_cli.models_local import _get_ollama_request_headers, _same_ollama_native_root
     keep_current_ollama_endpoint = False
     ollama_headers: dict[str, str] = {}
     if st.current_provider == "custom" and st.current_base_url:
         try:
-            from hermes_cli.models import should_use_ollama_native_catalog
+            from hermes_cli.models_local import should_use_ollama_native_catalog
             ollama_headers = _get_ollama_request_headers()
             _, configured_ollama_base = _ollama_configured_base()
             # Provider-level Ollama headers only belong to the configured native root; without
@@ -1343,7 +1343,8 @@ def _resolve_switch_credentials(st: _Switch) -> Optional[ModelSwitchResult]:
 def _validate_switch(st: _Switch) -> Optional[ModelSwitchResult]:
     """COMMON PATH part 2: normalize the model name for the target provider, validate it, and
     accept config-declared models the remote catalog lacks."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import _get_ollama_request_headers, validate_requested_model
+    from hermes_cli.models_local import _get_ollama_request_headers
+    from hermes_cli.models_validate import validate_requested_model
     st.new_model = _resolve_named_custom_model_id(st.new_model, st.target_provider, st.custom_providers)
     st.new_model = normalize_model_for_provider(st.new_model, st.target_provider)
 
diff --git a/hermes_cli/model_switch_providers.py b/hermes_cli/model_switch_providers.py
index 8580599643..548460e063 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/model_switch_providers.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/model_switch_providers.py
@@ -89,9 +89,12 @@ def _fetch_picker_live_models(
     headers: dict[str, str] | None = None, timeout: float = 5.0,
     api_mode: str | None = None) -> list[str] | None:
     """Fetch picker models with native Ollama and cached generic discovery."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import (
-        _get_ollama_native_headers, _normalize_openai_base_url, cached_fetch_api_models,
-        fetch_ollama_local_models, should_use_ollama_native_catalog)
+    from hermes_cli.models import _get_ollama_native_headers, cached_fetch_api_models
+    from hermes_cli.models_local import (
+        _normalize_openai_base_url,
+        fetch_ollama_local_models,
+        should_use_ollama_native_catalog,
+    )
 
     candidate_headers = _get_ollama_native_headers(api_url, api_key=api_key)
 
@@ -395,9 +398,12 @@ def _nous_picker_model_ids(curated: dict, force_fresh_nous_tier: bool) -> list:
     recommendation fetch still yields a policy-filtered curated list."""
     model_ids = curated.get("nous", [])
     try:
+        from hermes_cli.models_pricing import get_pricing_for_provider
         from hermes_cli.models import (
-            get_pricing_for_provider, check_nous_free_tier, union_with_portal_free_recommendations,
-            union_with_portal_paid_recommendations)
+            check_nous_free_tier,
+            union_with_portal_free_recommendations,
+            union_with_portal_paid_recommendations,
+        )
         from hermes_cli.auth import get_provider_auth_state
         pricing = get_pricing_for_provider("nous") or {}
         try:
@@ -411,7 +417,7 @@ def _nous_picker_model_ids(curated: dict, force_fresh_nous_tier: bool) -> list:
     except Exception:
         pass
     try:
-        from hermes_cli.models import nous_policy_allowed_ids, restrict_to_nous_policy
+        from hermes_cli.models_pricing import nous_policy_allowed_ids, restrict_to_nous_policy
         model_ids = restrict_to_nous_policy(model_ids, nous_policy_allowed_ids(), rescue_empty=True)
     except Exception:
         pass
@@ -996,7 +1002,7 @@ def _build_curated_lists(current_provider: str, current_base_url: str, current_m
     # unreachable, fall back to the current model so the picker still shows something offline.
     is_current_lmstudio = current_provider.strip().lower() == "lmstudio"
     if "lmstudio" not in curated and (os.environ.get("LM_API_KEY") or os.environ.get("LM_BASE_URL") or is_current_lmstudio):
-        from hermes_cli.models import fetch_lmstudio_models
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import fetch_lmstudio_models
         from hermes_cli.auth import AuthError
         lm_base = (
             os.environ.get("LM_BASE_URL")
diff --git a/hermes_cli/models.py b/hermes_cli/models.py
index dac18836e3..541d23f1e8 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/models.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/models.py
@@ -26,12 +26,10 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 
 from hermes_cli import __version__ as _HERMES_VERSION
 from hermes_cli.urllib_security import open_credentialed_url
-from hermes_cli.models_catalog_static import (  # noqa: F401  (re-exported; tests patch hermes_cli.models.<name>)
+from hermes_cli.models_catalog_static import (
     CANONICAL_PROVIDERS,
     OPENROUTER_MODELS,
     PREFERRED_SILENT_DEFAULT_MODEL,
-    PROVIDER_GROUPS,
-    ProviderEntry,
     VERCEL_AI_GATEWAY_MODELS,
     _AGGREGATOR_PROVIDERS,
     _AZURE_FOUNDRY_RESPONSES_PREFIXES,
@@ -47,78 +45,21 @@ from hermes_cli.models_catalog_static import (  # noqa: F401  (re-exported; test
     _PROVIDER_MODELS,
     _PROVIDER_RETIRED_ALIASES,
     _SILENT_DEFAULT_PROVIDERS,
-    _xai_finalize_catalog,
-    group_providers,
-    provider_group_for_slug)
-from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import (  # noqa: F401  (re-exported; tests patch hermes_cli.models.<name>)
+    _xai_finalize_catalog)
+from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import (
     _OPENROUTER_CATALOG_URL,
-    _read_reasoning_caps_disk,
-    _reasoning_caps_disk_path,
-    _save_reasoning_caps_disk,
-    _seed_reasoning_caps,
-    nous_catalog_url,
-    nous_model_reasoning_capabilities,
-    # Live-catalog metadata first (ported from PrimeIntellect-ai/prime-agent#1258): OpenRouter's /v1/models
-    # entries advertise reasoning support via supported_parameters + a reasoning object, which covers every
-    # routed vendor without a hand-maintained prefix list. The static prefix allowlist below repeatedly went
-    # stale one vendor at a time (nvidia/ missing → #75386; same class as tencent/, xiaomi/ additions before
-    # it) — metadata makes new vendors work without a code change. One catalog fetch per process, cached;
-    # unknown (catalog unreachable / unlisted model) falls back to the static list.
-    openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities,
-    parse_openrouter_reasoning_capabilities,
-    refresh_reasoning_caps_async,
-    warm_nous_reasoning_caps_async,
-    warm_openrouter_reasoning_caps_async)
-from hermes_cli.models_local import (  # noqa: F401  (re-exported; tests patch hermes_cli.models.<name>)
-    LMStudioLoadResult,
+    _seed_reasoning_caps)
+from hermes_cli.models_local import (
     _OLLAMA_LOCAL_MODELS_CACHE,
     _OLLAMA_LOCAL_MODELS_CACHE_TTL,
     _OLLAMA_LOCAL_PROBE_FAILURE_CACHE,
     _OLLAMA_LOCAL_PROBE_REACHABLE,
     _get_ollama_base_url,
     _get_ollama_native_headers,
-    _get_ollama_request_headers,
-    _lmstudio_fetch_raw_models,
-    _lmstudio_server_root,
-    _normalize_openai_base_url,
     _ollama_local_catalog,
     _ollama_probe_cache_key,
     _root_for_ollama_native_api,
-    _same_ollama_native_root,
-    _strip_ollama_cloud_suffix,
-    ensure_lmstudio_model_loaded,
-    fetch_lmstudio_models,
-    fetch_ollama_cloud_models,
-    fetch_ollama_local_models,
-    lmstudio_model_reasoning_options,
-    ollama_model_supports_thinking,
-    probe_lmstudio_models,
-    probe_ollama_local_models,
-    should_use_ollama_native_catalog)
-from hermes_cli.models_pricing import (  # noqa: F401  (re-exported; tests patch hermes_cli.models.<name>)
-    _FAILED_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS,
-    _NOUS_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS,
-    _NOUS_POLICY_APPEND_MAX,
-    _cache_catalog,
-    _cached_catalog,
-    _fetch_deepinfra_pricing,
-    _fetch_novita_pricing,
-    _format_price_per_mtok,
-    _pricing_auth_fingerprint,
-    _pricing_cache,
-    _pricing_cache_retry_after,
-    _resolve_nous_pricing_credentials,
-    compute_sale_discount,
-    fetch_ai_gateway_pricing,
-    fetch_models_with_pricing,
-    _pricing_provider_cache_keys,
-    get_cached_nous_inference_base_url,
-    get_pricing_for_provider,
-    nous_policy_allowed_ids,
-    peek_cached_pricing,
-    pricing_cache_scope,
-    restrict_to_nous_policy)
-from hermes_cli.models_validate import validate_requested_model  # noqa: F401  (re-exported)
+    fetch_ollama_cloud_models)
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
diff --git a/hermes_cli/models_catalog_static.py b/hermes_cli/models_catalog_static.py
index 83d52ef965..c986e60db5 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/models_catalog_static.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/models_catalog_static.py
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 """Static provider/model catalog tables (data only — no network).
 
 Curated per-provider model lists, the canonical provider registry, display groups and alias
-maps. Split out of ``hermes_cli.models``, which re-imports every name so
-``hermes_cli.models.<name>`` keeps resolving (and monkeypatching) as before.
+maps. Split out of ``hermes_cli.models``.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
diff --git a/hermes_cli/models_local.py b/hermes_cli/models_local.py
index 858df73b18..2ffc968e20 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/models_local.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/models_local.py
@@ -2,9 +2,8 @@
 
 Ollama (native ``/api/tags`` probe, request headers, base-url resolution), LM Studio
 (``/api/v1/models``, load-on-demand) and Ollama Cloud (live + models.dev merged catalog with a
-disk cache). Split out of ``hermes_cli.models``, which re-imports every name; origin helpers are
-looked up on ``hermes_cli.models`` at call time so ``patch("hermes_cli.models.<name>")`` mocks
-keep intercepting.
+disk cache). Split out of ``hermes_cli.models``; helpers still defined there are looked up on
+``hermes_cli.models`` at call time so ``patch("hermes_cli.models.<name>")`` mocks keep intercepting.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -96,7 +95,7 @@ def _get_ollama_base_url() -> str:
     the active provider is ollama, or custom AND the endpoint actually serves ``/api/tags``
     (otherwise the picker would probe an unrelated endpoint and hide the local catalog) →
     ``OLLAMA_HOST`` → Ollama's local default."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import _get_model_config_dict, should_use_ollama_native_catalog
+    from hermes_cli.models import _get_model_config_dict
     configured = _configured_ollama_base_url()
     if configured:
         return configured
@@ -152,7 +151,6 @@ def _get_ollama_native_headers(base_url: Optional[str], *, api_key: Optional[str
     """Ollama credentials and headers for one endpoint origin. Configured headers apply only when
     *base_url* shares the configured Ollama root; an explicit *api_key* replaces any configured
     Authorization variant rather than inheriting it."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import _get_ollama_request_headers
     configured_base = _configured_ollama_base_url()
     explicit_key = str(api_key or "").strip()
     configured_matches = bool(configured_base and base_url and _same_ollama_native_root(base_url, configured_base))
@@ -260,7 +258,6 @@ def fetch_ollama_local_models(
     headers: Optional[dict[str, str]] = None,
 ) -> Optional[list[str]]:
     """Fetch local Ollama-compatible models, preserving probe failure as ``None``."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import probe_ollama_local_models
     return probe_ollama_local_models(base_url, timeout, headers=headers)
 
 
@@ -295,7 +292,6 @@ def should_use_ollama_native_catalog(
     Ollama's default port actually serves ``/api/tags``. (Bare ``ollama`` is normalized to
     ``custom`` elsewhere so runtime paths share the OpenAI client, but ``/api/tags`` is the
     authoritative local list; other custom endpoints keep the ``/models`` probe.)"""
-    from hermes_cli.models import probe_ollama_local_models
     requested = str(provider or "").strip().lower()
     root = _root_for_ollama_native_api(base_url or "")
     if root:
@@ -342,7 +338,7 @@ def _ollama_local_catalog(force_refresh: bool) -> list[str]:
     """Catalog for the raw ``ollama`` provider: native ``/api/tags`` when the endpoint is a real
     Ollama server, else the OpenAI-style ``/v1/models`` of the configured gateway (incl. Ollama
     Cloud)."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import _get_ollama_base_url, _get_ollama_native_headers, _get_provider_config_dict, fetch_api_models, fetch_ollama_local_models, should_use_ollama_native_catalog
+    from hermes_cli.models import _get_provider_config_dict, fetch_api_models
     if force_refresh:
         _OLLAMA_LOCAL_MODELS_CACHE.clear()
         _OLLAMA_LOCAL_PROBE_FAILURE_CACHE.clear()
@@ -413,7 +409,6 @@ def _lmstudio_fetch_raw_models(
 
 def _lmstudio_raw_models_or_none(api_key, base_url, timeout) -> Optional[list[dict]]:
     """``_lmstudio_fetch_raw_models`` with every failure (incl. AuthError) collapsed to None."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import _lmstudio_fetch_raw_models
     try:
         return _lmstudio_fetch_raw_models(api_key=api_key, base_url=base_url, timeout=timeout)
     except Exception:
@@ -435,7 +430,6 @@ def probe_lmstudio_models(
     """Chat-capable LM Studio model keys — a valid empty list when the server is reachable but has
     no non-embedding models; ``None`` on network errors, malformed responses, or bad base URLs.
     Raises ``AuthError`` on HTTP 401/403 so token issues surface separately from reachability."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import _lmstudio_fetch_raw_models
     raw_models = _lmstudio_fetch_raw_models(api_key=api_key, base_url=base_url, timeout=timeout)
     if raw_models is None:
         return None
@@ -457,7 +451,6 @@ def fetch_lmstudio_models(
 ) -> list[str]:
     """LM Studio chat-capable model keys; ``[]`` when unreachable/malformed. Raises ``AuthError`` on
     HTTP 401/403 so callers can tell a wrong ``LM_API_KEY`` from an unreachable server."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import probe_lmstudio_models
     return probe_lmstudio_models(api_key=api_key, base_url=base_url, timeout=timeout) or []
 
 
diff --git a/hermes_cli/models_pricing.py b/hermes_cli/models_pricing.py
index 0a8d17e51a..a87652fea9 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/models_pricing.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/models_pricing.py
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@
 
 OpenRouter-compatible ``/v1/models`` pricing fetch with a per-endpoint/per-credential cache,
 Nous Portal sale chrome and org-policy filtering, and the Vercel AI Gateway / Novita / Fireworks /
-DeepInfra pricing adapters. Split out of ``hermes_cli.models``, which re-imports every name;
-origin helpers and the cache dicts are looked up on ``hermes_cli.models`` at call time so
-``patch("hermes_cli.models.<name>")`` mocks keep intercepting.
+DeepInfra pricing adapters. Split out of ``hermes_cli.models``; helpers still defined there are
+looked up on ``hermes_cli.models`` at call time so ``patch("hermes_cli.models.<name>")`` mocks keep
+intercepting.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@ _pricing_cache_retry_after: dict[str, float] = {}
 
 def _cached_catalog(cache_key: str) -> Optional[dict[str, dict[str, Any]]]:
     """The cached catalog for *cache_key*, or None to go fetch it."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import _pricing_cache, _pricing_cache_retry_after
     cached = _pricing_cache.get(cache_key)
     if cached is None:
         return None
@@ -53,7 +52,6 @@ def _cache_catalog(
     """Cache a catalog result, giving an empty one an expiry. *ttl_seconds* expires a non-empty
     result too — only for a catalog whose contents depend on server-side state the client cannot
     observe (an org's model policy can change while a long-lived process holds the entry)."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import _pricing_cache, _pricing_cache_retry_after
     _pricing_cache[cache_key] = result
     if not result:
         _pricing_cache_retry_after[cache_key] = time.monotonic() + _FAILED_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS
@@ -84,7 +82,6 @@ def peek_cached_pricing(base_url: str) -> dict[str, dict[str, Any]]:
     """Pricing already cached for *base_url* (with or without ``/v1``), or ``{}``; never fetches.
     Prefers an authenticated catalog, scanning newest first (callers hold no credential) and
     skipping expired entries so a rotated credential does not answer from its predecessor's."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import _pricing_cache
     root = _strip_v1((base_url or "").rstrip("/"))
     authed_prefix = root + _PRICING_AUTH_KEY_PREFIX
     for key in reversed(list(_pricing_cache)):
@@ -317,7 +314,6 @@ _NOUS_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS = 300.0
 
 def _fetch_nous_pricing(api_key: str, base_url: str, *, force_refresh: bool) -> dict[str, dict[str, Any]]:
     """Shared by pricing and policy lookups so both read one cache entry."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import fetch_models_with_pricing
     return fetch_models_with_pricing(
         api_key=api_key,
         base_url=base_url,
@@ -332,7 +328,6 @@ def nous_policy_allowed_ids(*, force_refresh: bool = False) -> Optional[set[str]
     which omits policy-blocked rows), or ``None`` to not filter: no policy (or a token too old to
     say), an anonymous read (unfiltered catalog), or an empty read (a fetch failure, not an org
     that may reach nothing)."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import _resolve_nous_pricing_credentials
     try:
         from hermes_cli.nous_account import nous_policy_present
 
@@ -373,12 +368,11 @@ def restrict_to_nous_policy(
 
 
 def _remember_provider_cache_key(provider: str, cache_key: str) -> None:
-    from hermes_cli.models import _pricing_profile_key, _pricing_provider_cache_keys
+    from hermes_cli.models import _pricing_profile_key
     _pricing_provider_cache_keys[(_pricing_profile_key(), provider)] = cache_key
 
 
 def _fetch_openrouter_pricing(*, force_refresh: bool = False) -> dict[str, dict[str, Any]]:
-    from hermes_cli.models import fetch_models_with_pricing
     _remember_provider_cache_key("openrouter", _OPENROUTER_PRICING_BASE)
     return fetch_models_with_pricing(
         api_key=_resolve_openrouter_api_key(),
@@ -388,13 +382,11 @@ def _fetch_openrouter_pricing(*, force_refresh: bool = False) -> dict[str, dict[
 
 
 def _fetch_ai_gateway_pricing_for_provider(*, force_refresh: bool = False) -> dict[str, dict[str, Any]]:
-    from hermes_cli.models import fetch_ai_gateway_pricing
     _remember_provider_cache_key("ai-gateway", _ai_gateway_pricing_scope())
     return fetch_ai_gateway_pricing(force_refresh=force_refresh)
 
 
 def _fetch_novita_pricing_for_provider(*, force_refresh: bool = False) -> dict[str, dict[str, Any]]:
-    from hermes_cli.models import _fetch_novita_pricing
     _remember_provider_cache_key("novita", _novita_pricing_scope())
     return _fetch_novita_pricing(force_refresh=force_refresh)
 
@@ -405,7 +397,6 @@ def _fetch_fireworks_pricing_for_provider(*, force_refresh: bool = False) -> dic
 
 
 def _fetch_nous_pricing_for_provider(*, force_refresh: bool = False) -> dict[str, dict[str, Any]]:
-    from hermes_cli.models import _resolve_nous_pricing_credentials
     api_key, base_url = _resolve_nous_pricing_credentials()
     if not base_url:
         return {}
@@ -453,9 +444,7 @@ def pricing_cache_scope(provider: str, *, current_provider: str = "", current_ba
     """The current endpoint identity a provider's pricing cache is keyed on. Resolves local configuration
     only, never fetches: picker prewarm single-flight uses it so an endpoint rotation can start a new
     worker while the previous endpoint is still slow or unreachable."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import (
-        _deepinfra_catalog_url, _pricing_profile_key, _pricing_provider_cache_keys, normalize_provider,
-    )
+    from hermes_cli.models import _deepinfra_catalog_url, _pricing_profile_key, normalize_provider
     normalized = normalize_provider(provider)
     static = _STATIC_PRICING_SCOPES.get(normalized)
     if static:
@@ -473,12 +462,7 @@ def pricing_cache_scope(provider: str, *, current_provider: str = "", current_ba
             return env_base.rstrip("/").removesuffix("/v1")
         if normalize_provider(current_provider) == "nous" and current_base_url:
             return current_base_url.rstrip("/").removesuffix("/v1")
-        # Call-time lookup through the facade: tests (and plugins) patch
-        # ``hermes_cli.models.get_cached_nous_inference_base_url``; a bare module-global read here would
-        # silently bypass the patch and fall back to the default endpoint.
-        from hermes_cli.models import get_cached_nous_inference_base_url as _persisted_nous_base
-
-        persisted_base = _persisted_nous_base()
+        persisted_base = get_cached_nous_inference_base_url()
         if persisted_base:
             return persisted_base
         return _pricing_provider_cache_keys.get((_pricing_profile_key(), normalized), _DEFAULT_NOUS_INFERENCE_BASE)
@@ -487,10 +471,7 @@ def pricing_cache_scope(provider: str, *, current_provider: str = "", current_ba
 
 def _cached_only_pricing(normalized: str) -> dict[str, dict[str, str]]:
     """Process-resident pricing for *normalized* without any provider I/O."""
-    from hermes_cli.models import (
-        _deepinfra_catalog_cache, _deepinfra_catalog_url, _fetch_deepinfra_pricing, _pricing_profile_key,
-        _pricing_provider_cache_keys,
-    )
+    from hermes_cli.models import _deepinfra_catalog_cache, _deepinfra_catalog_url, _pricing_profile_key
     if normalized == "deepinfra":
         cache_key, _url = _deepinfra_catalog_url()
         return _fetch_deepinfra_pricing() if cache_key in _deepinfra_catalog_cache else {}
diff --git a/hermes_cli/models_reasoning_caps.py b/hermes_cli/models_reasoning_caps.py
index 7df6de8924..459be653c5 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/models_reasoning_caps.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/models_reasoning_caps.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 """Per-model reasoning capabilities from OpenRouter-schema ``/v1/models`` catalogs.
 
-Split out of ``hermes_cli.models``; every public/patched name is re-imported there. OpenRouter and
+Split out of ``hermes_cli.models``. OpenRouter and
 Nous Portal share one implementation parametrized by :class:`_CapsSource`; the per-source module
 globals (``_openrouter_reasoning_caps_cache``, ``_nous_caps_disk_checked``, ...) stay defined on
 ``hermes_cli.models`` — tests reset them there — and are read/written by attribute name.
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ def _read_reasoning_caps_disk() -> dict[str, Any]:
 
 def _load_reasoning_caps_disk(url: str) -> tuple[Optional[Caps], float]:
     """Return ``(caps, age_seconds)`` for *url*, or ``(None, 0.0)``."""
-    entry = _origin()._read_reasoning_caps_disk().get(url)
+    entry = _read_reasoning_caps_disk().get(url)
     caps = entry.get("caps") if isinstance(entry, dict) else None
     if not isinstance(caps, dict) or not caps:
         return None, 0.0
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ def _save_reasoning_caps_disk(url: str, caps: Caps) -> None:
     """Merge *url*'s catalog into the shared disk mirror, atomically."""
     from hermes_cli.models import _write_json_cache
     try:
-        data = _origin()._read_reasoning_caps_disk()
+        data = _read_reasoning_caps_disk()
         data[url] = {"ts": time.time(), "caps": caps}
         _write_json_cache(_reasoning_caps_disk_path(), data, indent=0, separators=(",", ":"))
     except Exception as exc:
@@ -250,16 +250,23 @@ _OPENROUTER_CAPS = _CapsSource(
 _NOUS_CAPS = _CapsSource(
     "_nous_reasoning_caps_cache", "_nous_reasoning_caps_failed_at",
     "_nous_caps_disk_checked", "_nous_caps_warm_started",
-    lambda: _origin().nous_catalog_url(),
+    lambda: nous_catalog_url(),
 )
 
 
 def nous_catalog_url() -> str:
     """The Portal ``/v1/models`` URL for the endpoint we actually talk to (``NOUS_INFERENCE_BASE_URL``
     → resolved credential base → prod), so a staging profile reads staging's capabilities."""
-    return f"{_origin()._resolve_nous_pricing_credentials()[1]}/v1/models"
+    from hermes_cli.models_pricing import _resolve_nous_pricing_credentials
+    return f"{_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials()[1]}/v1/models"
 
 
+# Live-catalog metadata first (ported from PrimeIntellect-ai/prime-agent#1258): OpenRouter's /v1/models
+# entries advertise reasoning support via supported_parameters + a reasoning object, which covers every
+# routed vendor without a hand-maintained prefix list. The static prefix allowlist repeatedly went
+# stale one vendor at a time (nvidia/ missing → #75386; same class as tencent/, xiaomi/ additions before
+# it) — metadata makes new vendors work without a code change. One catalog fetch per process, cached;
+# unknown (catalog unreachable / unlisted model) falls back to the static list.
 def openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities(
     model_id: Optional[str], *, timeout: float = 6.0, allow_fetch: bool = False,
 ) -> Optional[dict[str, Any]]:
diff --git a/hermes_cli/models_validate.py b/hermes_cli/models_validate.py
index 31466cf59e..2adc43c0b2 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/models_validate.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/models_validate.py
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 """Validate a requested ``/model`` value against the active provider's catalog.
 
-Split out of ``hermes_cli.models``; :func:`validate_requested_model` is re-imported there. Every
-catalog fetcher this module calls is looked up on ``hermes_cli.models`` at call time (``_m.<name>``)
-so existing ``patch("hermes_cli.models.<name>")`` mocks keep intercepting.
+Split out of ``hermes_cli.models``. Catalog fetchers defined in ``hermes_cli.models`` are looked up
+there at call time (``_m.<name>``) so ``patch("hermes_cli.models.<name>")`` mocks keep intercepting;
+local-server probes are looked up on ``hermes_cli.models_local`` (``_ml.<name>``) the same way.
 
 Every provider branch returns a verdict dict (see :func:`_verdict`) or ``None`` for "not decided
 here — keep walking the ladder". The ladder ORDER is behavior (see ``_LADDER``).
@@ -170,13 +170,13 @@ def _parse_openrouter_preset(req: _Request) -> Optional[dict[str, Any]]:
 
 
 def _validate_lmstudio(req: _Request) -> dict[str, Any]:
-    from hermes_cli import models as _m
+    from hermes_cli import models_local as _ml
     from hermes_cli.auth import AuthError
 
     # probe_lmstudio_models distinguishes None (unreachable / malformed) from [] (reachable,
     # nothing chat-capable loaded); fetch_lmstudio_models collapses both to [].
     try:
-        models = _m.probe_lmstudio_models(api_key=req.api_key, base_url=req.base_url)
+        models = _ml.probe_lmstudio_models(api_key=req.api_key, base_url=req.base_url)
     except AuthError as exc:
         return _reject(f"{exc} Set `LM_API_KEY` (or update it) to match the server's bearer token.")
     if models is None:
@@ -194,10 +194,11 @@ def _ollama_probe_headers(req: _Request) -> dict[str, str]:
     when the probed endpoint is the configured one (never leak them to a different host). Caller
     headers win; a caller ``api_key`` becomes the Authorization header unless the caller sent one."""
     from hermes_cli import models as _m
+    from hermes_cli import models_local as _ml
     from hermes_cli.models_local import _configured_ollama_base_url, _drop_authorization
 
     configured_base = _configured_ollama_base_url()
-    configured_allowed = not configured_base or _m._same_ollama_native_root(req.base_url or "", configured_base)
+    configured_allowed = not configured_base or _ml._same_ollama_native_root(req.base_url or "", configured_base)
     configured = _m._get_ollama_native_headers(req.base_url, api_key=req.api_key) if configured_allowed else {}
     if req.headers is None:
         return configured
@@ -215,17 +216,18 @@ def _validate_ollama_native(req: _Request) -> Optional[dict[str, Any]]:
     looks like a local Ollama server. Also resolves ``base_url`` for the raw ``ollama`` provider,
     which later branches (custom) rely on."""
     from hermes_cli import models as _m
+    from hermes_cli import models_local as _ml
 
     if str(req.provider or "").strip().lower() == "ollama" and not req.base_url:
         req.base_url = _m._get_ollama_base_url()
     headers = _ollama_probe_headers(req)
-    if not _m.should_use_ollama_native_catalog(req.provider, req.base_url, headers=headers):
+    if not _ml.should_use_ollama_native_catalog(req.provider, req.base_url, headers=headers):
         return None
-    models = _m.probe_ollama_local_models(req.base_url, headers=headers)
+    models = _ml.probe_ollama_local_models(req.base_url, headers=headers)
     if models is None:
         # A failed native probe is not authoritative; fall back to the OpenAI-compatible catalog.
         models = _m.probe_api_models(
-            req.api_key, _m._normalize_openai_base_url(req.base_url), request_headers=headers,
+            req.api_key, _ml._normalize_openai_base_url(req.base_url), request_headers=headers,
         ).get("models")
     if models is None:
         return _soft_accept(
diff --git a/hermes_cli/web_routers/models.py b/hermes_cli/web_routers/models.py
index 1fa483eda9..c116e17619 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/web_routers/models.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/web_routers/models.py
@@ -131,10 +131,11 @@ async def get_model_options(
 
 def _nous_recommended_default() -> dict:
     from hermes_cli import models as m
+    from hermes_cli import models_pricing as mp
     from hermes_cli.auth import get_provider_auth_state
 
     model_ids = m.get_curated_nous_model_ids()
-    pricing = m.get_pricing_for_provider("nous") or {}
+    pricing = mp.get_pricing_for_provider("nous") or {}
     free_tier = m.check_nous_free_tier(force_fresh=True)
 
     try:
@@ -145,10 +146,10 @@ def _nous_recommended_default() -> dict:
     # This endpoint picks the model a user lands on without choosing it, so an unreachable
     # one is worse than in a picker. Narrow to policy BEFORE the tier split, so a rescued
     # id still has to pass the free/paid predicate.
-    policy_allowed = m.nous_policy_allowed_ids()
+    policy_allowed = mp.nous_policy_allowed_ids()
     union = m.union_with_portal_free_recommendations if free_tier else m.union_with_portal_paid_recommendations
     model_ids, pricing = union(model_ids, pricing, portal_url)
-    model_ids = m.restrict_to_nous_policy(model_ids, policy_allowed, rescue_empty=True)
+    model_ids = mp.restrict_to_nous_policy(model_ids, policy_allowed, rescue_empty=True)
     if free_tier:
         model_ids, _unavailable = m.partition_nous_models_by_tier(model_ids, pricing, free_tier=True)
 
diff --git a/plugins/model-providers/nous/__init__.py b/plugins/model-providers/nous/__init__.py
index a6413d1f0b..1c28cef37f 100644
--- a/plugins/model-providers/nous/__init__.py
+++ b/plugins/model-providers/nous/__init__.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ class NousProfile(ProviderProfile):
         """True when ``reasoning: {enabled: false}`` would 400 on *model*. Cache-only catalog
         lookup; unknown/cold (warmer kicked) and no-reasoning routes both answer True (omit > 400)."""
         try:
-            from hermes_cli.models import nous_model_reasoning_capabilities, warm_nous_reasoning_caps_async
+            from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import nous_model_reasoning_capabilities, warm_nous_reasoning_caps_async
 
             caps = nous_model_reasoning_capabilities(model)
             if caps is None:
diff --git a/plugins/model-providers/openrouter/__init__.py b/plugins/model-providers/openrouter/__init__.py
index 51bf812fc9..7040eb30fd 100644
--- a/plugins/model-providers/openrouter/__init__.py
+++ b/plugins/model-providers/openrouter/__init__.py
@@ -64,7 +64,8 @@ class OpenRouterProfile(ProviderProfile):
         if not effort and not disabled:
             return cfg
         try:
-            from hermes_cli.models import clamp_reasoning_effort_to_supported, openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities
+            from hermes_cli.models import clamp_reasoning_effort_to_supported
+            from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities
 
             caps = openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities(model)
             if not caps or not caps.get("supports_reasoning"):
diff --git a/plugins/platforms/telegram/adapter.py b/plugins/platforms/telegram/adapter.py
index 4c7efd5a9f..9d4737371e 100644
--- a/plugins/platforms/telegram/adapter.py
+++ b/plugins/platforms/telegram/adapter.py
@@ -3958,7 +3958,7 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         """Paginated top-level provider keyboard folding provider families (Kimi/Moonshot, MiniMax, xAI…)
         into one ``mpg:<gid>`` button via the shared ``group_providers`` fold; singles are ``mp:<slug>``."""
         try:
-            from hermes_cli.models import group_providers
+            from hermes_cli.models_catalog_static import group_providers
         except Exception:
             group_providers = None
         by_slug = {p.get("slug"): p for p in providers}
@@ -4117,7 +4117,7 @@ class TelegramAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
         elif data.startswith("mpg:"):  # provider group selected: show member providers
             group_id = data[4:]
             try:
-                from hermes_cli.models import PROVIDER_GROUPS
+                from hermes_cli.models_catalog_static import PROVIDER_GROUPS
                 _label, _desc, member_slugs = PROVIDER_GROUPS.get(group_id, ("", "", []))
             except Exception:
                 _label, member_slugs = "", []
diff --git a/run_agent.py b/run_agent.py
index 63a76014cd..1cc624a452 100644
--- a/run_agent.py
+++ b/run_agent.py
@@ -447,7 +447,7 @@ class AIAgent(
         if (getattr(self, "lmstudio_load_mode", "explicit") or "explicit").strip().lower() == "jit":
             logger.debug("LM Studio explicit preload skipped: lmstudio_load_mode=jit")
             return None
-        from hermes_cli.models import ensure_lmstudio_model_loaded
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import ensure_lmstudio_model_loaded
 
         if config_context_length is None:
             config_context_length = getattr(self, "_config_context_length", None)
diff --git a/tests/acp/test_named_provider_catalogs.py b/tests/acp/test_named_provider_catalogs.py
index eb37a2d0ec..811b8214cd 100644
--- a/tests/acp/test_named_provider_catalogs.py
+++ b/tests/acp/test_named_provider_catalogs.py
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ class TestNamedCustomProviderCatalogs:
             }
         )
         with patch("hermes_cli.config.load_config", return_value=cfg), patch(
-            "hermes_cli.models.should_use_ollama_native_catalog",
+            "hermes_cli.models_local.should_use_ollama_native_catalog",
             return_value=True,
         ), patch(
             "hermes_cli.model_switch_providers._fetch_picker_live_models",
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ class TestNamedCustomProviderCatalogs:
             ]
         )
         with patch("hermes_cli.config.load_config", return_value=cfg), patch(
-            "hermes_cli.models.should_use_ollama_native_catalog",
+            "hermes_cli.models_local.should_use_ollama_native_catalog",
             return_value=True,
         ), patch(
             "hermes_cli.model_switch_providers._fetch_picker_live_models",
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ class TestNamedCustomProviderCatalogs:
         from hermes_cli.model_switch_providers import _NativePickerModelList
 
         with patch("hermes_cli.config.load_config", return_value=cfg), patch(
-            "hermes_cli.models.should_use_ollama_native_catalog",
+            "hermes_cli.models_local.should_use_ollama_native_catalog",
             return_value=True,
         ), patch(
             "hermes_cli.model_switch_providers._fetch_picker_live_models",
diff --git a/tests/agent/test_auxiliary_client.py b/tests/agent/test_auxiliary_client.py
index 7bcb5f3fba..18c7c531b1 100644
--- a/tests/agent/test_auxiliary_client.py
+++ b/tests/agent/test_auxiliary_client.py
@@ -4772,7 +4772,7 @@ class TestFastModelTier:
             "~openai/gpt-mini-latest": {},
             "stepfun/step-3.7-flash:free": {},
         }
-        with patch("hermes_cli.models.fetch_models_with_pricing", return_value=catalog):
+        with patch("hermes_cli.models_pricing.fetch_models_with_pricing", return_value=catalog):
             assert ac._fast_model_from_catalog("nous") == "~openai/gpt-mini-latest"
 
     def test_catalog_match_skips_reasoning_batch_and_embedding_lookalikes(self):
@@ -4785,7 +4785,7 @@ class TestFastModelTier:
             "sentence-transformers/all-minilm-l6-v2": {},
             "google/gemini-3.6-flash": {},
         }
-        with patch("hermes_cli.models.fetch_models_with_pricing", return_value=catalog):
+        with patch("hermes_cli.models_pricing.fetch_models_with_pricing", return_value=catalog):
             assert ac._fast_model_from_catalog("nous") == "google/gemini-3.6-flash"
 
     def test_catalog_match_skips_the_non_chat_siblings_of_a_chat_model(self):
@@ -4799,7 +4799,7 @@ class TestFastModelTier:
             "openai/gpt-4o-mini-search-preview": {},
             "openai/gpt-4o-mini": {},
         }
-        with patch("hermes_cli.models.fetch_models_with_pricing", return_value=catalog):
+        with patch("hermes_cli.models_pricing.fetch_models_with_pricing", return_value=catalog):
             assert ac._fast_model_from_catalog("nous") == "openai/gpt-4o-mini"
 
     def test_catalog_match_takes_the_newest_of_a_family(self):
@@ -4816,7 +4816,7 @@ class TestFastModelTier:
             "openai/gpt-9-mini": {},
             "openai/gpt-10-mini": {},
         }
-        with patch("hermes_cli.models.fetch_models_with_pricing", return_value=catalog):
+        with patch("hermes_cli.models_pricing.fetch_models_with_pricing", return_value=catalog):
             assert ac._fast_model_from_catalog("nous") == "openai/gpt-10-mini"
 
     def test_catalog_fetch_is_authenticated(self):
@@ -4831,7 +4831,7 @@ class TestFastModelTier:
             "hermes_cli.auth.resolve_api_key_provider_credentials",
             return_value={"api_key": "sk-test", "base_url": "https://api.example.com/v1"},
         ), patch(
-            "hermes_cli.models.fetch_models_with_pricing", return_value={}
+            "hermes_cli.models_pricing.fetch_models_with_pricing", return_value={}
         ) as fetch:
             ac._fast_model_from_catalog("openai")
 
diff --git a/tests/agent/test_credits_policy.py b/tests/agent/test_credits_policy.py
index b03e9c28bb..231d900ec1 100644
--- a/tests/agent/test_credits_policy.py
+++ b/tests/agent/test_credits_policy.py
@@ -317,12 +317,11 @@ class TestIsFreeTierModel:
     def test_pricing_cache_peek_zero_priced_model(self, monkeypatch):
         from agent.credits_tracker import is_free_tier_model
         import hermes_cli.models as models_mod
+        from hermes_cli import models_pricing
 
         # The picker keys the cache on the pre-/v1 root (get_pricing_for_provider
         # strips a trailing /v1 before fetch_models_with_pricing).
-        monkeypatch.setattr(
-            models_mod,
-            "_pricing_cache",
+        monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_pricing_cache",
             {
                 "https://inference-api.nousresearch.com": {
                     "some/zero-priced": {"prompt": "0", "completion": "0"},
@@ -343,12 +342,13 @@ class TestIsFreeTierModel:
     def test_exception_fails_open_to_false(self, monkeypatch):
         from agent.credits_tracker import is_free_tier_model
         import hermes_cli.models as models_mod
+        from hermes_cli import models_pricing
 
         class _Exploding:
             def get(self, *_a, **_kw):
                 raise RuntimeError("boom")
 
-        monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_pricing_cache", _Exploding())
+        monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_pricing_cache", _Exploding())
         assert is_free_tier_model("some/model", "https://inference-api.nousresearch.com") is False
 
     def test_stealth_prefix_detected_as_free(self):
diff --git a/tests/cli/test_cli_provider_resolution.py b/tests/cli/test_cli_provider_resolution.py
index 959aed8b08..46336f95cc 100644
--- a/tests/cli/test_cli_provider_resolution.py
+++ b/tests/cli/test_cli_provider_resolution.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import pytest
 
 from hermes_cli.auth import AuthError
 from hermes_cli import main as hermes_main
+from hermes_cli import model_setup_flows
 
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -329,7 +330,7 @@ def test_model_flow_nous_does_not_restore_stale_custom_api_key(tmp_path, monkeyp
         "hermes_cli.models.get_curated_nous_model_ids",
         lambda: [selected_model],
     )
-    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models.get_pricing_for_provider", lambda provider: {})
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models_pricing.get_pricing_for_provider", lambda provider: {})
     monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models.check_nous_free_tier", lambda **kwargs: False)
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         "hermes_cli.models.union_with_portal_paid_recommendations",
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_ai_gateway_models.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_ai_gateway_models.py
index ba608fd08e..b08c98d192 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_ai_gateway_models.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_ai_gateway_models.py
@@ -9,12 +9,9 @@ import json
 from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
 
 from hermes_cli import models as models_module
-from hermes_cli.models import (
-    VERCEL_AI_GATEWAY_MODELS,
-    _ai_gateway_model_is_free,
-    fetch_ai_gateway_models,
-    fetch_ai_gateway_pricing,
-)
+from hermes_cli import models_pricing
+from hermes_cli.models import VERCEL_AI_GATEWAY_MODELS, _ai_gateway_model_is_free, fetch_ai_gateway_models
+from hermes_cli.models_pricing import fetch_ai_gateway_pricing
 
 
 def _mock_urlopen(payload):
@@ -29,7 +26,7 @@ def _mock_urlopen(payload):
 
 def _reset_caches():
     models_module._ai_gateway_catalog_cache = None
-    models_module._pricing_cache.clear()
+    models_pricing._pricing_cache.clear()
 
 
 def test_ai_gateway_pricing_translates_input_output_to_prompt_completion():
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_api_key_providers.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_api_key_providers.py
index 18fd8dd1fb..8b59e337f3 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_api_key_providers.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_api_key_providers.py
@@ -902,9 +902,10 @@ class TestNovitaProvider:
     def test_novita_pricing_cache(self, monkeypatch):
         """_fetch_novita_pricing should cache results in _pricing_cache."""
         from hermes_cli import models as models_mod
+        from hermes_cli import models_pricing
         monkeypatch.setenv("NOVITA_API_KEY", "sk-test-key")
         monkeypatch.setenv("NOVITA_BASE_URL", "https://api.novita.ai/openai/v1")
-        models_mod._pricing_cache.pop("https://api.novita.ai/openai/v1", None)
+        models_pricing._pricing_cache.pop("https://api.novita.ai/openai/v1", None)
 
         call_count = {"n": 0}
         fake_payload = {
@@ -937,17 +938,17 @@ class TestNovitaProvider:
         )
 
         # First call hits the network.
-        first = models_mod._fetch_novita_pricing()
+        first = models_pricing._fetch_novita_pricing()
         assert "x/y" in first
         assert call_count["n"] == 1
 
         # Second call returns cached result without re-hitting the network.
-        second = models_mod._fetch_novita_pricing()
+        second = models_pricing._fetch_novita_pricing()
         assert second == first
         assert call_count["n"] == 1
 
         # force_refresh bypasses the cache.
-        models_mod._fetch_novita_pricing(force_refresh=True)
+        models_pricing._fetch_novita_pricing(force_refresh=True)
         assert call_count["n"] == 2
 
 
@@ -1004,6 +1005,7 @@ def _deepinfra_cache_isolation(monkeypatch):
     a later test's fetch within the failure TTL.
     """
     import hermes_cli.models as _models_mod
+    from hermes_cli import models_pricing
     monkeypatch.setattr(_models_mod, "_deepinfra_catalog_cache", {})
     monkeypatch.setattr(_models_mod, "_deepinfra_catalog_neg_cache", {})
     yield
@@ -1030,6 +1032,7 @@ class TestFetchDeepInfraModels:
                 ]}).encode()
 
         import hermes_cli.models as models
+        from hermes_cli import models_pricing
         monkeypatch.setattr(
             models, "_urlopen_model_catalog_request", lambda *a, **kw: _Resp()
         )
@@ -1047,6 +1050,7 @@ class TestFetchDeepInfraModels:
 
     def test_catalog_uses_credential_safe_opener(self, monkeypatch):
         import hermes_cli.models as models
+        from hermes_cli import models_pricing
 
         seen = {}
 
@@ -1119,6 +1123,7 @@ class TestDeepInfraTagFiltering:
         ]}
         from hermes_cli.models import _fetch_deepinfra_models_by_tag
         import hermes_cli.models as _m
+        from hermes_cli import models_pricing
 
         for surface in ("chat", "image-gen", "tts", "stt", "embed"):
             monkeypatch.setattr(
@@ -1171,12 +1176,13 @@ class TestDeepInfraPricingFetcher:
             {"id": "vendor/model-image", "metadata": {"tags": ["image-gen"], "pricing": {"per_image_unit": 0.05}}},
         ]}
         import hermes_cli.models as models
+        from hermes_cli import models_pricing
         monkeypatch.setattr(
             models,
             "_urlopen_model_catalog_request",
             _make_urlopen_returning(payload),
         )
-        from hermes_cli.models import get_pricing_for_provider
+        from hermes_cli.models_pricing import get_pricing_for_provider
 
         # get_pricing_for_provider → _fetch_deepinfra_pricing dispatch path
         result = get_pricing_for_provider("deepinfra")
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_auth_nous_provider.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_auth_nous_provider.py
index a1772fd326..b093e049b0 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_auth_nous_provider.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_auth_nous_provider.py
@@ -500,6 +500,7 @@ class TestLoginNousSkipKeepsCurrent:
         """Patch OAuth + model-list + prompt so _login_nous doesn't hit network."""
         import hermes_cli.auth as auth_mod
         import hermes_cli.models as models_mod
+        from hermes_cli import models_pricing
         import hermes_cli.nous_subscription as ns
 
         fake_auth_state = {
@@ -518,7 +519,7 @@ class TestLoginNousSkipKeepsCurrent:
             auth_mod, "_prompt_model_selection",
             lambda *a, **kw: prompt_returns,
         )
-        monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "get_pricing_for_provider", lambda p: {})
+        monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "get_pricing_for_provider", lambda p: {})
         free_tier_calls = []
 
         def _check_nous_free_tier(**kwargs):
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_custom_provider_model_switch.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_custom_provider_model_switch.py
index f7d0099543..acbfe0b89a 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_custom_provider_model_switch.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_custom_provider_model_switch.py
@@ -459,7 +459,7 @@ class TestCustomProviderDiscoverModels:
         }
 
         with patch("hermes_cli.models.fetch_api_models") as mock_fetch, \
-             patch("hermes_cli.models.fetch_ollama_local_models") as mock_ollama, \
+             patch("hermes_cli.models_local.fetch_ollama_local_models") as mock_ollama, \
              patch("hermes_cli.curses_ui.curses_radiolist", side_effect=ImportError), \
              patch("builtins.input", return_value="1"), \
              patch("builtins.print"):
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_inventory_pricing.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_inventory_pricing.py
index d626593f34..6168632547 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_inventory_pricing.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_inventory_pricing.py
@@ -10,10 +10,11 @@ from time import monotonic
 
 import hermes_cli.inventory as inv
 import hermes_cli.models as models_mod
+from hermes_cli import models_pricing
 
 
 def _patch_pricing(monkeypatch, *, free_tier, pricing, unavailable=None):
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "get_pricing_for_provider", lambda slug, **kw: pricing.get(slug, {}))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "get_pricing_for_provider", lambda slug, **kw: pricing.get(slug, {}))
     monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "check_nous_free_tier", lambda *, force_fresh=False: free_tier)
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         models_mod, "partition_nous_models_by_tier",
@@ -125,7 +126,7 @@ def test_model_options_cold_pricing_fetch_runs_off_the_request_path(monkeypatch)
         "is_user_defined": False,
         "source": "built-in",
     }
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "get_pricing_for_provider", fake_pricing)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "get_pricing_for_provider", fake_pricing)
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         "hermes_cli.model_switch.list_authenticated_providers",
         lambda **_kwargs: [row],
@@ -160,8 +161,7 @@ def test_model_options_cold_pricing_fetch_runs_off_the_request_path(monkeypatch)
 
 def test_cold_nous_entitlement_keeps_models_unselectable(monkeypatch):
     """A cold nonblocking response must not expose paid models fail-open."""
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        models_mod, "get_pricing_for_provider", lambda *_args, **_kwargs: {}
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "get_pricing_for_provider", lambda *_args, **_kwargs: {}
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "get_cached_nous_free_tier", lambda: None)
     rows = [{"slug": "nous", "models": ["free/model", "paid/model"]}]
@@ -288,12 +288,10 @@ def test_prewarm_endpoint_rotation_starts_a_new_worker(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
         endpoint_b: {"b/model": {"prompt": "3", "completion": "4"}},
     }
     monkeypatch.setattr(inv, "_pricing_prewarm_threads", {})
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_pricing_cache", {})
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_pricing_cache_retry_after", {})
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_pricing_provider_cache_keys", {})
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        models_mod,
-        "_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials",
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_pricing_cache", {})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_pricing_cache_retry_after", {})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_pricing_provider_cache_keys", {})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials",
         lambda: ("", active_endpoint["value"]),
     )
 
@@ -301,13 +299,13 @@ def test_prewarm_endpoint_rotation_starts_a_new_worker(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
         started[base_url].set()
         if base_url == endpoint_a:
             release_a.wait(timeout=5)
-        return models_mod._cache_catalog(base_url, expected[base_url])
+        return models_pricing._cache_catalog(base_url, expected[base_url])
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "fetch_models_with_pricing", fetch_pricing)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "fetch_models_with_pricing", fetch_pricing)
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         inv,
         "_apply_pricing",
-        lambda _rows: models_mod.get_pricing_for_provider("nous"),
+        lambda _rows: models_pricing.get_pricing_for_provider("nous"),
     )
 
     token = set_hermes_home_override(str(tmp_path / "profile"))
@@ -335,7 +333,7 @@ def test_prewarm_endpoint_rotation_starts_a_new_worker(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
         assert started[endpoint_b].wait(timeout=1)
         threads[1].join(timeout=2)
         assert not threads[1].is_alive()
-        assert models_mod.get_pricing_for_provider(
+        assert models_pricing.get_pricing_for_provider(
             "nous", cached_only=True
         ) == expected[endpoint_b]
     finally:
@@ -363,17 +361,13 @@ def test_prewarm_nous_rotation_when_another_provider_is_current(tmp_path, monkey
         endpoint_b: {"b/model": {"prompt": "3", "completion": "4"}},
     }
     monkeypatch.setattr(inv, "_pricing_prewarm_threads", {})
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_pricing_cache", {})
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_pricing_cache_retry_after", {})
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_pricing_provider_cache_keys", {})
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        models_mod,
-        "get_cached_nous_inference_base_url",
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_pricing_cache", {})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_pricing_cache_retry_after", {})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_pricing_provider_cache_keys", {})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "get_cached_nous_inference_base_url",
         lambda: active_endpoint["value"],
     )
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        models_mod,
-        "_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials",
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials",
         lambda: ("", active_endpoint["value"]),
     )
 
@@ -381,13 +375,13 @@ def test_prewarm_nous_rotation_when_another_provider_is_current(tmp_path, monkey
         started[base_url].set()
         if base_url == endpoint_a:
             release_a.wait(timeout=5)
-        return models_mod._cache_catalog(base_url, expected[base_url])
+        return models_pricing._cache_catalog(base_url, expected[base_url])
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "fetch_models_with_pricing", fetch_pricing)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "fetch_models_with_pricing", fetch_pricing)
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         inv,
         "_apply_pricing",
-        lambda _rows: models_mod.get_pricing_for_provider("nous"),
+        lambda _rows: models_pricing.get_pricing_for_provider("nous"),
     )
 
     token = set_hermes_home_override(str(tmp_path / "profile"))
@@ -415,7 +409,7 @@ def test_prewarm_nous_rotation_when_another_provider_is_current(tmp_path, monkey
         assert started[endpoint_b].wait(timeout=1)
         threads[1].join(timeout=2)
         assert not threads[1].is_alive()
-        assert models_mod.get_pricing_for_provider(
+        assert models_pricing.get_pricing_for_provider(
             "nous", cached_only=True
         ) == expected[endpoint_b]
     finally:
@@ -430,16 +424,14 @@ def test_cached_only_pricing_returns_a_warm_value_without_fetching(monkeypatch):
     """Cache-only picker reads preserve pricing once the prewarm completes."""
     cache_key = "https://openrouter.ai/api"
     expected = {"vendor/model": {"prompt": "0.000001", "completion": "0.000002"}}
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_pricing_cache", {cache_key: expected})
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_pricing_cache_retry_after", {})
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_pricing_provider_cache_keys", {})
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        models_mod,
-        "fetch_models_with_pricing",
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_pricing_cache", {cache_key: expected})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_pricing_cache_retry_after", {})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_pricing_provider_cache_keys", {})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "fetch_models_with_pricing",
         lambda **_kwargs: (_ for _ in ()).throw(AssertionError("network fetch started")),
     )
 
-    assert models_mod.get_pricing_for_provider(
+    assert models_pricing.get_pricing_for_provider(
         "openrouter", cached_only=True
     ) == expected
 
@@ -455,30 +447,24 @@ def test_cached_only_dynamic_pricing_is_profile_scoped(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
     endpoint_b = "https://profile-b.example"
     expected_a = {"a/model": {"prompt": "1", "completion": "2"}}
     expected_b = {"b/model": {"prompt": "3", "completion": "4"}}
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        models_mod,
-        "_pricing_cache",
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_pricing_cache",
         {endpoint_a: expected_a, endpoint_b: expected_b},
     )
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_pricing_cache_retry_after", {})
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_pricing_provider_cache_keys", {})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_pricing_cache_retry_after", {})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_pricing_provider_cache_keys", {})
     active_endpoint = {"value": endpoint_a}
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        models_mod,
-        "_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials",
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials",
         lambda: ("", active_endpoint["value"]),
     )
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        models_mod,
-        "fetch_models_with_pricing",
-        lambda **kwargs: models_mod._pricing_cache[kwargs["base_url"]],
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "fetch_models_with_pricing",
+        lambda **kwargs: models_pricing._pricing_cache[kwargs["base_url"]],
     )
 
     def in_profile(home, endpoint, *, cached_only):
         token = set_hermes_home_override(str(home))
         active_endpoint["value"] = endpoint
         try:
-            return models_mod.get_pricing_for_provider(
+            return models_pricing.get_pricing_for_provider(
                 "nous", cached_only=cached_only
             )
         finally:
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_inventory_reasoning_caps.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_inventory_reasoning_caps.py
index 7fc40cc9c2..a44878d2a6 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_inventory_reasoning_caps.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_inventory_reasoning_caps.py
@@ -11,15 +11,16 @@ invite a picker filter that hides working levels.
 
 import hermes_cli.inventory as inv
 import hermes_cli.models as models_mod
+from hermes_cli import models_reasoning_caps
 
 
 def _patch_catalog(monkeypatch, caps_by_model, *, provider="nous"):
     """Point the Nous/OpenRouter catalog readers at a fixed capability map."""
     monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "model_supports_fast_mode", lambda model: False)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "warm_nous_reasoning_caps_async", lambda: None)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "warm_openrouter_reasoning_caps_async", lambda: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_reasoning_caps, "warm_nous_reasoning_caps_async", lambda: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_reasoning_caps, "warm_openrouter_reasoning_caps_async", lambda: None)
     monkeypatch.setattr(
-        models_mod,
+        models_reasoning_caps,
         f"{provider}_model_reasoning_capabilities",
         lambda model, **kw: caps_by_model.get(model),
     )
@@ -143,12 +144,12 @@ def test_openrouter_uses_its_own_catalog(monkeypatch):
 def test_catalog_failure_never_breaks_the_picker(monkeypatch):
     """A raising catalog reader degrades to "unknown", not to a broken payload."""
     monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "model_supports_fast_mode", lambda model: False)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "warm_nous_reasoning_caps_async", lambda: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_reasoning_caps, "warm_nous_reasoning_caps_async", lambda: None)
 
     def _boom(model, **kw):
         raise RuntimeError("catalog exploded")
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "nous_model_reasoning_capabilities", _boom)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_reasoning_caps, "nous_model_reasoning_capabilities", _boom)
     rows = [{"slug": "nous", "models": ["deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro"]}]
     inv._apply_capabilities(rows)
 
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_list_picker_providers.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_list_picker_providers.py
index 0fdea335cd..ab15213cd4 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_list_picker_providers.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_list_picker_providers.py
@@ -159,6 +159,7 @@ def _stub_kimi_discovery(monkeypatch, *, canonical):
     """
     import agent.models_dev as md
     import hermes_cli.models as hm
+    from hermes_cli import models_catalog_static
 
     kimi_map = {
         "kimi": "kimi-for-coding",
@@ -188,10 +189,11 @@ def _stub_kimi_discovery(monkeypatch, *, canonical):
 def test_single_kimi_credential_yields_one_canonical_row(monkeypatch):
     """One Kimi key yields a single row under the canonical 'kimi-coding' slug."""
     import hermes_cli.models as hm
+    from hermes_cli import models_catalog_static
 
     _stub_kimi_discovery(
         monkeypatch,
-        canonical=[hm.ProviderEntry("kimi-coding", "Kimi / Kimi Coding Plan", "desc")],
+        canonical=[models_catalog_static.ProviderEntry("kimi-coding", "Kimi / Kimi Coding Plan", "desc")],
     )
     monkeypatch.setenv("KIMI_API_KEY", "sk-test-kimi")
 
@@ -215,12 +217,13 @@ def test_distinct_kimi_china_credential_still_listed(monkeypatch):
     pair that share a credential, not legitimately distinct providers.
     """
     import hermes_cli.models as hm
+    from hermes_cli import models_catalog_static
 
     _stub_kimi_discovery(
         monkeypatch,
         canonical=[
-            hm.ProviderEntry("kimi-coding", "Kimi / Kimi Coding Plan", "desc"),
-            hm.ProviderEntry("kimi-coding-cn", "Kimi / Moonshot (China)", "desc"),
+            models_catalog_static.ProviderEntry("kimi-coding", "Kimi / Kimi Coding Plan", "desc"),
+            models_catalog_static.ProviderEntry("kimi-coding-cn", "Kimi / Moonshot (China)", "desc"),
         ],
     )
     monkeypatch.setenv("KIMI_API_KEY", "sk-test-kimi")
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_lmstudio_context_policy.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_lmstudio_context_policy.py
index 3510722cd4..15678fa9a8 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_lmstudio_context_policy.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_lmstudio_context_policy.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import json
 import pytest
 
 from hermes_cli import models
+from hermes_cli import models_local
 
 
 MODEL = "publisher/model"
@@ -54,12 +55,11 @@ def _capture_load(monkeypatch, response_payload):
 
 def test_missing_echo_refreshes_loaded_state(monkeypatch):
     catalogs = iter([_catalog(), _catalog(loaded_context=88_000)])
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        models, "_lmstudio_fetch_raw_models", lambda **_kwargs: next(catalogs)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_local, "_lmstudio_fetch_raw_models", lambda **_kwargs: next(catalogs)
     )
     _capture_load(monkeypatch, {"status": "loaded"})
 
-    result = models.ensure_lmstudio_model_loaded(
+    result = models_local.ensure_lmstudio_model_loaded(
         MODEL, BASE_URL, api_key="", target_context_length=100_000
     )
 
@@ -67,9 +67,7 @@ def test_missing_echo_refreshes_loaded_state(monkeypatch):
 
 
 def test_explicit_override_above_known_maximum_rejects_even_when_loaded(monkeypatch):
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        models,
-        "_lmstudio_fetch_raw_models",
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_local, "_lmstudio_fetch_raw_models",
         lambda **_kwargs: _catalog(loaded_context=64_000, maximum=128_000),
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
@@ -78,7 +76,7 @@ def test_explicit_override_above_known_maximum_rejects_even_when_loaded(monkeypa
         lambda *_args, **_kwargs: pytest.fail("invalid override must not be posted"),
     )
 
-    result = models.ensure_lmstudio_model_loaded(
+    result = models_local.ensure_lmstudio_model_loaded(
         MODEL,
         BASE_URL,
         api_key="",
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_alias_credentials_83612.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_alias_credentials_83612.py
index 8b23b93b87..e39eaec71e 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_alias_credentials_83612.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_alias_credentials_83612.py
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ def _switch_to_alias(monkeypatch, alias_entry):
         return {"accepted": True, "persist": True, "recognized": True, "message": ""}
 
     monkeypatch.setattr(
-        "hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model", _fake_validate
+        "hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model", _fake_validate
     )
 
     import hermes_cli.model_switch as ms
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ class TestSessionKeyIsHostScoped:
             "hermes_cli.runtime_provider.load_config", lambda *a, **k: cfg
         )
         monkeypatch.setattr(
-            "hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model",
+            "hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model",
             lambda *a, **k: {
                 "accepted": True,
                 "persist": True,
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ class TestBuiltinProviderKeysDoNotLeak:
             return {"accepted": True, "persist": True, "recognized": True, "message": ""}
 
         monkeypatch.setattr(
-            "hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model", _fake_validate
+            "hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model", _fake_validate
         )
         import hermes_cli.model_switch as ms
 
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ class TestProviderLabelCannotSelectAKeyForAnArbitraryHost:
             probed["api_key"] = api_key
             return {"accepted": True, "persist": True, "recognized": True, "message": ""}
 
-        monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model", _fake_validate)
+        monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model", _fake_validate)
         import hermes_cli.model_switch as ms
 
         monkeypatch.setattr(ms, "DIRECT_ALIASES", {})
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ class TestSessionCredentialIsScopedToTheOrigin:
         monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.config.load_config", lambda *a, **k: cfg)
         monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.runtime_provider.load_config", lambda *a, **k: cfg)
         monkeypatch.setattr(
-            "hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model",
+            "hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model",
             lambda *a, **k: {"accepted": True, "persist": True,
                              "recognized": True, "message": ""},
         )
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_configured_provider_routing.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_configured_provider_routing.py
index e46a480c39..47e482f2cc 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_configured_provider_routing.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_configured_provider_routing.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def _run_switch(
     with patch("hermes_cli.model_switch.resolve_alias", return_value=None), \
          patch("hermes_cli.model_switch.list_provider_models", return_value=[]), \
          patch("hermes_cli.model_switch.normalize_model_for_provider", side_effect=lambda model, provider: model), \
-         patch("hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model", return_value=validation), \
+         patch("hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model", return_value=validation), \
          patch("hermes_cli.models.detect_provider_for_model", return_value=None), \
          patch("hermes_cli.model_switch.get_model_info", return_value=None), \
          patch("hermes_cli.model_switch.get_model_capabilities", return_value=None), \
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_copilot_api_mode.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_copilot_api_mode.py
index 21d3f3e20c..72ce9d6dba 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_copilot_api_mode.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_copilot_api_mode.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def _run_copilot_switch(
             },
         ),
         patch(
-            "hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model",
+            "hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model",
             return_value=_MOCK_VALIDATION,
         ),
         patch("hermes_cli.model_switch.get_model_info", return_value=None),
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_custom_providers.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_custom_providers.py
index 62c1b6c374..7073ad4262 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_custom_providers.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_custom_providers.py
@@ -39,19 +39,19 @@ def _disable_live_custom_provider_model_probe(monkeypatch):
         "hermes_cli.models.provider_model_ids", lambda *_a, **_kw: []
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
-        "hermes_cli.models.fetch_ollama_local_models", lambda *_a, **_kw: None
+        "hermes_cli.models_local.fetch_ollama_local_models", lambda *_a, **_kw: None
     )
 
 
 def test_picker_native_probe_failure_falls_back_to_openai_catalog(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(
-        "hermes_cli.models.should_use_ollama_native_catalog", lambda *a, **k: True
+        "hermes_cli.models_local.should_use_ollama_native_catalog", lambda *a, **k: True
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         "hermes_cli.models._get_ollama_native_headers", lambda *a, **k: {}
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
-        "hermes_cli.models.fetch_ollama_local_models", lambda *a, **k: None
+        "hermes_cli.models_local.fetch_ollama_local_models", lambda *a, **k: None
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         "hermes_cli.models.fetch_api_models", lambda *a, **k: ["fallback-model"]
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def test_picker_generic_discovery_preserves_api_mode(monkeypatch):
         return ["model-a"]
 
     monkeypatch.setattr(
-        "hermes_cli.models.should_use_ollama_native_catalog", lambda *a, **k: False
+        "hermes_cli.models_local.should_use_ollama_native_catalog", lambda *a, **k: False
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models.cached_fetch_api_models", cached)
 
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ def test_providers_singular_model_does_not_suppress_ollama_native_discovery(monk
     monkeypatch.setattr("agent.models_dev.fetch_models_dev", lambda: {})
     monkeypatch.setattr(providers_mod, "HERMES_OVERLAYS", {})
     monkeypatch.setattr(
-        "hermes_cli.models.fetch_ollama_local_models",
+        "hermes_cli.models_local.fetch_ollama_local_models",
         lambda *a, **k: ["qwen3:latest", "llama3.2:latest"],
     )
 
@@ -362,7 +362,7 @@ def test_list_authenticated_providers_can_probe_active_bare_custom_endpoint(monk
 
 def test_switch_model_accepts_explicit_bare_custom_current_endpoint(monkeypatch):
     """Picker selections for bare custom endpoints should route to current base_url."""
-    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model", lambda *a, **k: _MOCK_VALIDATION)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model", lambda *a, **k: _MOCK_VALIDATION)
     monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.model_switch.get_model_info", lambda *a, **k: None)
     monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.model_switch.get_model_capabilities", lambda *a, **k: None)
 
@@ -408,11 +408,11 @@ def test_switch_model_does_not_send_ollama_headers_to_unrelated_custom_endpoint(
         return _MOCK_VALIDATION
 
     monkeypatch.setattr(
-        "hermes_cli.models.should_use_ollama_native_catalog",
+        "hermes_cli.models_local.should_use_ollama_native_catalog",
         fake_native_detection,
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
-        "hermes_cli.models._get_ollama_request_headers",
+        "hermes_cli.models_local._get_ollama_request_headers",
         lambda: {"Authorization": "Bearer configured-ollama-secret"},
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
@@ -431,7 +431,7 @@ def test_switch_model_does_not_send_ollama_headers_to_unrelated_custom_endpoint(
             "api_mode": "chat_completions",
         },
     )
-    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model", fake_validation)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model", fake_validation)
     monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.model_switch.get_model_info", lambda *a, **k: None)
     monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.model_switch.get_model_capabilities", lambda *a, **k: None)
 
@@ -480,7 +480,7 @@ def test_picker_selection_resolves_named_custom_provider_model_id(monkeypatch):
         },
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(
-        "hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model",
+        "hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model",
         lambda *a, **k: _MOCK_VALIDATION,
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.model_switch.get_model_info", lambda *a, **k: None)
@@ -980,8 +980,8 @@ def test_picker_endpoint_authorization_overrides_inferred_bearer(monkeypatch):
         captured.update(headers or {})
         return ["model-a"]
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models.should_use_ollama_native_catalog", lambda *a, **k: True)
-    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models.fetch_ollama_local_models", fake_native)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models_local.should_use_ollama_native_catalog", lambda *a, **k: True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models_local.fetch_ollama_local_models", fake_native)
     result = _fetch_picker_live_models(
         "endpoint-key",
         "http://127.0.0.1:11434/v1",
@@ -1217,7 +1217,7 @@ def test_lmstudio_picker_probes_active_config_base_url(monkeypatch):
         captured["api_key"] = api_key
         return ["qwen/qwen3-coder-30b"]
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models.fetch_lmstudio_models", _fake_fetch)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models_local.fetch_lmstudio_models", _fake_fetch)
 
     list_authenticated_providers(
         current_provider="lmstudio",
@@ -1244,7 +1244,7 @@ def test_lmstudio_picker_lm_base_url_env_wins_over_active_config(monkeypatch):
         captured["base_url"] = base_url
         return []
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models.fetch_lmstudio_models", _fake_fetch)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models_local.fetch_lmstudio_models", _fake_fetch)
 
     list_authenticated_providers(
         current_provider="lmstudio",
@@ -1270,7 +1270,7 @@ def test_lmstudio_picker_skips_probe_when_not_configured(monkeypatch):
         captured["base_url"] = base_url
         return []
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models.fetch_lmstudio_models", _fake_fetch)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models_local.fetch_lmstudio_models", _fake_fetch)
 
     list_authenticated_providers(
         current_provider="openrouter",
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_openai_api_mode.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_openai_api_mode.py
index 8c7c1058d3..fd890a5157 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_openai_api_mode.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_openai_api_mode.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def _run_openai_switch(
             },
         ),
         patch(
-            "hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model",
+            "hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model",
             return_value=_MOCK_VALIDATION,
         ),
         patch("hermes_cli.model_switch.get_model_info", return_value=None),
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_opencode_anthropic.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_opencode_anthropic.py
index faad9c4b30..44a0b73fe7 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_opencode_anthropic.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_opencode_anthropic.py
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ def _run_opencode_switch(
             },
         ),
         patch(
-            "hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model",
+            "hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model",
             return_value=_MOCK_VALIDATION,
         ),
         patch("hermes_cli.model_switch.get_model_info", return_value=None),
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_variant_tags.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_variant_tags.py
index f6d2b8db66..b3d4ee707b 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_variant_tags.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_switch_variant_tags.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ def _run_switch(raw_input: str, current_provider: str = "openrouter") -> str:
          patch("hermes_cli.model_switch.list_provider_models", return_value=[]), \
          patch("hermes_cli.runtime_provider.resolve_runtime_provider",
                return_value={"api_key": "test", "base_url": "", "api_mode": "chat_completions"}), \
-         patch("hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model", return_value=_MOCK_VALIDATION), \
+         patch("hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model", return_value=_MOCK_VALIDATION), \
          patch("hermes_cli.model_switch.get_model_info", return_value=None), \
          patch("hermes_cli.model_switch.get_model_capabilities", return_value=None), \
          patch("hermes_cli.models.detect_provider_for_model", return_value=None):
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_validation.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_validation.py
index 304492f87c..ec3e26cdfe 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_validation.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_model_validation.py
@@ -3,24 +3,9 @@
 import pytest
 from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
 
-from hermes_cli.models import (
-    azure_foundry_model_api_mode,
-    copilot_model_api_mode,
-    fetch_github_model_catalog,
-    curated_models_for_provider,
-    fetch_api_models,
-    fetch_lmstudio_models,
-    github_model_reasoning_efforts,
-    normalize_copilot_model_id,
-    normalize_opencode_model_id,
-    normalize_provider,
-    opencode_model_api_mode,
-    parse_model_input,
-    probe_api_models,
-    provider_label,
-    provider_model_ids,
-    validate_requested_model,
-)
+from hermes_cli.models import azure_foundry_model_api_mode, copilot_model_api_mode, fetch_github_model_catalog, curated_models_for_provider, fetch_api_models, github_model_reasoning_efforts, normalize_copilot_model_id, normalize_opencode_model_id, normalize_provider, opencode_model_api_mode, parse_model_input, probe_api_models, provider_label, provider_model_ids
+from hermes_cli.models_local import fetch_lmstudio_models
+from hermes_cli.models_validate import validate_requested_model
 
 
 # -- helpers -----------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_models.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_models.py
index 0cb4213db0..717940271a 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_models.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_models.py
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ from hermes_cli.models import (
     union_with_portal_paid_recommendations,
 )
 import hermes_cli.models as _models_mod
+from hermes_cli import models_local
+from hermes_cli import models_validate
 
 LIVE_OPENROUTER_MODELS = [
     ("anthropic/claude-opus-4.6", "recommended"),
@@ -448,7 +450,7 @@ class TestCodexSoftAcceptPlausibilityGate:
     and mislabel the provider as 'OpenAI Codex')."""
 
     def test_unrelated_name_rejected_on_openai_codex(self):
-        from hermes_cli.models import validate_requested_model
+        from hermes_cli.models_validate import validate_requested_model
         r = validate_requested_model("qwen3.5-4b", "openai-codex")
         assert r["accepted"] is False
         assert r["persist"] is False
@@ -456,7 +458,7 @@ class TestCodexSoftAcceptPlausibilityGate:
 
 
     def test_real_catalog_model_unaffected(self):
-        from hermes_cli.models import validate_requested_model
+        from hermes_cli.models_validate import validate_requested_model
         r = validate_requested_model("gpt-5.5", "openai-codex")
         assert r["accepted"] is True
         assert r["recognized"] is True
@@ -474,24 +476,24 @@ class TestFormatPricePerMtok:
     """_format_price_per_mtok: sub-cent prices must not collapse to 'free'/'$0.00'."""
 
     def test_standard_prices_keep_two_decimals(self):
-        from hermes_cli.models import _format_price_per_mtok
+        from hermes_cli.models_pricing import _format_price_per_mtok
         assert _format_price_per_mtok("0.000003") == "$3.00"
         assert _format_price_per_mtok("0.00003") == "$30.00"
         assert _format_price_per_mtok("0.00000015") == "$0.15"
         assert _format_price_per_mtok("0.00018") == "$180.00"
 
     def test_zero_is_free(self):
-        from hermes_cli.models import _format_price_per_mtok
+        from hermes_cli.models_pricing import _format_price_per_mtok
         assert _format_price_per_mtok("0") == "free"
         assert _format_price_per_mtok("0.0") == "free"
 
     def test_invalid_is_question_mark(self):
-        from hermes_cli.models import _format_price_per_mtok
+        from hermes_cli.models_pricing import _format_price_per_mtok
         assert _format_price_per_mtok("garbage") == "?"
         assert _format_price_per_mtok(None) == "?"
 
     def test_sub_cent_price_extends_precision(self):
-        from hermes_cli.models import _format_price_per_mtok
+        from hermes_cli.models_pricing import _format_price_per_mtok
         # DeepSeek V4 Flash 0731 promo cache-hit rate: $0.0018/Mtok.
         assert _format_price_per_mtok("0.0000000018") == "$0.0018"
         assert _format_price_per_mtok("0.000000001") == "$0.001"
@@ -501,7 +503,7 @@ class TestFormatPricePerMtok:
         assert _format_price_per_mtok("0.00000000001") == "$0.00001"
 
     def test_one_cent_boundary_stays_two_decimals(self):
-        from hermes_cli.models import _format_price_per_mtok
+        from hermes_cli.models_pricing import _format_price_per_mtok
         assert _format_price_per_mtok("0.00000001") == "$0.01"
 
 
@@ -590,7 +592,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
             server.shutdown()
 
     def test_native_tags_cache_expires(self, monkeypatch):
-        from hermes_cli.models import fetch_ollama_local_models
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import fetch_ollama_local_models
 
         server, port = _start_fake_ollama_server(models=[{"name": "old-model"}])
         try:
@@ -612,7 +614,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
 
     def test_fetch_ollama_models_accepts_base_url_without_scheme(self):
         """OLLAMA_HOST commonly omits http://; discovery should normalize it."""
-        from hermes_cli.models import fetch_ollama_local_models
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import fetch_ollama_local_models
 
         server, port = _start_fake_ollama_server(models=[{"name": "qwen2.5:1.5b"}])
         try:
@@ -622,7 +624,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
 
     def test_fetch_ollama_models_accepts_full_models_url(self):
         """Pasted OpenAI-style /v1/models URLs should normalize to the native root."""
-        from hermes_cli.models import fetch_ollama_local_models
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import fetch_ollama_local_models
 
         server, port = _start_fake_ollama_server(models=[{"name": "qwen2.5:1.5b"}])
         try:
@@ -636,10 +638,11 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
 
     def test_runtime_error_from_config_load_does_not_escape_ollama_helpers(self):
         """Managed-mode config failures should degrade to defaults, not crash pickers."""
-        from hermes_cli.models import _get_ollama_base_url, should_use_ollama_native_catalog
+        from hermes_cli.models import _get_ollama_base_url
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import should_use_ollama_native_catalog
 
         with patch("hermes_cli.config.load_config", side_effect=RuntimeError("bad home")), patch(
-            "hermes_cli.models.probe_ollama_local_models",
+            "hermes_cli.models_local.probe_ollama_local_models",
             return_value=None,
         ):
             assert _get_ollama_base_url() == "http://localhost:11434"
@@ -647,22 +650,22 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
 
     def test_probe_ollama_models_malformed_base_url_returns_none(self):
         """Malformed user-configured URLs should behave like probe failures, not crashes."""
-        from hermes_cli.models import probe_ollama_local_models
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import probe_ollama_local_models
 
         assert probe_ollama_local_models("http://127.0.0.1:bad-port/v1") is None
 
     def test_fetch_ollama_models_preserves_probe_failure(self):
-        from hermes_cli.models import fetch_ollama_local_models
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import fetch_ollama_local_models
 
-        with patch("hermes_cli.models.probe_ollama_local_models", return_value=None):
+        with patch("hermes_cli.models_local.probe_ollama_local_models", return_value=None):
             assert fetch_ollama_local_models("http://127.0.0.1:11434") is None
 
     def test_ollama_port_detection_requires_working_api_tags(self):
-        from hermes_cli.models import should_use_ollama_native_catalog
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import should_use_ollama_native_catalog
 
-        with patch("hermes_cli.models.probe_ollama_local_models", return_value=["qwen3:1.7b"]):
+        with patch("hermes_cli.models_local.probe_ollama_local_models", return_value=["qwen3:1.7b"]):
             assert should_use_ollama_native_catalog("custom", "192.168.1.5:11434/v1") is True
-        with patch("hermes_cli.models.probe_ollama_local_models", return_value=None):
+        with patch("hermes_cli.models_local.probe_ollama_local_models", return_value=None):
             assert should_use_ollama_native_catalog("custom", "192.168.1.5:11434/v1") is False
 
     def test_provider_model_ids_ollama_cloud_config_uses_generic_catalog(self):
@@ -678,7 +681,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
                     }
                 }
             },
-        ), patch("hermes_cli.models.fetch_ollama_local_models") as fetch_local, patch(
+        ), patch("hermes_cli.models_local.fetch_ollama_local_models") as fetch_local, patch(
             "hermes_cli.models.fetch_api_models",
             return_value=["qwen3:1.7b"],
         ) as fetch_generic:
@@ -691,7 +694,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
         )
 
     def test_native_ollama_catalog_uses_configured_key_env(self, monkeypatch):
-        from hermes_cli.models import _get_ollama_request_headers
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import _get_ollama_request_headers
 
         monkeypatch.setenv("TEST_OLLAMA_API_KEY", "env-key")
         with patch(
@@ -710,7 +713,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
             }
 
     def test_native_ollama_catalog_uses_api_key_env_alias(self, monkeypatch):
-        from hermes_cli.models import _get_ollama_request_headers
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import _get_ollama_request_headers
 
         monkeypatch.setenv("TEST_OLLAMA_API_KEY_ALIAS", "alias-key")
         with patch(
@@ -740,7 +743,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
                 }
             },
         ), patch(
-            "hermes_cli.models.fetch_ollama_local_models",
+            "hermes_cli.models_local.fetch_ollama_local_models",
             return_value=["qwen3:1.7b"],
         ) as fetch_local:
             assert provider_model_ids("ollama", force_refresh=True) == ["qwen3:1.7b"]
@@ -757,7 +760,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
                     "base_url": "http://127.0.0.1:11434/v1",
                 }
             },
-        ), patch("hermes_cli.models.probe_ollama_local_models") as probe_ollama:
+        ), patch("hermes_cli.models_local.probe_ollama_local_models") as probe_ollama:
             assert _credential_fingerprint("ollama")
         probe_ollama.assert_not_called()
 
@@ -801,6 +804,8 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
 
     def test_clear_provider_models_cache_clears_ollama_native_tags_cache(self):
         import hermes_cli.models as models
+        from hermes_cli import models_local
+        from hermes_cli import models_validate
 
         cache = getattr(models, "_OLLAMA_LOCAL_MODELS_CACHE")
         cache["http://127.0.0.1:11434"] = ("old-model",)
@@ -809,6 +814,8 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
 
     def test_clear_provider_models_cache_custom_clears_native_tags_cache(self):
         import hermes_cli.models as models
+        from hermes_cli import models_local
+        from hermes_cli import models_validate
 
         cache = getattr(models, "_OLLAMA_LOCAL_MODELS_CACHE")
         cache["http://127.0.0.1:11434"] = ("old-model",)
@@ -817,6 +824,8 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
 
     def test_clear_provider_models_cache_does_not_remove_custom_disk_cache(self):
         import hermes_cli.models as models
+        from hermes_cli import models_local
+        from hermes_cli import models_validate
 
         disk_cache = {
             "custom": {"models": ["custom-model"]},
@@ -830,13 +839,13 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
 
 
     def test_ollama_cloud_urls_do_not_use_native_local_catalog(self):
-        from hermes_cli.models import should_use_ollama_native_catalog
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import should_use_ollama_native_catalog
 
         assert should_use_ollama_native_catalog("ollama-cloud", "https://ollama.com/v1") is False
         assert should_use_ollama_native_catalog("ollama", "https://ollama.com/v1") is False
 
     def test_non_ollama_custom_endpoint_uses_generic_catalog_path(self):
-        from hermes_cli.models import should_use_ollama_native_catalog
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import should_use_ollama_native_catalog
 
         assert should_use_ollama_native_catalog("custom", "https://example.test/v1") is False
         assert should_use_ollama_native_catalog("openrouter", "http://localhost:11434/v1") is False
@@ -888,10 +897,10 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
         from hermes_cli.model_switch import list_authenticated_providers
 
         with patch("hermes_cli.config.load_config", return_value={"providers": {}}), patch(
-            "hermes_cli.models.should_use_ollama_native_catalog",
+            "hermes_cli.models_local.should_use_ollama_native_catalog",
             return_value=True,
         ), patch(
-            "hermes_cli.models.fetch_ollama_local_models",
+            "hermes_cli.models_local.fetch_ollama_local_models",
             return_value=["qwen3:1.7b"],
         ), patch("hermes_cli.models.fetch_api_models", return_value=[]) as fetch_api:
             rows = list_authenticated_providers(
@@ -1090,7 +1099,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
         from hermes_cli.model_switch import list_authenticated_providers
 
         with patch("hermes_cli.config.load_config", return_value={"providers": {}}), patch(
-            "hermes_cli.models.probe_ollama_local_models",
+            "hermes_cli.models_local.probe_ollama_local_models",
             return_value=["qwen3:1.7b"],
         ), patch("hermes_cli.models.fetch_api_models", return_value=[]) as fetch_api:
             rows = list_authenticated_providers(
@@ -1105,7 +1114,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
 
     def test_model_validation_uses_ollama_api_tags_for_ollama_provider(self):
         """`/model` validation for provider=ollama should not probe `/models`."""
-        from hermes_cli.models import validate_requested_model
+        from hermes_cli.models_validate import validate_requested_model
 
         server, port = _start_fake_ollama_server()
         try:
@@ -1128,12 +1137,12 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
 
     def test_model_validation_ollama_cloud_config_does_not_use_local_tags(self):
         """provider=ollama with a cloud base URL should not fall into local /api/tags."""
-        from hermes_cli.models import validate_requested_model
+        from hermes_cli.models_validate import validate_requested_model
 
         with patch(
             "hermes_cli.config.load_config",
             return_value={"providers": {"ollama": {"base_url": "https://ollama.com/v1"}}},
-        ), patch("hermes_cli.models.probe_ollama_local_models") as probe_ollama, patch(
+        ), patch("hermes_cli.models_local.probe_ollama_local_models") as probe_ollama, patch(
             "hermes_cli.models.probe_api_models",
             return_value={
                 "models": ["qwen3:1.7b"],
@@ -1152,7 +1161,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
 
     def test_model_validation_uses_ollama_api_tags_for_matching_custom_endpoint(self):
         """Current-provider `custom` on the configured Ollama URL should use `/api/tags`."""
-        from hermes_cli.models import validate_requested_model
+        from hermes_cli.models_validate import validate_requested_model
 
         server, port = _start_fake_ollama_server()
         base_url = f"http://127.0.0.1:{port}"
@@ -1178,7 +1187,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
 
     def test_model_validation_empty_ollama_tags_does_not_fall_back_to_models(self):
         """Reachable but empty /api/tags should not produce a misleading /models warning."""
-        from hermes_cli.models import validate_requested_model
+        from hermes_cli.models_validate import validate_requested_model
 
         server, port = _start_fake_ollama_server(models=[])
         base_url = f"http://127.0.0.1:{port}"
@@ -1247,7 +1256,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
                 "api_mode": "chat_completions",
             },
         ), patch(
-            "hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model",
+            "hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model",
             return_value={
                 "accepted": True,
                 "persist": True,
@@ -1277,7 +1286,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
         from hermes_cli.model_switch import switch_model
 
         with patch(
-            "hermes_cli.models.should_use_ollama_native_catalog",
+            "hermes_cli.models_local.should_use_ollama_native_catalog",
             side_effect=RuntimeError("config unavailable"),
         ), patch(
             "hermes_cli.runtime_provider.resolve_runtime_provider",
@@ -1287,7 +1296,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
                 "api_mode": "chat_completions",
             },
         ), patch(
-            "hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model",
+            "hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model",
             return_value={
                 "accepted": True,
                 "persist": True,
@@ -1313,7 +1322,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
         assert result.api_key == "new-key"
 
     def test_ollama_root_matching_is_case_insensitive_for_hostnames(self):
-        from hermes_cli.models import _same_ollama_native_root
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import _same_ollama_native_root
 
         assert _same_ollama_native_root(
             "HTTP://OLLAMA.EXAMPLE:11434/v1",
@@ -1339,6 +1348,8 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
 
     def test_ollama_failed_probe_is_cached_briefly(self):
         import hermes_cli.models as models
+        from hermes_cli import models_local
+        from hermes_cli import models_validate
 
         models._OLLAMA_LOCAL_MODELS_CACHE.clear()
         models._OLLAMA_LOCAL_PROBE_FAILURE_CACHE.clear()
@@ -1346,12 +1357,14 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
             "hermes_cli.models._urlopen_model_catalog_request",
             side_effect=OSError("offline"),
         ) as request:
-            assert models.probe_ollama_local_models("http://127.0.0.1:19999") is None
-            assert models.probe_ollama_local_models("http://127.0.0.1:19999") is None
+            assert models_local.probe_ollama_local_models("http://127.0.0.1:19999") is None
+            assert models_local.probe_ollama_local_models("http://127.0.0.1:19999") is None
         request.assert_called_once()
 
     def test_empty_ollama_catalog_does_not_resurrect_stale_disk_models(self):
         import hermes_cli.models as models
+        from hermes_cli import models_local
+        from hermes_cli import models_validate
 
         base_url = "http://127.0.0.1:11434"
         probe_key = models._ollama_probe_cache_key(base_url, None)
@@ -1365,13 +1378,15 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
                 models, "_credential_fingerprint", return_value="same"
             ), patch.object(models, "provider_model_ids", return_value=[]), patch.object(
                 models, "_get_ollama_base_url", return_value=base_url
-            ), patch.object(models, "_get_ollama_request_headers", return_value={}):
+            ), patch.object(models_local, "_get_ollama_request_headers", return_value={}):
                 assert models.cached_provider_model_ids("ollama") == []
         finally:
             models._OLLAMA_LOCAL_PROBE_REACHABLE.pop(probe_key, None)
 
     def test_failed_ollama_catalog_preserves_stale_disk_models(self):
         import hermes_cli.models as models
+        from hermes_cli import models_local
+        from hermes_cli import models_validate
 
         base_url = "http://127.0.0.1:11434"
         probe_key = models._ollama_probe_cache_key(base_url, None)
@@ -1385,13 +1400,15 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
                 models, "_credential_fingerprint", return_value="same"
             ), patch.object(models, "provider_model_ids", return_value=[]), patch.object(
                 models, "_get_ollama_base_url", return_value=base_url
-            ), patch.object(models, "_get_ollama_request_headers", return_value={}):
+            ), patch.object(models_local, "_get_ollama_request_headers", return_value={}):
                 assert models.cached_provider_model_ids("ollama") == ["stale:model"]
         finally:
             models._OLLAMA_LOCAL_PROBE_REACHABLE.pop(probe_key, None)
 
     def test_ollama_native_request_uses_redirect_safe_catalog_helper(self):
         import hermes_cli.models as models
+        from hermes_cli import models_local
+        from hermes_cli import models_validate
 
         response = MagicMock()
         response.read.return_value = b'{"models": [{"name": "qwen3:1.7b"}]}'
@@ -1399,13 +1416,15 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
         with patch.object(
             models, "_urlopen_model_catalog_request", return_value=response
         ) as request:
-            assert models.fetch_ollama_local_models("http://127.0.0.1:11434") == [
+            assert models_local.fetch_ollama_local_models("http://127.0.0.1:11434") == [
                 "qwen3:1.7b"
             ]
         request.assert_called_once()
 
     def test_validation_with_nonmatching_ollama_root_does_not_forward_config_headers(self):
         import hermes_cli.models as models
+        from hermes_cli import models_local
+        from hermes_cli import models_validate
 
         with patch(
             "hermes_cli.config.load_config",
@@ -1417,16 +1436,15 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
                     }
                 }
             },
-        ), patch.object(models, "should_use_ollama_native_catalog", return_value=True), patch.object(
-            models, "probe_ollama_local_models", return_value=[]
+        ), patch.object(models_local, "should_use_ollama_native_catalog", return_value=True), patch.object(models_local, "probe_ollama_local_models", return_value=[]
         ) as probe:
-            models.validate_requested_model(
+            models_validate.validate_requested_model(
                 "qwen3:1.7b",
                 "ollama",
                 base_url="https://other.internal/v1",
             )
             assert probe.call_args.kwargs["headers"] == {}
-            models.validate_requested_model(
+            models_validate.validate_requested_model(
                 "qwen3:1.7b",
                 "ollama",
                 base_url="https://other.internal/v1",
@@ -1450,7 +1468,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
                 "hermes_cli.models._get_provider_config_dict",
                 return_value={"base_url": base_url, "api_key": "secret"},
             ) as config_provider, patch(
-                "hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model",
+                "hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model",
                 return_value={"accepted": True, "persist": True, "recognized": True, "message": ""},
             ):
                 result = model_switch.switch_model(
@@ -1480,7 +1498,7 @@ class TestLocalOllamaModelDiscovery:
         )
         try:
             with patch.object(model_switch, "get_model_info", return_value=None), patch(
-                "hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model",
+                "hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model",
                 return_value={"accepted": True, "persist": True, "recognized": True, "message": ""},
             ):
                 result = model_switch.switch_model(
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_nous_policy_filter.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_nous_policy_filter.py
index 948885603f..9dd1f8a2d0 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_nous_policy_filter.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_nous_policy_filter.py
@@ -12,12 +12,9 @@ import json
 import pytest
 
 import hermes_cli.models as models_mod
+from hermes_cli import models_pricing
 import hermes_cli.nous_account as account_mod
-from hermes_cli.models import (
-    _NOUS_POLICY_APPEND_MAX,
-    nous_policy_allowed_ids,
-    restrict_to_nous_policy,
-)
+from hermes_cli.models_pricing import _NOUS_POLICY_APPEND_MAX, nous_policy_allowed_ids, restrict_to_nous_policy
 from hermes_cli.nous_account import nous_policy_present
 
 
@@ -67,20 +64,18 @@ class TestRestrictToNousPolicy:
 class TestNousPolicyAllowedIds:
     @pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
     def _clear_cache(self):
-        models_mod._pricing_cache.clear()
-        models_mod._pricing_cache_retry_after.clear()
+        models_pricing._pricing_cache.clear()
+        models_pricing._pricing_cache_retry_after.clear()
         yield
-        models_mod._pricing_cache.clear()
-        models_mod._pricing_cache_retry_after.clear()
+        models_pricing._pricing_cache.clear()
+        models_pricing._pricing_cache_retry_after.clear()
 
     def _patch(self, monkeypatch, *, policy_present, api_key="sk-test", pricing=None):
         calls = []
         monkeypatch.setattr(
             account_mod, "nous_policy_present", lambda: policy_present
         )
-        monkeypatch.setattr(
-            models_mod,
-            "_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials",
+        monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials",
             lambda: (api_key, "https://inference.example.com"),
         )
 
@@ -88,7 +83,7 @@ class TestNousPolicyAllowedIds:
             calls.append(kwargs)
             return pricing if pricing is not None else {}
 
-        monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "fetch_models_with_pricing", _fake_fetch)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "fetch_models_with_pricing", _fake_fetch)
         return calls
 
     def test_returns_the_authenticated_catalog_keys(self, monkeypatch):
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_nous_policy_surfaces.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_nous_policy_surfaces.py
index 5a7bd75a41..f2bc84ea71 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_nous_policy_surfaces.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_nous_policy_surfaces.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import argparse
 import pytest
 
 import hermes_cli.models as models_mod
-from hermes_cli import model_switch_providers
+from hermes_cli import models_pricing
 
 CURATED = ["vendor/allowed", "vendor/blocked"]
 ALLOWED = {"vendor/allowed"}
@@ -20,14 +20,14 @@ ALLOWED = {"vendor/allowed"}
 @pytest.fixture
 def policy(monkeypatch):
     """An org whose policy admits only ``vendor/allowed``."""
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "nous_policy_allowed_ids", lambda **_k: ALLOWED)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "nous_policy_allowed_ids", lambda **_k: ALLOWED)
     return ALLOWED
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
 def no_policy(monkeypatch):
     """An unrestricted org — lists must come through untouched."""
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "nous_policy_allowed_ids", lambda **_k: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "nous_policy_allowed_ids", lambda **_k: None)
 
 
 class TestLoginNous:
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class TestLoginNous:
             },
         )
         monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "get_curated_nous_model_ids", lambda: list(CURATED))
-        monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "get_pricing_for_provider", lambda _p: {})
+        monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "get_pricing_for_provider", lambda _p: {})
         monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "check_nous_free_tier", lambda **_k: None)
         monkeypatch.setattr(
             models_mod,
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ class TestModelSwitchPicker:
             lambda *a, **k: {"providers": {"nous": {"access_token": "tok"}}},
         )
         monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "get_curated_nous_model_ids", lambda: list(CURATED))
-        monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "get_pricing_for_provider", lambda _p: {})
+        monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "get_pricing_for_provider", lambda _p: {})
         monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "check_nous_free_tier", lambda **_k: None)
         monkeypatch.setattr(
             models_mod,
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ class TestModelSwitchPicker:
         def _boom(_p):
             raise RuntimeError("portal down")
 
-        monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "get_pricing_for_provider", _boom)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "get_pricing_for_provider", _boom)
         row = self._rows(monkeypatch)
         assert row is not None
         assert "vendor/blocked" not in row["models"]
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ class TestRecommendedDefaultEndpoint:
             models_mod, "get_curated_nous_model_ids",
             lambda: ["vendor/blocked", "vendor/allowed"],
         )
-        monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "get_pricing_for_provider", lambda _p: {})
+        monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "get_pricing_for_provider", lambda _p: {})
         monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "check_nous_free_tier", lambda **_k: None)
         monkeypatch.setattr(
             models_mod,
@@ -171,10 +171,10 @@ class TestAuxiliaryFastModel:
             return {mid: {} for mid in catalog}
 
         monkeypatch.setattr(
-            models_mod, "_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials",
+            models_pricing, "_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials",
             lambda: ("sk-nous", "https://inference.example.com"),
         )
-        monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "fetch_models_with_pricing", _fake_fetch)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "fetch_models_with_pricing", _fake_fetch)
         picked = aux._fast_model_from_catalog("nous")
         return picked, seen
 
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ class TestAuxiliaryFastModel:
         import agent.auxiliary_client as aux
 
         monkeypatch.setattr(
-            models_mod, "nous_policy_allowed_ids", lambda **_k: {"vendor/allowed"}
+            models_pricing, "nous_policy_allowed_ids", lambda **_k: {"vendor/allowed"}
         )
         monkeypatch.setattr(aux, "_FAST_MODEL_FAMILIES", ("vendor/",))
         monkeypatch.setattr(aux, "_FAST_MODEL_EXCLUDE", ())
@@ -240,14 +240,14 @@ class TestAuxFallbackRespectsPolicy:
         import agent.auxiliary_client as aux
         import providers
 
-        monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "nous_policy_allowed_ids", lambda **_k: allowed)
+        monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "nous_policy_allowed_ids", lambda **_k: allowed)
         monkeypatch.setattr(
-            models_mod, "_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials",
+            models_pricing, "_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials",
             lambda: ("sk", "https://inference.example.com"),
         )
         # No fast-family match, so the catalog step yields nothing.
         monkeypatch.setattr(
-            models_mod, "fetch_models_with_pricing",
+            models_pricing, "fetch_models_with_pricing",
             lambda **_k: {"vendor/allowed-large": {}},
         )
 
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ def test_titling_seeds_the_shared_catalog_entry_like_the_pickers(monkeypatch):
     import agent.auxiliary_client as aux
 
     monkeypatch.setattr(
-        models_mod, "_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials",
+        models_pricing, "_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials",
         lambda: ("tok", "https://inference.example.com"),
     )
     seen: dict = {}
@@ -303,8 +303,8 @@ def test_titling_seeds_the_shared_catalog_entry_like_the_pickers(monkeypatch):
         seen.update(kwargs)
         return {"vendor/haiku": {}}
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "fetch_models_with_pricing", _fake_fetch)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "fetch_models_with_pricing", _fake_fetch)
     aux._fast_model_from_catalog("nous")
 
     assert seen.get("include_sale_original") is True
-    assert seen.get("cache_ttl_seconds") == models_mod._NOUS_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS
+    assert seen.get("cache_ttl_seconds") == models_pricing._NOUS_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_nous_reasoning_metadata.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_nous_reasoning_metadata.py
index 6c52f2cb61..55ee3316e0 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_nous_reasoning_metadata.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_nous_reasoning_metadata.py
@@ -38,18 +38,19 @@ _CATALOG = (
 def cold_cache(monkeypatch):
     """A freshly started process that has never mirrored a catalog to disk."""
     import hermes_cli.models as models_mod
+    from hermes_cli import models_reasoning_caps
 
     monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_nous_reasoning_caps_cache", None)
     monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_nous_reasoning_caps_failed_at", None)
     monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_nous_caps_disk_checked", False)
     monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_nous_caps_warm_started", False)
-    models_mod._reasoning_caps_disk_path().unlink(missing_ok=True)
+    models_reasoning_caps._reasoning_caps_disk_path().unlink(missing_ok=True)
     return models_mod
 
 
 class TestNousModelReasoningCapabilities:
     def test_fetch_parses_mandatory_flag(self, cold_cache, monkeypatch):
-        from hermes_cli.models import nous_model_reasoning_capabilities
+        from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import nous_model_reasoning_capabilities
 
         monkeypatch.setattr(
             cold_cache, "_urlopen_model_catalog_request",
@@ -67,7 +68,7 @@ class TestNousModelReasoningCapabilities:
 
     def test_catalog_read_sends_user_agent(self, cold_cache, monkeypatch):
         """The Portal 403s an anonymous catalog read."""
-        from hermes_cli.models import nous_model_reasoning_capabilities
+        from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import nous_model_reasoning_capabilities
 
         seen = []
 
@@ -89,7 +90,7 @@ class TestNousModelReasoningCapabilities:
         Pinned to production, a staging profile would take its
         reasoning-mandatory verdicts from a different deployment's catalog.
         """
-        from hermes_cli.models import nous_catalog_url
+        from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import nous_catalog_url
 
         monkeypatch.setenv(
             "NOUS_INFERENCE_BASE_URL", "https://staging.nousresearch.com/v1"
@@ -100,7 +101,7 @@ class TestNousModelReasoningCapabilities:
         assert nous_catalog_url().endswith("/v1/models")
 
     def test_unlisted_and_empty_models_return_none(self, cold_cache, monkeypatch):
-        from hermes_cli.models import nous_model_reasoning_capabilities
+        from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import nous_model_reasoning_capabilities
 
         monkeypatch.setattr(
             cold_cache, "_urlopen_model_catalog_request",
@@ -111,7 +112,7 @@ class TestNousModelReasoningCapabilities:
         assert nous_model_reasoning_capabilities(None) is None
 
     def test_cache_only_by_default_never_fetches(self, cold_cache, monkeypatch):
-        from hermes_cli.models import nous_model_reasoning_capabilities
+        from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import nous_model_reasoning_capabilities
 
         def _boom(req, *, timeout):
             raise AssertionError("hot path must not fetch")
@@ -120,7 +121,7 @@ class TestNousModelReasoningCapabilities:
         assert nous_model_reasoning_capabilities("deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro") is None
 
     def test_unreachable_catalog_rate_limits_refetch(self, cold_cache, monkeypatch):
-        from hermes_cli.models import nous_model_reasoning_capabilities
+        from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import nous_model_reasoning_capabilities
 
         calls = {"n": 0}
 
@@ -136,10 +137,7 @@ class TestNousModelReasoningCapabilities:
 
     def test_openrouter_cache_is_independent(self, cold_cache, monkeypatch):
         """Two catalogs, two caches — a Portal fetch must not answer for OpenRouter."""
-        from hermes_cli.models import (
-            nous_model_reasoning_capabilities,
-            openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities,
-        )
+        from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import nous_model_reasoning_capabilities, openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities
 
         monkeypatch.setattr(cold_cache, "_openrouter_reasoning_caps_cache", None)
         monkeypatch.setattr(cold_cache, "_openrouter_reasoning_caps_failed_at", None)
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_ollama_cloud_auth.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_ollama_cloud_auth.py
index c9b88a66c5..93cb610067 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_ollama_cloud_auth.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_ollama_cloud_auth.py
@@ -386,7 +386,7 @@ class TestSwitchModelDirectAliasOverride:
             lambda **kwargs: {"api_key": "", "base_url": "", "api_mode": "openai_compat", "provider": "custom"},
         )
 
-        monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model",
+        monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model",
             lambda *a, **kw: {"accepted": True, "persist": True, "recognized": True, "message": None})
         monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models.opencode_model_api_mode",
             lambda *a, **kw: "openai_compat")
@@ -411,7 +411,7 @@ class TestSwitchModelDirectAliasOverride:
             "hermes_cli.runtime_provider.resolve_runtime_provider",
             lambda **kwargs: {"api_key": "", "base_url": "", "api_mode": "openai_compat", "provider": "custom"},
         )
-        monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model",
+        monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model",
             lambda *a, **kw: {"accepted": True, "persist": True, "recognized": True, "message": None})
         monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models.opencode_model_api_mode",
             lambda *a, **kw: "openai_compat")
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_ollama_cloud_provider.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_ollama_cloud_provider.py
index 19c0de347f..416e9bc9ac 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_ollama_cloud_provider.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_ollama_cloud_provider.py
@@ -340,7 +340,7 @@ class TestOllamaCloudSuffixStripping:
 
     def test_strip_suffix_helper(self):
         """Unit test for the _strip_ollama_cloud_suffix helper."""
-        from hermes_cli.models import _strip_ollama_cloud_suffix
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import _strip_ollama_cloud_suffix
 
         assert _strip_ollama_cloud_suffix("kimi-k2.6:cloud") == "kimi-k2.6"
         assert _strip_ollama_cloud_suffix("glm-5.1:cloud") == "glm-5.1"
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_openai_codex_model_validation_fallback.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_openai_codex_model_validation_fallback.py
index 2b742b058e..666ed4eaf1 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_openai_codex_model_validation_fallback.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_openai_codex_model_validation_fallback.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ it.
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
 from hermes_cli.model_switch import switch_model
-from hermes_cli.models import validate_requested_model
+from hermes_cli.models_validate import validate_requested_model
 
 
 def test_openai_codex_unknown_but_plausible_model_is_accepted_with_warning():
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_openai_listing_authority.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_openai_listing_authority.py
index ff34fdc1e7..e29156e17f 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_openai_listing_authority.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_openai_listing_authority.py
@@ -21,11 +21,12 @@ from unittest.mock import patch as mock_patch
 import pytest
 
 from hermes_cli import models as models_mod
+from hermes_cli import models_validate
 
 
 def _validate(requested: str, base_url: str, live: list[str], provider: str = "openai-api"):
     with mock_patch.object(models_mod, "fetch_api_models", return_value=live):
-        return models_mod.validate_requested_model(
+        return models_validate.validate_requested_model(
             requested,
             provider=provider,
             api_key="sk-test",
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_opencode_go_validation_fallback.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_opencode_go_validation_fallback.py
index 3003acbb19..b4168a7541 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_opencode_go_validation_fallback.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_opencode_go_validation_fallback.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ These tests cover the catalog-fallback path: when ``fetch_api_models`` returns
 
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
-from hermes_cli.models import validate_requested_model
+from hermes_cli.models_validate import validate_requested_model
 
 
 _UNREACHABLE_PROBE = {
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_openrouter_preset_validation.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_openrouter_preset_validation.py
index 292df9d8c9..a7e280221b 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_openrouter_preset_validation.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_openrouter_preset_validation.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ from unittest.mock import patch
 
 import pytest
 
-from hermes_cli.models import validate_requested_model
+from hermes_cli.models_validate import validate_requested_model
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_openrouter_reasoning_metadata.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_openrouter_reasoning_metadata.py
index f4e6d5d620..96499ce6ff 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_openrouter_reasoning_metadata.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_openrouter_reasoning_metadata.py
@@ -10,10 +10,8 @@ Covers:
 
 import pytest
 
-from hermes_cli.models import (
-    clamp_reasoning_effort_to_supported,
-    parse_openrouter_reasoning_capabilities,
-)
+from hermes_cli.models import clamp_reasoning_effort_to_supported
+from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import parse_openrouter_reasoning_capabilities
 
 
 class TestParseReasoningCapabilities:
@@ -121,7 +119,7 @@ class TestOpenRouterModelReasoningCapabilities:
         monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_openrouter_reasoning_caps_failed_at", None)
 
     def test_known_model(self, monkeypatch):
-        from hermes_cli.models import openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities
+        from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities
         self._prime_cache(monkeypatch, {
             "nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra": {
                 "supports_reasoning": True,
@@ -133,19 +131,19 @@ class TestOpenRouterModelReasoningCapabilities:
         assert caps["supports_reasoning"] is True
 
     def test_unlisted_model_returns_none(self, monkeypatch):
-        from hermes_cli.models import openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities
+        from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities
         self._prime_cache(monkeypatch, {"a/b": {"supports_reasoning": True}})
         assert openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities("private/custom") is None
 
     def test_empty_model_returns_none(self, monkeypatch):
-        from hermes_cli.models import openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities
+        from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities
         self._prime_cache(monkeypatch, {"a/b": {"supports_reasoning": True}})
         assert openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities("") is None
         assert openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities(None) is None
 
     def test_catalog_unreachable_returns_none_and_rate_limits(self, monkeypatch):
         import hermes_cli.models as models_mod
-        from hermes_cli.models import openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities
+        from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities
 
         monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_openrouter_reasoning_caps_cache", None)
         monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_openrouter_reasoning_caps_failed_at", None)
@@ -163,7 +161,7 @@ class TestOpenRouterModelReasoningCapabilities:
 
     def test_cache_only_by_default_never_fetches(self, monkeypatch):
         import hermes_cli.models as models_mod
-        from hermes_cli.models import openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities
+        from hermes_cli.models_reasoning_caps import openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities
 
         monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_openrouter_reasoning_caps_cache", None)
         monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_openrouter_reasoning_caps_failed_at", None)
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_pricing_cache_auth_key.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_pricing_cache_auth_key.py
index d9846097fd..4aacc9db28 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_pricing_cache_auth_key.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_pricing_cache_auth_key.py
@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@ from unittest.mock import MagicMock
 import pytest
 
 import hermes_cli.models as models_mod
-from hermes_cli.models import fetch_models_with_pricing, peek_cached_pricing
+from hermes_cli import models_pricing
+from hermes_cli.models_pricing import fetch_models_with_pricing, peek_cached_pricing
 
 BASE = "https://inference-api.example.com"
 
@@ -23,11 +24,11 @@ _FILTERED = ["vendor/allowed"]
 
 @pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
 def _clear_pricing_cache():
-    models_mod._pricing_cache.clear()
-    models_mod._pricing_cache_retry_after.clear()
+    models_pricing._pricing_cache.clear()
+    models_pricing._pricing_cache_retry_after.clear()
     yield
-    models_mod._pricing_cache.clear()
-    models_mod._pricing_cache_retry_after.clear()
+    models_pricing._pricing_cache.clear()
+    models_pricing._pricing_cache_retry_after.clear()
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
@@ -96,7 +97,7 @@ def test_one_token_does_not_receive_another_tokens_catalog(per_org_catalog):
 
 def test_credential_value_does_not_appear_in_the_cache_key():
     """Guards against keying on the raw token."""
-    assert "sk-super-secret" not in models_mod._pricing_auth_fingerprint("sk-super-secret")
+    assert "sk-super-secret" not in models_pricing._pricing_auth_fingerprint("sk-super-secret")
 
 
 def test_anonymous_and_authenticated_reads_are_separate(catalog):
@@ -159,7 +160,7 @@ class TestNousCatalogExpiry:
     a long-lived process holds the entry."""
 
     def test_entry_expires_so_a_policy_change_is_picked_up(self, catalog, monkeypatch):
-        from hermes_cli.models import _NOUS_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS
+        from hermes_cli.models_pricing import _NOUS_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS
 
         fetch_models_with_pricing(
             api_key="sk-test", base_url=BASE,
@@ -196,7 +197,7 @@ class TestNousCatalogExpiry:
 
     def test_peek_skips_an_expired_entry(self, catalog, monkeypatch):
         """Reading _pricing_cache directly walked straight past the TTL."""
-        from hermes_cli.models import _NOUS_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS
+        from hermes_cli.models_pricing import _NOUS_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS
 
         fetch_models_with_pricing(
             api_key="sk-test", base_url=BASE,
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_provider_groups.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_provider_groups.py
index d8a9be99d7..6be7051234 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_provider_groups.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_provider_groups.py
@@ -6,12 +6,8 @@ These are invariant tests, not catalog snapshots: they assert how
 vendors, which is expected to change over time.
 """
 
-from hermes_cli.models import (
-    CANONICAL_PROVIDERS,
-    PROVIDER_GROUPS,
-    group_providers,
-    provider_group_for_slug,
-)
+from hermes_cli.models import CANONICAL_PROVIDERS
+from hermes_cli.models_catalog_static import PROVIDER_GROUPS, group_providers, provider_group_for_slug
 
 
 def _slugs(rows):
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_reasoning_caps_disk_cache.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_reasoning_caps_disk_cache.py
index 3b6dcd1759..4ded3cbb29 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_reasoning_caps_disk_cache.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_reasoning_caps_disk_cache.py
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ import json
 import pytest
 
 import hermes_cli.models as models_mod
+from hermes_cli import models_pricing
+from hermes_cli import models_reasoning_caps
 
 
 _CATALOG = json.dumps({
@@ -95,16 +97,16 @@ def test_fetched_catalog_answers_a_later_process_offline(
         models_mod, "_urlopen_model_catalog_request",
         lambda req, *, timeout: _response(_CATALOG),
     )
-    assert models_mod.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities(
+    assert models_reasoning_caps.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities(
         "deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro", allow_fetch=True
     ) is not None
 
     cold_process()
     monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_urlopen_model_catalog_request", offline)
 
-    caps = models_mod.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities("deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro")
+    caps = models_reasoning_caps.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities("deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro")
     assert caps["mandatory"] is False
-    mandatory = models_mod.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities(
+    mandatory = models_reasoning_caps.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities(
         "arcee-ai/trinity-large-thinking"
     )
     assert mandatory["mandatory"] is True
@@ -121,14 +123,14 @@ def test_mirror_is_keyed_by_catalog_url(cold_process, offline, monkeypatch):
         models_mod, "_urlopen_model_catalog_request",
         lambda req, *, timeout: _response(_CATALOG),
     )
-    models_mod.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities(
+    models_reasoning_caps.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities(
         "deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro", allow_fetch=True
     )
 
     cold_process()
     monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_urlopen_model_catalog_request", offline)
 
-    assert models_mod.openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities(
+    assert models_reasoning_caps.openrouter_model_reasoning_capabilities(
         "deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro"
     ) is None
 
@@ -140,7 +142,7 @@ def test_staging_portal_does_not_read_productions_mirror(
         models_mod, "_urlopen_model_catalog_request",
         lambda req, *, timeout: _response(_CATALOG),
     )
-    models_mod.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities(
+    models_reasoning_caps.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities(
         "deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro", allow_fetch=True
     )
 
@@ -148,7 +150,7 @@ def test_staging_portal_does_not_read_productions_mirror(
     monkeypatch.setenv("NOUS_INFERENCE_BASE_URL", "https://staging.nousresearch.com")
     monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_urlopen_model_catalog_request", offline)
 
-    assert models_mod.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities(
+    assert models_reasoning_caps.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities(
         "deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro"
     ) is None
 
@@ -159,29 +161,29 @@ def test_stale_copy_is_still_served(cold_process, offline, monkeypatch):
     Refusing to read an aged mirror would put every long-idle install back on
     the cold-start fallback it exists to prevent.
     """
-    url = models_mod.nous_catalog_url()
-    models_mod._save_reasoning_caps_disk(
+    url = models_reasoning_caps.nous_catalog_url()
+    models_reasoning_caps._save_reasoning_caps_disk(
         url, {"deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro": {"supports_reasoning": True, "mandatory": False}}
     )
-    raw = json.loads(models_mod._reasoning_caps_disk_path().read_text())
+    raw = json.loads(models_reasoning_caps._reasoning_caps_disk_path().read_text())
     raw[url]["ts"] = 0  # epoch — far past any TTL
-    models_mod._reasoning_caps_disk_path().write_text(json.dumps(raw))
+    models_reasoning_caps._reasoning_caps_disk_path().write_text(json.dumps(raw))
 
     cold_process()
     monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_urlopen_model_catalog_request", offline)
 
-    caps = models_mod.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities("deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro")
+    caps = models_reasoning_caps.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities("deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro")
     assert caps["mandatory"] is False
 
 
 def test_unreadable_mirror_degrades_to_unknown(cold_process, offline, monkeypatch):
     """A corrupt file answers "unknown", never raises into the request path."""
-    path = models_mod._reasoning_caps_disk_path()
+    path = models_reasoning_caps._reasoning_caps_disk_path()
     path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
     path.write_text("{ this is not json")
 
     monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_urlopen_model_catalog_request", offline)
-    assert models_mod.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities("deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro") is None
+    assert models_reasoning_caps.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities("deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro") is None
 
 
 def test_pricing_fetch_seeds_the_mirror(cold_process, offline, monkeypatch):
@@ -190,20 +192,20 @@ def test_pricing_fetch_seeds_the_mirror(cold_process, offline, monkeypatch):
     Every surface that renders prices goes through here, so the common case
     never pays a second round-trip to learn the same thing.
     """
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_pricing_cache", {})
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_pricing_cache_retry_after", {})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_pricing_cache", {})
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_pricing, "_pricing_cache_retry_after", {})
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         models_mod, "_urlopen_model_catalog_request",
         lambda req, *, timeout: _response(_CATALOG),
     )
-    models_mod.fetch_models_with_pricing(
+    models_pricing.fetch_models_with_pricing(
         base_url="https://inference-api.nousresearch.com"
     )
 
     cold_process()
     monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_urlopen_model_catalog_request", offline)
 
-    caps = models_mod.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities("deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro")
+    caps = models_reasoning_caps.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities("deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro")
     assert caps is not None
 
 
@@ -215,8 +217,8 @@ def test_a_missing_mirror_is_looked_for_once_per_process(cold_process, monkeypat
     token. Both halves have to be paid at most once.
     """
     counts = {"url": 0, "read": 0}
-    real_url = models_mod.nous_catalog_url
-    real_read = models_mod._read_reasoning_caps_disk
+    real_url = models_reasoning_caps.nous_catalog_url
+    real_read = models_reasoning_caps._read_reasoning_caps_disk
 
     def _counting_url():
         counts["url"] += 1
@@ -226,9 +228,9 @@ def test_a_missing_mirror_is_looked_for_once_per_process(cold_process, monkeypat
         counts["read"] += 1
         return real_read()
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "nous_catalog_url", _counting_url)
-    monkeypatch.setattr(models_mod, "_read_reasoning_caps_disk", _counting_read)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_reasoning_caps, "nous_catalog_url", _counting_url)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(models_reasoning_caps, "_read_reasoning_caps_disk", _counting_read)
     for _ in range(5):
-        models_mod.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities("deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro")
+        models_reasoning_caps.nous_model_reasoning_capabilities("deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro")
 
     assert counts == {"url": 1, "read": 1}
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_sale_pricing.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_sale_pricing.py
index 251a65af10..f4dc6cf255 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_sale_pricing.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_sale_pricing.py
@@ -6,10 +6,8 @@ import json
 from unittest.mock import MagicMock
 
 import hermes_cli.models as models_mod
-from hermes_cli.models import (
-    compute_sale_discount,
-    fetch_models_with_pricing,
-)
+from hermes_cli import models_pricing
+from hermes_cli.models_pricing import compute_sale_discount, fetch_models_with_pricing
 
 
 def test_free_model_gets_flat_100_percent_discount():
@@ -31,7 +29,7 @@ def test_paid_model_without_original_shows_no_sale():
 
 
 def test_fetch_models_with_pricing_copies_nested_original(monkeypatch):
-    models_mod._pricing_cache.clear()
+    models_pricing._pricing_cache.clear()
     payload = {
         "data": [
             {
@@ -100,7 +98,7 @@ def test_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials_honors_inference_env_override(monkeypa
         "hermes_cli.auth.resolve_nous_runtime_credentials",
         lambda: None,
     )
-    api_key, base_url = models_mod._resolve_nous_pricing_credentials()
+    api_key, base_url = models_pricing._resolve_nous_pricing_credentials()
     assert api_key == ""
     # The bare origin, whichever form the override was written in: callers
     # append their own path (``/v1/models``), so a suffix here would double up.
@@ -119,7 +117,7 @@ def test_resolve_nous_pricing_credentials_normalizes_either_suffix(monkeypatch):
         "https://stg-inference-api.nousresearch.com/v1/",
     ):
         monkeypatch.setenv("NOUS_INFERENCE_BASE_URL", override)
-        assert models_mod._resolve_nous_pricing_credentials()[1] == (
+        assert models_pricing._resolve_nous_pricing_credentials()[1] == (
             "https://stg-inference-api.nousresearch.com"
         )
 
@@ -131,8 +129,8 @@ def test_a_failed_catalog_fetch_is_not_cached_forever(monkeypatch):
     call, but it expires — the processes that read this run for weeks, and
     every caller silently falls back to a curated list meanwhile.
     """
-    models_mod._pricing_cache.clear()
-    models_mod._pricing_cache_retry_after.clear()
+    models_pricing._pricing_cache.clear()
+    models_pricing._pricing_cache_retry_after.clear()
 
     calls = []
 
@@ -151,7 +149,7 @@ def test_a_failed_catalog_fetch_is_not_cached_forever(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         models_mod.time,
         "monotonic",
-        lambda: now + models_mod._FAILED_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS + 1,
+        lambda: now + models_pricing._FAILED_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS + 1,
     )
     assert fetch_models_with_pricing(base_url="https://example.test") == {}
     assert len(calls) == 2
@@ -159,8 +157,8 @@ def test_a_failed_catalog_fetch_is_not_cached_forever(monkeypatch):
 
 def test_a_successful_catalog_fetch_stays_cached(monkeypatch):
     """Only the failures expire; a real catalog is still fetched once."""
-    models_mod._pricing_cache.clear()
-    models_mod._pricing_cache_retry_after.clear()
+    models_pricing._pricing_cache.clear()
+    models_pricing._pricing_cache_retry_after.clear()
 
     calls = []
     body = json.dumps(
@@ -182,7 +180,7 @@ def test_a_successful_catalog_fetch_stays_cached(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         models_mod.time,
         "monotonic",
-        lambda: now + models_mod._FAILED_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS + 1,
+        lambda: now + models_pricing._FAILED_CATALOG_TTL_SECONDS + 1,
     )
     assert "a/b" in fetch_models_with_pricing(base_url="https://example.test")
     assert len(calls) == 1
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_status_model_provider.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_status_model_provider.py
index ebed771cc4..e19bf7da8c 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_status_model_provider.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_status_model_provider.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def test_show_status_reports_empty_lmstudio_listing_as_reachable(monkeypatch, ca
     monkeypatch.setattr(status_mod, "resolve_provider", lambda requested=None, **kwargs: "lmstudio", raising=False)
     monkeypatch.setattr(status_mod, "provider_label", lambda provider: "LM Studio", raising=False)
     monkeypatch.setattr(
-        "hermes_cli.models.probe_lmstudio_models",
+        "hermes_cli.models_local.probe_lmstudio_models",
         lambda api_key=None, base_url=None, timeout=5.0: [],
     )
 
diff --git a/tests/hermes_cli/test_user_providers_model_switch.py b/tests/hermes_cli/test_user_providers_model_switch.py
index 5fe4a74178..963ab9c98f 100644
--- a/tests/hermes_cli/test_user_providers_model_switch.py
+++ b/tests/hermes_cli/test_user_providers_model_switch.py
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ def test_switch_model_resolves_user_provider_credentials(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
     
     # Mock validation to pass
     monkeypatch.setattr(
-        "hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model",
+        "hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model",
         lambda *a, **k: {"accepted": True, "persist": True, "recognized": True, "message": None}
     )
     
@@ -443,7 +443,7 @@ def _run_user_provider_override_case(
     with patch("hermes_cli.model_switch.resolve_alias", return_value=None), \
          patch("hermes_cli.model_switch.list_provider_models", return_value=[]), \
          patch("hermes_cli.model_switch.normalize_model_for_provider", side_effect=lambda model, provider: model), \
-         patch("hermes_cli.models.validate_requested_model", return_value=_REJECTED_VALIDATION), \
+         patch("hermes_cli.models_validate.validate_requested_model", return_value=_REJECTED_VALIDATION), \
          patch("hermes_cli.models.detect_provider_for_model", return_value=None), \
          patch("hermes_cli.model_switch.get_model_info", return_value=None), \
          patch("hermes_cli.model_switch.get_model_capabilities", return_value=None), \
diff --git a/tests/plugins/model_providers/test_ollama_cloud_profile.py b/tests/plugins/model_providers/test_ollama_cloud_profile.py
index 540a509aa4..e93a09ce7d 100644
--- a/tests/plugins/model_providers/test_ollama_cloud_profile.py
+++ b/tests/plugins/model_providers/test_ollama_cloud_profile.py
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ class TestOllamaModelSupportsThinking:
         monkeypatch.setattr(httpx, "Client", _Client)
 
     def test_thinking_capability_true(self, monkeypatch):
-        from hermes_cli.models import ollama_model_supports_thinking
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import ollama_model_supports_thinking
 
         self._patch_show(monkeypatch, capabilities=["completion", "tools", "thinking"])
         assert (
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ class TestOllamaModelSupportsThinking:
 
 
     def test_probe_failure_returns_none(self, monkeypatch):
-        from hermes_cli.models import ollama_model_supports_thinking
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import ollama_model_supports_thinking
 
         self._patch_show(monkeypatch, status=404)
         assert (
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ class TestOllamaModelSupportsThinking:
         )
 
     def test_exception_returns_none(self, monkeypatch):
-        from hermes_cli.models import ollama_model_supports_thinking
+        from hermes_cli.models_local import ollama_model_supports_thinking
 
         self._patch_show(monkeypatch, raise_exc=RuntimeError("boom"))
         assert (
diff --git a/tests/run_agent/test_lmstudio_load_mode.py b/tests/run_agent/test_lmstudio_load_mode.py
index 8cf4860313..43f5391ac2 100644
--- a/tests/run_agent/test_lmstudio_load_mode.py
+++ b/tests/run_agent/test_lmstudio_load_mode.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from types import SimpleNamespace
 from typing import Any, cast
 
-from hermes_cli.models import LMStudioLoadResult
+from hermes_cli.models_local import LMStudioLoadResult
 from run_agent import AIAgent
 
 
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ def test_lmstudio_jit_load_mode_skips_explicit_preload(monkeypatch):
         calls.append((args, kwargs))
         return LMStudioLoadResult(64_000)
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models.ensure_lmstudio_model_loaded", fake_ensure)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("hermes_cli.models_local.ensure_lmstudio_model_loaded", fake_ensure)
 
     result = AIAgent._ensure_lmstudio_runtime_loaded(cast(Any, _agent("jit")))
 
diff --git a/tests/run_agent/test_switch_model_context.py b/tests/run_agent/test_switch_model_context.py
index 79e7b0812f..f7dff8d633 100644
--- a/tests/run_agent/test_switch_model_context.py
+++ b/tests/run_agent/test_switch_model_context.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
 
 import pytest
 
-from hermes_cli.models import LMStudioLoadResult
+from hermes_cli.models_local import LMStudioLoadResult
 from run_agent import AIAgent
 from hermes_cli.route_identity import normalize_route_base_url
 from agent.context_compressor import ContextCompressor
diff --git a/tests/test_minimax_model_validation.py b/tests/test_minimax_model_validation.py
index 76ef96c1ee..05fa4c447c 100644
--- a/tests/test_minimax_model_validation.py
+++ b/tests/test_minimax_model_validation.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from unittest.mock import patch
 
 import pytest
 
-from hermes_cli.models import validate_requested_model
+from hermes_cli.models_validate import validate_requested_model
 
 
 class TestMiniMaxModelValidation: