diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ca3a177c2b..7897368a88 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ Developers pay $20–200/month for Claude Pro, Codex Pro, or GitHub Copilot. Eve
 - **Provider Limits Tracking** — Cached quota snapshots refresh on a server-side schedule (default `PROVIDER_LIMITS_SYNC_INTERVAL_MINUTES=70`) with manual refresh available in the UI
 - **Multi-Account Support** — Multiple accounts per provider with auto round-robin — when one runs out, switches to the next
 - **Custom Combos** — Customizable fallback chains with 13 balancing strategies (priority, weighted, fill-first, round-robin, P2C, random, least-used, cost-optimized, strict-random, auto, lkgp, context-optimized, **context-relay**)
-- **Structured Combo Builder** — Build combos step-by-step with explicit provider + model + account selection, including repeated providers and fixed-account targets
+- **Structured Combo Builder** — Build combos with guided steps or expert single-page editing, including explicit provider + model + account selection, repeated providers, fixed-account targets, and direct model entry
 - **Quota-Aware P2C** — Power-of-two account selection now factors quota headroom, backoff, recent errors, and consecutive use
 - **Codex Business Quotas** — Business/Team workspace quota monitoring directly in the dashboard
 
diff --git a/scripts/build-next-isolated.mjs b/scripts/build-next-isolated.mjs
index 66ab563a52..f811076364 100644
--- a/scripts/build-next-isolated.mjs
+++ b/scripts/build-next-isolated.mjs
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ export async function movePath(sourcePath, destinationPath, fsImpl = fs) {
 function runNextBuild() {
   return new Promise((resolve) => {
     const nextBin = path.join(projectRoot, "node_modules", "next", "dist", "bin", "next");
-    const child = spawn(process.execPath, [nextBin, "build"], {
+    const child = spawn(process.execPath, [nextBin, "build", resolveNextBuildBundlerFlag()], {
       cwd: projectRoot,
       stdio: "inherit",
       env: resolveNextBuildEnv(process.env),
@@ -97,6 +97,10 @@ function runNextBuild() {
   });
 }
 
+export function resolveNextBuildBundlerFlag(baseEnv = process.env) {
+  return baseEnv.OMNIROUTE_USE_TURBOPACK === "1" ? "--turbopack" : "--webpack";
+}
+
 export function resolveNextBuildEnv(baseEnv = process.env) {
   return {
     ...baseEnv,
diff --git a/src/app/(dashboard)/dashboard/combos/page.tsx b/src/app/(dashboard)/dashboard/combos/page.tsx
index 376f037b49..35d751aaac 100644
--- a/src/app/(dashboard)/dashboard/combos/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(dashboard)/dashboard/combos/page.tsx
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import { ROUTING_STRATEGIES } from "@/shared/constants/routingStrategies";
 import {
   COMBO_BUILDER_AUTO_CONNECTION,
   COMBO_BUILDER_STAGES,
+  buildManualComboModelStep,
   buildPrecisionComboModelStep,
   canAccessComboBuilderStage,
   findNextSuggestedConnectionId,
@@ -30,7 +31,9 @@ import {
   hasExactModelStepDuplicate,
   isIntelligentBuilderStrategy,
   parseQualifiedModel,
+  resolveComboBuilderProviderId,
 } from "@/lib/combos/builderDraft";
+import { normalizeComboConfigMode } from "@/shared/constants/comboConfigMode";
 import BuilderIntelligentStep from "./BuilderIntelligentStep";
 import IntelligentComboPanel from "./IntelligentComboPanel";
 import {
@@ -442,7 +445,11 @@ function getStrategyBadgeClass(strategy) {
 }
 
 function getI18nOrFallback(t, key, fallback) {
-  if (typeof t.has === "function" && t.has(key)) return t(key);
+  try {
+    if (typeof t.has === "function" && t.has(key)) return t(key);
+  } catch {
+    // Some translations require ICU variables; fallback keeps optional helper text safe.
+  }
   return fallback;
 }
 
@@ -598,6 +605,7 @@ export default function CombosPage() {
   const [comboDragIndex, setComboDragIndex] = useState(null);
   const [comboDragOverIndex, setComboDragOverIndex] = useState(null);
   const [savingComboOrder, setSavingComboOrder] = useState(false);
+  const [comboConfigMode, setComboConfigMode] = useState("guided");
   const [selectedIntelligentComboId, setSelectedIntelligentComboId] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const comboDragIndexRef = useRef<number | null>(null);
   const activeFilter = normalizeIntelligentRoutingFilter(searchParams.get("filter"));
@@ -638,6 +646,10 @@ export default function CombosPage() {
 
   useEffect(() => {
     fetchData();
+    fetch("/api/settings")
+      .then((r) => (r.ok ? r.json() : null))
+      .then((settings) => setComboConfigMode(normalizeComboConfigMode(settings?.comboConfigMode)))
+      .catch(() => setComboConfigMode("guided"));
     fetch("/api/settings/proxy")
       .then((r) => (r.ok ? r.json() : null))
       .then((c) => setProxyConfig(c))
@@ -1161,6 +1173,7 @@ export default function CombosPage() {
         onSave={handleCreate}
         activeProviders={activeProviders}
         combo={null}
+        comboConfigMode={comboConfigMode}
       />
 
       {/* Edit Modal */}
@@ -1171,6 +1184,7 @@ export default function CombosPage() {
         onClose={() => setEditingCombo(null)}
         onSave={(data) => handleUpdate(editingCombo.id, data)}
         activeProviders={activeProviders}
+        comboConfigMode={comboConfigMode}
       />
 
       {/* Proxy Config Modal */}
@@ -1380,20 +1394,22 @@ function StrategyRecommendationsPanel({ strategy, onApply, showNudge }) {
   );
 }
 
-function FieldLabelWithHelp({ label, help }) {
+function FieldLabelWithHelp({ label, help, showHelp = true }) {
   return (
     <div className="flex items-center gap-1 mb-0.5">
       <label className="text-[10px] text-text-muted">{label}</label>
-      <Tooltip content={help}>
-        <span className="material-symbols-outlined text-[12px] text-text-muted cursor-help">
-          help
-        </span>
-      </Tooltip>
+      {showHelp && (
+        <Tooltip content={help}>
+          <span className="material-symbols-outlined text-[12px] text-text-muted cursor-help">
+            help
+          </span>
+        </Tooltip>
+      )}
     </div>
   );
 }
 
-function ComboReadinessPanel({ checks, blockers }) {
+function ComboReadinessPanel({ checks, blockers, showDescription = true }) {
   const t = useTranslations("combos");
   const hasBlockers = blockers.length > 0;
 
@@ -1421,13 +1437,15 @@ function ComboReadinessPanel({ checks, blockers }) {
         </p>
       </div>
 
-      <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-0.5">
-        {getI18nOrFallback(
-          t,
-          "readinessDescription",
-          "Review the checklist before creating or updating this combo."
-        )}
-      </p>
+      {showDescription && (
+        <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-0.5">
+          {getI18nOrFallback(
+            t,
+            "readinessDescription",
+            "Review the checklist before creating or updating this combo."
+          )}
+        </p>
+      )}
 
       <div className="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 gap-1 mt-2">
         {checks.map((check) => (
@@ -1772,7 +1790,7 @@ function TestResultsView({ results }) {
 // ─────────────────────────────────────────────
 // Combo Form Modal
 // ─────────────────────────────────────────────
-function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
+function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders, comboConfigMode }) {
   type CreateDraftSnapshot = {
     name: string;
     models: unknown[];
@@ -1804,6 +1822,7 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
   const tc = useTranslations("common");
   const emailsVisible = useEmailPrivacyStore((s) => s.emailsVisible);
   const notify = useNotificationStore();
+  const isExpertMode = normalizeComboConfigMode(comboConfigMode) === "expert";
   const createDraftStateRef = useRef<CreateDraftSnapshot>(getEmptyCreateDraftSnapshot());
   const [name, setName] = useState(combo?.name || "");
   const [models, setModels] = useState(() => {
@@ -1821,6 +1840,8 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
   const [builderProviderId, setBuilderProviderId] = useState("");
   const [builderModelId, setBuilderModelId] = useState("");
   const [builderConnectionId, setBuilderConnectionId] = useState(COMBO_BUILDER_AUTO_CONNECTION);
+  const [manualModelInput, setManualModelInput] = useState("");
+  const [manualModelError, setManualModelError] = useState("");
   const [builderComboRefName, setBuilderComboRefName] = useState("");
   const [builderError, setBuilderError] = useState("");
   const [builderStage, setBuilderStage] = useState<string>(COMBO_BUILDER_STAGES[0]);
@@ -1860,13 +1881,13 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
       setModels((nextCombo?.models || []).map((m) => normalizeModelEntry(m)));
       setStrategy(nextCombo?.strategy || comboDefaults?.strategy || "priority");
       setConfig(nextConfig);
-      setShowAdvanced(false);
+      setShowAdvanced(isExpertMode);
       setNameError("");
       setAgentSystemMessage(nextCombo?.system_message || "");
       setAgentToolFilter(nextCombo?.tool_filter_regex || "");
       setAgentContextCache(!!nextCombo?.context_cache_protection);
     },
-    [setAgentContextCache]
+    [isExpertMode, setAgentContextCache]
   );
 
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -1948,6 +1969,12 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
       : null;
   const builderHasDuplicate =
     builderCandidateStep && hasExactModelStepDuplicate(models, builderCandidateStep);
+  const manualModelStep = buildManualComboModelStep({
+    value: manualModelInput,
+    providers: builderProviders,
+  });
+  const manualModelHasDuplicate =
+    manualModelStep && hasExactModelStepDuplicate(models, manualModelStep);
   const weightTotal = models.reduce((sum, modelEntry) => sum + (modelEntry.weight || 0), 0);
   const pricedModelCount = models.reduce(
     (count, modelEntry) => count + (hasPricingForModel(modelEntry.model) ? 1 : 0),
@@ -2055,6 +2082,7 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
       )
     );
   }
+  const showInlineReadinessPanel = !isExpertMode || saveBlockers.length > 0;
 
   const fetchModalData = async () => {
     setBuilderLoading(true);
@@ -2103,6 +2131,8 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
     setBuilderProviderId("");
     setBuilderModelId("");
     setBuilderConnectionId(COMBO_BUILDER_AUTO_CONNECTION);
+    setManualModelInput("");
+    setManualModelError("");
     setBuilderComboRefName("");
     setBuilderError("");
     setBuilderStage("basics");
@@ -2133,7 +2163,7 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
           draft.models.length === 0 &&
           draft.strategy === "priority" &&
           Object.keys(draft.config || {}).length === 0 &&
-          draft.showAdvanced === false &&
+          (draft.showAdvanced === false || (isExpertMode && draft.showAdvanced === true)) &&
           draft.nameError.length === 0 &&
           draft.agentSystemMessage.length === 0 &&
           draft.agentToolFilter.length === 0 &&
@@ -2152,7 +2182,7 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
     return () => {
       cancelled = true;
     };
-  }, [combo, getEmptyCreateDraftSnapshot, isOpen, resetFormForCombo]);
+  }, [combo, getEmptyCreateDraftSnapshot, isExpertMode, isOpen, resetFormForCombo]);
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!isOpen) return;
@@ -2271,6 +2301,54 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
     );
   };
 
+  const handleAddManualModel = () => {
+    const parsedManualModel = parseQualifiedModel(manualModelInput);
+    if (!parsedManualModel) {
+      setManualModelError(
+        getI18nOrFallback(t, "manualModelInvalid", "Enter a model as provider/model.")
+      );
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const resolvedProviderId = resolveComboBuilderProviderId(
+      parsedManualModel.providerId,
+      builderProviders
+    );
+    if (!resolvedProviderId) {
+      setManualModelError(
+        getI18nOrFallback(t, "manualModelUnknownProvider", "Unknown provider prefix.")
+      );
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const nextStep = buildManualComboModelStep({
+      value: manualModelInput,
+      providers: builderProviders,
+    });
+
+    if (!nextStep) {
+      setManualModelError(
+        getI18nOrFallback(t, "manualModelInvalid", "Enter a model as provider/model.")
+      );
+      return;
+    }
+
+    if (hasExactModelStepDuplicate(models, nextStep)) {
+      setManualModelError(
+        getI18nOrFallback(
+          t,
+          "builderDuplicateExact",
+          "This exact provider/model/account step is already in the combo."
+        )
+      );
+      return;
+    }
+
+    setModels([...models, nextStep]);
+    setManualModelInput("");
+    setManualModelError("");
+  };
+
   const handleAddComboReference = () => {
     if (!builderComboRefName) return;
 
@@ -2501,6 +2579,13 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
   };
 
   const isEdit = !!combo;
+  const showBasicsSection = isExpertMode || builderStage === "basics";
+  const showStepsSection = isExpertMode || builderStage === "steps";
+  const showStrategySection = isExpertMode || builderStage === "strategy";
+  const showIntelligentSection =
+    usesIntelligentBuilderStage && (isExpertMode || builderStage === "intelligent");
+  const showReviewSection = !isExpertMode && builderStage === "review";
+  const advancedConfigVisible = isExpertMode || showAdvanced;
 
   return (
     <>
@@ -2511,117 +2596,122 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
         size="full"
       >
         <div className="flex flex-col gap-3">
-          <div className="rounded-lg border border-black/8 dark:border-white/8 bg-black/[0.02] dark:bg-white/[0.02] p-3">
-            <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-2 mb-2">
-              <div>
-                <p className="text-xs font-semibold text-text-main">
-                  {getI18nOrFallback(t, "builderFlowTitle", "Combo Builder Flow")}
-                </p>
-                <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-0.5">
-                  {getI18nOrFallback(
-                    t,
-                    "builderStagesDescription",
-                    "Move through the stages in order to define the combo, build the steps, choose the routing strategy and review the result."
-                  )}
-                </p>
+          {!isExpertMode && (
+            <div className="rounded-lg border border-black/8 dark:border-white/8 bg-black/[0.02] dark:bg-white/[0.02] p-3">
+              <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-2 mb-2">
+                <div>
+                  <p className="text-xs font-semibold text-text-main">
+                    {getI18nOrFallback(t, "builderFlowTitle", "Combo Builder Flow")}
+                  </p>
+                  <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-0.5">
+                    {getI18nOrFallback(
+                      t,
+                      "builderStagesDescription",
+                      "Move through the stages in order to define the combo, build the steps, choose the routing strategy and review the result."
+                    )}
+                  </p>
+                </div>
+                <span className="text-[10px] uppercase tracking-wide text-text-muted">
+                  {Math.max(currentStageIndex + 1, 1)}/{visibleStageMeta.length}
+                </span>
               </div>
-              <span className="text-[10px] uppercase tracking-wide text-text-muted">
-                {Math.max(currentStageIndex + 1, 1)}/{visibleStageMeta.length}
-              </span>
-            </div>
 
-            <div className="grid grid-cols-2 md:grid-cols-5 gap-2">
-              {visibleStageMeta.map((stageMeta, index) => {
-                const isActive = builderStage === stageMeta.id;
-                const canVisitStage = isActive
-                  ? true
-                  : canAccessComboBuilderStage(stageMeta.id, builderStageChecks, { strategy });
-                const isCompleted =
-                  stageMeta.id === "review"
-                    ? false
-                    : stageMeta.id === "basics"
-                      ? builderStageChecks.basics
-                      : stageMeta.id === "steps"
-                        ? builderStageChecks.steps
-                        : stageMeta.id === "intelligent"
-                          ? usesIntelligentBuilderStage
-                          : builderStageChecks.strategy;
+              <div className="grid grid-cols-2 md:grid-cols-5 gap-2">
+                {visibleStageMeta.map((stageMeta, index) => {
+                  const isActive = builderStage === stageMeta.id;
+                  const canVisitStage = isActive
+                    ? true
+                    : canAccessComboBuilderStage(stageMeta.id, builderStageChecks, { strategy });
+                  const isCompleted =
+                    stageMeta.id === "review"
+                      ? false
+                      : stageMeta.id === "basics"
+                        ? builderStageChecks.basics
+                        : stageMeta.id === "steps"
+                          ? builderStageChecks.steps
+                          : stageMeta.id === "intelligent"
+                            ? usesIntelligentBuilderStage
+                            : builderStageChecks.strategy;
 
-                return (
-                  <button
-                    key={stageMeta.id}
-                    type="button"
-                    data-testid={`combo-builder-stage-${stageMeta.id}`}
-                    onClick={() => {
-                      if (!canVisitStage) return;
-                      setBuilderStage(stageMeta.id);
-                    }}
-                    disabled={!canVisitStage}
-                    className={`text-left rounded-lg border px-3 py-2 transition-all ${
-                      isActive
-                        ? "border-primary bg-primary/8"
-                        : canVisitStage
-                          ? "border-black/8 dark:border-white/8 bg-white/60 dark:bg-white/[0.02] hover:border-primary/40"
-                          : "border-black/6 dark:border-white/6 bg-black/[0.015] dark:bg-white/[0.015] opacity-60 cursor-not-allowed"
-                    }`}
-                  >
-                    <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
-                      <span
-                        className={`material-symbols-outlined text-[14px] ${
-                          isCompleted && !isActive
-                            ? "text-emerald-500"
-                            : isActive
-                              ? "text-primary"
-                              : "text-text-muted"
-                        }`}
-                      >
-                        {isCompleted && !isActive ? "check_circle" : stageMeta.icon}
-                      </span>
-                      <span className="text-[11px] font-semibold text-text-main">
+                  return (
+                    <button
+                      key={stageMeta.id}
+                      type="button"
+                      data-testid={`combo-builder-stage-${stageMeta.id}`}
+                      onClick={() => {
+                        if (!canVisitStage) return;
+                        setBuilderStage(stageMeta.id);
+                      }}
+                      disabled={!canVisitStage}
+                      className={`text-left rounded-lg border px-3 py-2 transition-all ${
+                        isActive
+                          ? "border-primary bg-primary/8"
+                          : canVisitStage
+                            ? "border-black/8 dark:border-white/8 bg-white/60 dark:bg-white/[0.02] hover:border-primary/40"
+                            : "border-black/6 dark:border-white/6 bg-black/[0.015] dark:bg-white/[0.015] opacity-60 cursor-not-allowed"
+                      }`}
+                    >
+                      <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5">
+                        <span
+                          className={`material-symbols-outlined text-[14px] ${
+                            isCompleted && !isActive
+                              ? "text-emerald-500"
+                              : isActive
+                                ? "text-primary"
+                                : "text-text-muted"
+                          }`}
+                        >
+                          {isCompleted && !isActive ? "check_circle" : stageMeta.icon}
+                        </span>
+                        <span className="text-[11px] font-semibold text-text-main">
+                          {getI18nOrFallback(
+                            t,
+                            `builderStage.${stageMeta.id}.label`,
+                            stageMeta.fallbackLabel
+                          )}
+                        </span>
+                      </div>
+                      <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-1 leading-[1.45]">
                         {getI18nOrFallback(
                           t,
-                          `builderStage.${stageMeta.id}.label`,
-                          stageMeta.fallbackLabel
+                          `builderStage.${stageMeta.id}.description`,
+                          stageMeta.fallbackDescription
                         )}
-                      </span>
-                    </div>
-                    <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-1 leading-[1.45]">
-                      {getI18nOrFallback(
-                        t,
-                        `builderStage.${stageMeta.id}.description`,
-                        stageMeta.fallbackDescription
-                      )}
-                    </p>
-                    <p className="text-[9px] uppercase tracking-wide mt-1 text-text-muted">
-                      {index < currentStageIndex
-                        ? getI18nOrFallback(t, "builderStageVisited", "Visited")
-                        : isActive
-                          ? getI18nOrFallback(t, "builderStageCurrent", "Current")
-                          : canVisitStage
-                            ? getI18nOrFallback(t, "builderStagePending", "Pending")
-                            : getI18nOrFallback(t, "builderStageLocked", "Locked")}
-                    </p>
-                  </button>
-                );
-              })}
+                      </p>
+                      <p className="text-[9px] uppercase tracking-wide mt-1 text-text-muted">
+                        {index < currentStageIndex
+                          ? getI18nOrFallback(t, "builderStageVisited", "Visited")
+                          : isActive
+                            ? getI18nOrFallback(t, "builderStageCurrent", "Current")
+                            : canVisitStage
+                              ? getI18nOrFallback(t, "builderStagePending", "Pending")
+                              : getI18nOrFallback(t, "builderStageLocked", "Locked")}
+                      </p>
+                    </button>
+                  );
+                })}
+              </div>
             </div>
-          </div>
+          )}
 
-          {builderStage === "basics" && (
+          {showBasicsSection && (
             <>
               {/* Name */}
               <div>
                 <Input
                   label={t("comboName")}
+                  data-testid="combo-name-input"
                   value={name}
                   onChange={handleNameChange}
                   placeholder={t("comboNamePlaceholder")}
                   error={nameError}
                 />
-                <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-0.5">{t("nameHint")}</p>
+                {!isExpertMode && (
+                  <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-0.5">{t("nameHint")}</p>
+                )}
               </div>
 
-              {!isEdit && (
+              {!isEdit && !isExpertMode && (
                 <div className="rounded-lg border border-black/8 dark:border-white/8 bg-black/[0.02] dark:bg-white/[0.02] p-3">
                   <div className="mb-2">
                     <p className="text-xs font-medium">
@@ -2680,15 +2770,17 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
           )}
 
           {/* Strategy Toggle */}
-          {builderStage === "strategy" && (
+          {showStrategySection && (
             <div>
               <div className="flex items-center gap-1 mb-1.5">
                 <label className="text-sm font-medium">{t("routingStrategy")}</label>
-                <Tooltip content={getStrategyDescription(t, strategy)}>
-                  <span className="material-symbols-outlined text-[13px] text-text-muted cursor-help">
-                    help
-                  </span>
-                </Tooltip>
+                {!isExpertMode && (
+                  <Tooltip content={getStrategyDescription(t, strategy)}>
+                    <span className="material-symbols-outlined text-[13px] text-text-muted cursor-help">
+                      help
+                    </span>
+                  </Tooltip>
+                )}
               </div>
               <div className="grid grid-cols-3 gap-1 p-0.5 bg-black/5 dark:bg-white/5 rounded-lg">
                 {STRATEGY_OPTIONS.map((s) => (
@@ -2696,11 +2788,12 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                     key={s.value}
                     onClick={() => setStrategy(s.value)}
                     data-testid={`strategy-option-${s.value}`}
-                    title={getStrategyDescription(t, s.value)}
-                    aria-label={`${getStrategyLabel(t, s.value)}. ${getStrategyDescription(
-                      t,
-                      s.value
-                    )}`}
+                    title={!isExpertMode ? getStrategyDescription(t, s.value) : undefined}
+                    aria-label={
+                      isExpertMode
+                        ? getStrategyLabel(t, s.value)
+                        : `${getStrategyLabel(t, s.value)}. ${getStrategyDescription(t, s.value)}`
+                    }
                     className={`py-1.5 px-2 rounded-md text-xs font-medium transition-all ${
                       strategy === s.value
                         ? "bg-white dark:bg-bg-main shadow-sm text-primary"
@@ -2714,23 +2807,27 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                   </button>
                 ))}
               </div>
-              <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-0.5">
-                {getStrategyDescription(t, strategy)}
-              </p>
-              <div className="mt-2">
-                <StrategyGuidanceCard strategy={strategy} />
-              </div>
-              <div className="mt-2">
-                <StrategyRecommendationsPanel
-                  strategy={strategy}
-                  onApply={applyStrategyRecommendations}
-                  showNudge={showStrategyNudge}
-                />
-              </div>
+              {!isExpertMode && (
+                <>
+                  <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-0.5">
+                    {getStrategyDescription(t, strategy)}
+                  </p>
+                  <div className="mt-2">
+                    <StrategyGuidanceCard strategy={strategy} />
+                  </div>
+                  <div className="mt-2">
+                    <StrategyRecommendationsPanel
+                      strategy={strategy}
+                      onApply={applyStrategyRecommendations}
+                      showNudge={showStrategyNudge}
+                    />
+                  </div>
+                </>
+              )}
             </div>
           )}
 
-          {builderStage === "intelligent" && (
+          {showIntelligentSection && (
             <BuilderIntelligentStep
               t={t}
               config={config}
@@ -2749,7 +2846,7 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
           )}
 
           {/* Models */}
-          {builderStage === "steps" && (
+          {showStepsSection && (
             <div>
               <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-1.5">
                 <label className="text-sm font-medium">{t("models")}</label>
@@ -2769,23 +2866,72 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                     <p className="text-xs font-semibold text-text-main">
                       {getI18nOrFallback(t, "builderTitle", "Precision Builder")}
                     </p>
-                    <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-0.5">
-                      {getI18nOrFallback(
-                        t,
-                        "builderStepsDescription",
-                        "Build each combo step in sequence: provider, model, then account. This allows repeating the same provider and model with different accounts."
-                      )}
-                    </p>
+                    {!isExpertMode && (
+                      <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-0.5">
+                        {getI18nOrFallback(
+                          t,
+                          "builderStepsDescription",
+                          "Build each combo step in sequence: provider, model, then account. This allows repeating the same provider and model with different accounts."
+                        )}
+                      </p>
+                    )}
                   </div>
-                  <button
-                    type="button"
-                    onClick={() => setShowModelSelect(true)}
-                    className="text-[10px] shrink-0 text-primary hover:text-primary/80 transition-colors"
-                  >
-                    {getI18nOrFallback(t, "builderBrowseCatalog", "Legacy model browser")}
-                  </button>
+                  {!isExpertMode && (
+                    <button
+                      type="button"
+                      onClick={() => setShowModelSelect(true)}
+                      className="text-[10px] shrink-0 text-primary hover:text-primary/80 transition-colors"
+                    >
+                      {getI18nOrFallback(t, "builderBrowseCatalog", "Legacy model browser")}
+                    </button>
+                  )}
                 </div>
 
+                {isExpertMode && (
+                  <div className="mt-3 rounded-md border border-black/8 dark:border-white/8 bg-white/70 dark:bg-white/[0.03] px-2.5 py-2">
+                    <label className="text-[10px] font-medium uppercase tracking-wide text-text-muted block mb-1">
+                      {getI18nOrFallback(t, "manualModel", "Manual model")}
+                    </label>
+                    <div className="flex flex-col sm:flex-row gap-2">
+                      <input
+                        type="text"
+                        value={manualModelInput}
+                        onChange={(e) => {
+                          setManualModelInput(e.target.value);
+                          setManualModelError("");
+                        }}
+                        onKeyDown={(e) => {
+                          if (e.key === "Enter") {
+                            e.preventDefault();
+                            handleAddManualModel();
+                          }
+                        }}
+                        placeholder="provider/model"
+                        data-testid="combo-manual-model-input"
+                        className="flex-1 text-xs py-2 px-2 rounded border border-black/10 dark:border-white/10 bg-white dark:bg-bg-main text-text-main focus:border-primary focus:outline-none font-mono"
+                      />
+                      <Button
+                        onClick={handleAddManualModel}
+                        size="sm"
+                        disabled={!manualModelInput.trim() || !!manualModelHasDuplicate}
+                        data-testid="combo-manual-model-add"
+                      >
+                        {getI18nOrFallback(t, "addModel", "Add model")}
+                      </Button>
+                    </div>
+                    {(manualModelError || manualModelHasDuplicate) && (
+                      <div className="mt-2 rounded-md border border-amber-500/20 bg-amber-500/10 px-2 py-1.5 text-[10px] text-amber-700 dark:text-amber-300">
+                        {manualModelError ||
+                          getI18nOrFallback(
+                            t,
+                            "builderDuplicateExact",
+                            "This exact provider/model/account step is already in the combo."
+                          )}
+                      </div>
+                    )}
+                  </div>
+                )}
+
                 <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-3 gap-2 mt-3">
                   <div>
                     <label className="text-[10px] font-medium uppercase tracking-wide text-text-muted block mb-1">
@@ -2864,20 +3010,8 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                   </div>
                 </div>
 
-                <div className="mt-2 rounded-md border border-black/8 dark:border-white/8 bg-white/70 dark:bg-white/[0.03] px-2.5 py-2">
-                  <p className="text-[10px] uppercase tracking-wide text-text-muted">
-                    {getI18nOrFallback(t, "builderPreview", "Current step preview")}
-                  </p>
-                  <p className="text-xs text-text-main mt-1">
-                    {builderCandidateStep
-                      ? formatModelDisplay(builderCandidateStep)
-                      : getI18nOrFallback(
-                          t,
-                          "previewNextStep",
-                          "Choose provider and model to preview the next step."
-                        )}
-                  </p>
-                  <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-1.5 mt-2">
+                {isExpertMode ? (
+                  <div className="mt-2 flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2">
                     <Button
                       onClick={handleAddBuilderStep}
                       size="sm"
@@ -2896,7 +3030,41 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                       </span>
                     )}
                   </div>
-                </div>
+                ) : (
+                  <div className="mt-2 rounded-md border border-black/8 dark:border-white/8 bg-white/70 dark:bg-white/[0.03] px-2.5 py-2">
+                    <p className="text-[10px] uppercase tracking-wide text-text-muted">
+                      {getI18nOrFallback(t, "builderPreview", "Current step preview")}
+                    </p>
+                    <p className="text-xs text-text-main mt-1">
+                      {builderCandidateStep
+                        ? formatModelDisplay(builderCandidateStep)
+                        : getI18nOrFallback(
+                            t,
+                            "previewNextStep",
+                            "Choose provider and model to preview the next step."
+                          )}
+                    </p>
+                    <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-1.5 mt-2">
+                      <Button
+                        onClick={handleAddBuilderStep}
+                        size="sm"
+                        disabled={!builderCandidateStep || !!builderHasDuplicate}
+                        data-testid="combo-builder-add-step"
+                      >
+                        {getI18nOrFallback(t, "builderAddStep", "Add detailed step")}
+                      </Button>
+                      {builderHasDuplicate && (
+                        <span className="text-[10px] text-amber-600 dark:text-amber-300">
+                          {getI18nOrFallback(
+                            t,
+                            "builderDuplicateExact",
+                            "This exact provider/model/account step is already in the combo."
+                          )}
+                        </span>
+                      )}
+                    </div>
+                  </div>
+                )}
 
                 <div className="mt-3 pt-3 border-t border-black/5 dark:border-white/5">
                   <label className="text-[10px] font-medium uppercase tracking-wide text-text-muted block mb-1">
@@ -3091,13 +3259,15 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                       style={{ width: `${pricingCoveragePercent}%` }}
                     />
                   </div>
-                  <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-1">
-                    {getI18nOrFallback(
-                      t,
-                      "pricingCoverageHint",
-                      "Cost-optimized works best when all combo models have pricing."
-                    )}
-                  </p>
+                  {!isExpertMode && (
+                    <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-1">
+                      {getI18nOrFallback(
+                        t,
+                        "pricingCoverageHint",
+                        "Cost-optimized works best when all combo models have pricing."
+                      )}
+                    </p>
+                  )}
                 </div>
               )}
 
@@ -3117,7 +3287,7 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                 </div>
               )}
 
-              {hasRoundRobinSingleModel && (
+              {!isExpertMode && hasRoundRobinSingleModel && (
                 <div className="mt-2 rounded-md border border-blue-500/20 bg-blue-500/10 px-2 py-1.5 text-[10px] text-blue-700 dark:text-blue-300 flex items-center gap-1">
                   <span className="material-symbols-outlined text-[12px]">info</span>
                   <span>
@@ -3157,13 +3327,20 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                 </div>
               )}
 
-              <div className="mt-2">
-                <ComboReadinessPanel checks={readinessChecks} blockers={saveBlockers} />
-              </div>
+              {showInlineReadinessPanel && (
+                <div className="mt-2">
+                  <ComboReadinessPanel
+                    checks={readinessChecks}
+                    blockers={saveBlockers}
+                    showDescription={!isExpertMode}
+                  />
+                </div>
+              )}
 
               <button
                 onClick={() => setShowModelSelect(true)}
                 className="w-full mt-2 py-2 border border-dashed border-black/10 dark:border-white/10 rounded-lg text-xs text-text-muted hover:text-primary hover:border-primary/30 transition-colors flex items-center justify-center gap-1"
+                data-testid="combo-browse-catalog"
               >
                 <span className="material-symbols-outlined text-[16px]">travel_explore</span>
                 {getI18nOrFallback(t, "browseLegacyCatalog", "Browse legacy model catalog")}
@@ -3172,19 +3349,21 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
           )}
 
           {/* Advanced Config Toggle */}
-          {builderStage === "strategy" && (
+          {showStrategySection && (
             <>
-              <button
-                onClick={() => setShowAdvanced(!showAdvanced)}
-                className="flex items-center gap-1 text-xs text-text-muted hover:text-text-main transition-colors self-start"
-              >
-                <span className="material-symbols-outlined text-[14px]">
-                  {showAdvanced ? "expand_less" : "expand_more"}
-                </span>
-                {t("advancedSettings")}
-              </button>
+              {!isExpertMode && (
+                <button
+                  onClick={() => setShowAdvanced(!showAdvanced)}
+                  className="flex items-center gap-1 text-xs text-text-muted hover:text-text-main transition-colors self-start"
+                >
+                  <span className="material-symbols-outlined text-[14px]">
+                    {showAdvanced ? "expand_less" : "expand_more"}
+                  </span>
+                  {t("advancedSettings")}
+                </button>
+              )}
 
-              {showAdvanced && (
+              {advancedConfigVisible && (
                 <div className="flex flex-col gap-2 p-3 bg-black/[0.02] dark:bg-white/[0.02] rounded-lg border border-black/5 dark:border-white/5">
                   <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-2">
                     <div>
@@ -3195,6 +3374,7 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                           "advancedHelp.maxRetries",
                           ADVANCED_FIELD_HELP_FALLBACK.maxRetries
                         )}
+                        showHelp={!isExpertMode}
                       />
                       <input
                         type="number"
@@ -3219,6 +3399,7 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                           "advancedHelp.retryDelay",
                           ADVANCED_FIELD_HELP_FALLBACK.retryDelay
                         )}
+                        showHelp={!isExpertMode}
                       />
                       <input
                         type="number"
@@ -3247,6 +3428,7 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                             "advancedHelp.concurrencyPerModel",
                             ADVANCED_FIELD_HELP_FALLBACK.concurrencyPerModel
                           )}
+                          showHelp={!isExpertMode}
                         />
                         <input
                           type="number"
@@ -3273,6 +3455,7 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                             "advancedHelp.queueTimeout",
                             ADVANCED_FIELD_HELP_FALLBACK.queueTimeout
                           )}
+                          showHelp={!isExpertMode}
                         />
                         <input
                           type="number"
@@ -3306,6 +3489,7 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                             "contextRelayHandoffThresholdHelp",
                             "When quota usage reaches this threshold, OmniRoute generates a structured handoff summary before the account is exhausted."
                           )}
+                          showHelp={!isExpertMode}
                         />
                         <input
                           type="number"
@@ -3335,6 +3519,7 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                             "contextRelayMaxMessagesHelp",
                             "Limits how much recent history is condensed into the relay summary."
                           )}
+                          showHelp={!isExpertMode}
                         />
                         <input
                           type="number"
@@ -3361,6 +3546,7 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                             "contextRelaySummaryModelHelp",
                             "Optional override model used only for generating the handoff summary. Leave empty to reuse the active combo model."
                           )}
+                          showHelp={!isExpertMode}
                         />
                         <input
                           type="text"
@@ -3375,55 +3561,83 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                           className="w-full text-xs py-1.5 px-2 rounded border border-black/10 dark:border-white/10 bg-transparent focus:border-primary focus:outline-none"
                         />
                       </div>
-                      <div className="md:col-span-3 rounded-md border border-fuchsia-500/20 bg-fuchsia-500/5 px-2 py-1.5">
-                        <p className="text-[10px] text-fuchsia-700 dark:text-fuchsia-300">
-                          {getI18nOrFallback(
-                            t,
-                            "contextRelayProviderNote",
-                            "Context Relay currently generates handoffs for Codex account rotation. Pair it with multiple accounts of the same provider for the best continuity."
-                          )}
-                        </p>
-                      </div>
+                      {!isExpertMode && (
+                        <div className="md:col-span-3 rounded-md border border-fuchsia-500/20 bg-fuchsia-500/5 px-2 py-1.5">
+                          <p className="text-[10px] text-fuchsia-700 dark:text-fuchsia-300">
+                            {getI18nOrFallback(
+                              t,
+                              "contextRelayProviderNote",
+                              "Context Relay currently generates handoffs for Codex account rotation. Pair it with multiple accounts of the same provider for the best continuity."
+                            )}
+                          </p>
+                        </div>
+                      )}
                     </div>
                   )}
-                  <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted">{t("advancedHint")}</p>
+                  {!isExpertMode && (
+                    <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted">{t("advancedHint")}</p>
+                  )}
                 </div>
               )}
             </>
           )}
 
           {/* Agent Features (#399 / #401 / #454) */}
-          {builderStage === "strategy" && (
+          {showStrategySection && (
             <div className="flex flex-col gap-2 p-3 bg-black/[0.02] dark:bg-white/[0.02] rounded-lg border border-black/5 dark:border-white/5">
               <div className="flex items-center gap-1.5 mb-1">
                 <span className="material-symbols-outlined text-[14px] text-primary">
                   smart_toy
                 </span>
-                <p className="text-xs font-medium">{t("agentFeaturesTitle")}</p>
-                <span className="text-[10px] text-text-muted">{t("agentFeaturesDescription")}</span>
+                <p className="text-xs font-medium">
+                  {getI18nOrFallback(t, "agentFeaturesTitle", "Agent features")}
+                </p>
+                {!isExpertMode && (
+                  <span className="text-[10px] text-text-muted">
+                    {getI18nOrFallback(
+                      t,
+                      "agentFeaturesDescription",
+                      "Tune agent prompts and tool access for this combo."
+                    )}
+                  </span>
+                )}
               </div>
 
               {/* System Message Override */}
               <div>
                 <label className="text-[11px] font-medium text-text-muted block mb-0.5">
-                  {t("agentFeaturesSystemMessageOverride")}
+                  {getI18nOrFallback(
+                    t,
+                    "agentFeaturesSystemMessageOverride",
+                    "System message override"
+                  )}
                 </label>
                 <textarea
                   rows={2}
                   value={agentSystemMessage}
                   onChange={(e) => setAgentSystemMessage(e.target.value)}
-                  placeholder={t("agentFeaturesSystemMessagePlaceholder")}
+                  placeholder={getI18nOrFallback(
+                    t,
+                    "agentFeaturesSystemMessagePlaceholder",
+                    "Optional system instructions for this combo"
+                  )}
                   className="w-full text-xs py-1.5 px-2 rounded border border-black/10 dark:border-white/10 bg-transparent focus:border-primary focus:outline-none resize-none"
                 />
-                <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-0.5">
-                  {t("agentFeaturesSystemMessageHint")}
-                </p>
+                {!isExpertMode && (
+                  <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-0.5">
+                    {getI18nOrFallback(
+                      t,
+                      "agentFeaturesSystemMessageHint",
+                      "Applied only when this combo is used as an agent."
+                    )}
+                  </p>
+                )}
               </div>
 
               {/* Tool Filter Regex */}
               <div>
                 <label className="text-[11px] font-medium text-text-muted block mb-0.5">
-                  {t("agentFeaturesToolFilterRegex")}
+                  {getI18nOrFallback(t, "agentFeaturesToolFilterRegex", "Tool filter regex")}
                 </label>
                 <input
                   type="text"
@@ -3432,20 +3646,36 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
                   placeholder="e.g. ^(bash|computer)$"
                   className="w-full text-xs py-1.5 px-2 rounded border border-black/10 dark:border-white/10 bg-transparent focus:border-primary focus:outline-none font-mono"
                 />
-                <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-0.5">
-                  {t("agentFeaturesToolFilterHint")}
-                </p>
+                {!isExpertMode && (
+                  <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted mt-0.5">
+                    {getI18nOrFallback(
+                      t,
+                      "agentFeaturesToolFilterHint",
+                      "Limit agent tools by name with a regular expression."
+                    )}
+                  </p>
+                )}
               </div>
 
               {/* Context Cache Protection */}
               <div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-2">
                 <div>
                   <label className="text-[11px] font-medium text-text-muted block">
-                    {t("agentFeaturesContextCacheProtection")}
+                    {getI18nOrFallback(
+                      t,
+                      "agentFeaturesContextCacheProtection",
+                      "Context cache protection"
+                    )}
                   </label>
-                  <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted">
-                    {t("agentFeaturesContextCacheHint")}
-                  </p>
+                  {!isExpertMode && (
+                    <p className="text-[10px] text-text-muted">
+                      {getI18nOrFallback(
+                        t,
+                        "agentFeaturesContextCacheHint",
+                        "Keep cached context isolated when provider state changes."
+                      )}
+                    </p>
+                  )}
                 </div>
                 <input
                   type="checkbox"
@@ -3457,7 +3687,7 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
             </div>
           )}
 
-          {builderStage === "review" && (
+          {showReviewSection && (
             <div className="flex flex-col gap-3">
               <div className="grid grid-cols-2 md:grid-cols-4 gap-2">
                 <div className="rounded-lg border border-black/8 dark:border-white/8 bg-black/[0.02] dark:bg-white/[0.02] p-3">
@@ -3642,34 +3872,45 @@ function ComboFormModal({ isOpen, combo, onClose, onSave, activeProviders }) {
           )}
 
           {/* Actions */}
-          <div className="flex gap-2 pt-1">
-            <Button
-              onClick={builderStage === "basics" ? onClose : handleGoToPreviousStage}
-              variant="ghost"
-              fullWidth
-              size="sm"
-              data-testid="combo-builder-back"
-            >
-              {builderStage === "basics" ? tc("cancel") : getI18nOrFallback(tc, "back", "Back")}
-            </Button>
-            {builderStage === "review" ? (
+          {isExpertMode ? (
+            <div className="flex gap-2 pt-1">
+              <Button onClick={onClose} variant="ghost" fullWidth size="sm">
+                {tc("cancel")}
+              </Button>
               <Button onClick={handleSave} fullWidth size="sm" disabled={saveBlocked}>
                 {saving ? t("saving") : isEdit ? tc("save") : t("createCombo")}
               </Button>
-            ) : (
+            </div>
+          ) : (
+            <div className="flex gap-2 pt-1">
               <Button
-                onClick={handleGoToNextStage}
+                onClick={builderStage === "basics" ? onClose : handleGoToPreviousStage}
+                variant="ghost"
                 fullWidth
                 size="sm"
-                disabled={!canAdvanceFromCurrentStage}
-                data-testid="combo-builder-next"
+                data-testid="combo-builder-back"
               >
-                {getI18nOrFallback(tc, "next", "Next")}
+                {builderStage === "basics" ? tc("cancel") : getI18nOrFallback(tc, "back", "Back")}
               </Button>
-            )}
-          </div>
+              {builderStage === "review" ? (
+                <Button onClick={handleSave} fullWidth size="sm" disabled={saveBlocked}>
+                  {saving ? t("saving") : isEdit ? tc("save") : t("createCombo")}
+                </Button>
+              ) : (
+                <Button
+                  onClick={handleGoToNextStage}
+                  fullWidth
+                  size="sm"
+                  disabled={!canAdvanceFromCurrentStage}
+                  data-testid="combo-builder-next"
+                >
+                  {getI18nOrFallback(tc, "next", "Next")}
+                </Button>
+              )}
+            </div>
+          )}
 
-          {builderStage !== "review" && !canAdvanceFromCurrentStage && (
+          {(isExpertMode || builderStage !== "review") && !canAdvanceFromCurrentStage && (
             <div className="rounded-md border border-amber-500/20 bg-amber-500/10 px-2 py-1.5 text-[10px] text-amber-700 dark:text-amber-300">
               {builderStage === "basics"
                 ? getI18nOrFallback(
diff --git a/src/app/(dashboard)/dashboard/settings/components/AppearanceTab.tsx b/src/app/(dashboard)/dashboard/settings/components/AppearanceTab.tsx
index 89ef8242fd..aeef9e2255 100644
--- a/src/app/(dashboard)/dashboard/settings/components/AppearanceTab.tsx
+++ b/src/app/(dashboard)/dashboard/settings/components/AppearanceTab.tsx
@@ -6,6 +6,11 @@ import { useTheme } from "@/shared/hooks/useTheme";
 import useThemeStore, { COLOR_THEMES } from "@/store/themeStore";
 import { cn } from "@/shared/utils/cn";
 import { useTranslations } from "next-intl";
+import {
+  COMBO_CONFIG_MODE_SETTING_KEY,
+  normalizeComboConfigMode,
+  type ComboConfigMode,
+} from "@/shared/constants/comboConfigMode";
 import {
   HIDDEN_SIDEBAR_ITEMS_SETTING_KEY,
   SIDEBAR_SECTIONS,
@@ -30,6 +35,7 @@ export default function AppearanceTab() {
     settings[HIDDEN_SIDEBAR_ITEMS_SETTING_KEY]
   );
   const hiddenSidebarSet = new Set(hiddenSidebarItems);
+  const comboConfigMode = normalizeComboConfigMode(settings[COMBO_CONFIG_MODE_SETTING_KEY]);
 
   const getSettingsLabel = (key: string, fallback: string) =>
     typeof t.has === "function" && t.has(key) ? t(key) : fallback;
@@ -107,6 +113,32 @@ export default function AppearanceTab() {
     { id: "cyan", color: COLOR_THEMES.cyan, label: t("themeCyan") },
   ];
 
+  const comboConfigModeOptions: Array<{
+    id: ComboConfigMode;
+    icon: string;
+    title: string;
+    description: string;
+  }> = [
+    {
+      id: "guided",
+      icon: "route",
+      title: getSettingsLabel("comboConfigModeGuided", "Guided"),
+      description: getSettingsLabel(
+        "comboConfigModeGuidedDesc",
+        "Use the current step-by-step combo builder."
+      ),
+    },
+    {
+      id: "expert",
+      icon: "tune",
+      title: getSettingsLabel("comboConfigModeExpert", "Expert"),
+      description: getSettingsLabel(
+        "comboConfigModeExpertDesc",
+        "Show every combo option on one page and enable direct model entry."
+      ),
+    },
+  ];
+
   const showDebug = settings.debugMode === true;
   const sidebarSections = SIDEBAR_SECTIONS.filter(
     (section) => section.visibility !== "debug" || showDebug
@@ -223,6 +255,61 @@ export default function AppearanceTab() {
           </div>
         </div>
 
+        <div className="pt-4 border-t border-border">
+          <div className="mb-3">
+            <p className="font-medium">
+              {getSettingsLabel("comboConfigMode", "Combo configuration mode")}
+            </p>
+            <p className="text-sm text-text-muted">
+              {getSettingsLabel(
+                "comboConfigModeDesc",
+                "Choose how the combo create and edit dialog is organized."
+              )}
+            </p>
+          </div>
+
+          <div
+            role="radiogroup"
+            aria-label={getSettingsLabel("comboConfigMode", "Combo configuration mode")}
+            className="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 gap-2"
+          >
+            {comboConfigModeOptions.map((option) => {
+              const active = comboConfigMode === option.id;
+              return (
+                <button
+                  key={option.id}
+                  type="button"
+                  role="radio"
+                  aria-checked={active}
+                  disabled={loading}
+                  onClick={() => updateSetting(COMBO_CONFIG_MODE_SETTING_KEY, option.id)}
+                  className={cn(
+                    "flex items-start gap-3 rounded-lg border p-3 text-left transition-colors disabled:opacity-60",
+                    active
+                      ? "border-primary bg-primary/10 text-primary"
+                      : "border-border bg-surface/40 text-text-main hover:border-primary/40"
+                  )}
+                >
+                  <span className="material-symbols-outlined mt-0.5 text-[20px]" aria-hidden="true">
+                    {option.icon}
+                  </span>
+                  <span className="min-w-0">
+                    <span className="block text-sm font-semibold">{option.title}</span>
+                    <span
+                      className={cn(
+                        "mt-0.5 block text-xs",
+                        active ? "text-primary/80" : "text-text-muted"
+                      )}
+                    >
+                      {option.description}
+                    </span>
+                  </span>
+                </button>
+              );
+            })}
+          </div>
+        </div>
+
         <div className="pt-4 border-t border-border">
           <div className="mb-3">
             <p className="font-medium">{t("sidebarVisibilityToggle")}</p>
diff --git a/src/app/api/settings/__tests__/settings.test.ts b/src/app/api/settings/__tests__/settings.test.ts
index c8d06b2fa7..6f0acf2cfe 100644
--- a/src/app/api/settings/__tests__/settings.test.ts
+++ b/src/app/api/settings/__tests__/settings.test.ts
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ describe("PATCH /api/settings", () => {
     (getSettings as any).mockResolvedValue({
       debugMode: false,
       hiddenSidebarItems: [],
+      comboConfigMode: "guided",
     });
     // Mock updateSettings to merge updates into the original
     (updateSettings as any).mockImplementation(async (updates: Record<string, unknown>) => {
@@ -61,4 +62,15 @@ describe("PATCH /api/settings", () => {
     const calledWith = (updateSettings as any).mock.calls[0][0];
     expect(calledWith.hiddenSidebarItems).toEqual([]);
   });
+
+  it("updates comboConfigMode via PATCH", async () => {
+    const req = createPatchRequest({ comboConfigMode: "expert" });
+    const res = await PATCH(req as any);
+    expect(res.status).toBe(200);
+    const json = await res.json();
+    expect(json.comboConfigMode).toBe("expert");
+    expect(updateSettings).toHaveBeenCalledOnce();
+    const calledWith = (updateSettings as any).mock.calls[0][0];
+    expect(calledWith.comboConfigMode).toBe("expert");
+  });
 });
diff --git a/src/lib/combos/builderDraft.ts b/src/lib/combos/builderDraft.ts
index c5ac13c407..fe51b616a1 100644
--- a/src/lib/combos/builderDraft.ts
+++ b/src/lib/combos/builderDraft.ts
@@ -84,6 +84,55 @@ export function buildPrecisionComboModelStep({
   };
 }
 
+type ComboBuilderProviderIdentity = {
+  providerId?: unknown;
+  alias?: unknown;
+  prefix?: unknown;
+};
+
+export function resolveComboBuilderProviderId(
+  providerIdOrAlias: unknown,
+  providers: ComboBuilderProviderIdentity[] = []
+): string | null {
+  const normalizedProviderId = toTrimmedString(providerIdOrAlias);
+  if (!normalizedProviderId) return null;
+
+  const matchedProvider = providers.find((provider) => {
+    const providerId = toTrimmedString(provider.providerId);
+    const alias = toTrimmedString(provider.alias);
+    const prefix = toTrimmedString(provider.prefix);
+    return (
+      providerId === normalizedProviderId ||
+      alias === normalizedProviderId ||
+      prefix === normalizedProviderId
+    );
+  });
+
+  return toTrimmedString(matchedProvider?.providerId) || null;
+}
+
+export function buildManualComboModelStep({
+  value,
+  providers = [],
+  weight = 0,
+}: {
+  value: unknown;
+  providers?: ComboBuilderProviderIdentity[];
+  weight?: number;
+}): ComboModelStep | null {
+  const parsed = parseQualifiedModel(value);
+  if (!parsed) return null;
+
+  const providerId = resolveComboBuilderProviderId(parsed.providerId, providers);
+  if (!providerId) return null;
+
+  return buildPrecisionComboModelStep({
+    providerId,
+    modelId: parsed.modelId,
+    weight,
+  });
+}
+
 export function getExactModelStepSignature(entry: unknown): string | null {
   if (!isRecord(entry) || entry.kind === "combo-ref") return null;
   const modelValue = toTrimmedString(entry.model);
diff --git a/src/lib/dataPaths.js b/src/lib/dataPaths.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 5078bbe9e6..0000000000
--- a/src/lib/dataPaths.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,66 +0,0 @@
-"use strict";
-var __importDefault =
-  (this && this.__importDefault) ||
-  function (mod) {
-    return mod && mod.__esModule ? mod : { default: mod };
-  };
-Object.defineProperty(exports, "__esModule", { value: true });
-exports.APP_NAME = void 0;
-exports.getLegacyDotDataDir = getLegacyDotDataDir;
-exports.getDefaultDataDir = getDefaultDataDir;
-exports.resolveDataDir = resolveDataDir;
-exports.isSamePath = isSamePath;
-const path_1 = __importDefault(require("path"));
-const os_1 = __importDefault(require("os"));
-exports.APP_NAME = "omniroute";
-function fallbackHomeDir() {
-  const envHome = process.env.HOME || process.env.USERPROFILE;
-  if (typeof envHome === "string" && envHome.trim().length > 0) {
-    return path_1.default.resolve(envHome);
-  }
-  return os_1.default.tmpdir();
-}
-function safeHomeDir() {
-  try {
-    return os_1.default.homedir();
-  } catch {
-    return fallbackHomeDir();
-  }
-}
-function normalizeConfiguredPath(dir) {
-  if (typeof dir !== "string") return null;
-  const trimmed = dir.trim();
-  if (!trimmed) return null;
-  return path_1.default.resolve(trimmed);
-}
-function getLegacyDotDataDir() {
-  return path_1.default.join(safeHomeDir(), `.${exports.APP_NAME}`);
-}
-function getDefaultDataDir() {
-  const homeDir = safeHomeDir();
-  if (process.platform === "win32") {
-    const appData = process.env.APPDATA || path_1.default.join(homeDir, "AppData", "Roaming");
-    return path_1.default.join(appData, exports.APP_NAME);
-  }
-  // Support XDG on Linux/macOS when explicitly configured.
-  const xdgConfigHome = normalizeConfiguredPath(process.env.XDG_CONFIG_HOME);
-  if (xdgConfigHome) {
-    return path_1.default.join(xdgConfigHome, exports.APP_NAME);
-  }
-  return getLegacyDotDataDir();
-}
-function resolveDataDir({ isCloud = false } = {}) {
-  if (isCloud) return "/tmp";
-  const configured = normalizeConfiguredPath(process.env.DATA_DIR);
-  if (configured) return configured;
-  return getDefaultDataDir();
-}
-function isSamePath(a, b) {
-  if (!a || !b) return false;
-  const normalizedA = path_1.default.resolve(a);
-  const normalizedB = path_1.default.resolve(b);
-  if (process.platform === "win32") {
-    return normalizedA.toLowerCase() === normalizedB.toLowerCase();
-  }
-  return normalizedA === normalizedB;
-}
diff --git a/src/lib/db/settings.ts b/src/lib/db/settings.ts
index 132189da36..69286d7993 100644
--- a/src/lib/db/settings.ts
+++ b/src/lib/db/settings.ts
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ export async function getSettings() {
     antigravitySignatureCacheMode: "enabled",
     requireLogin: true,
     hiddenSidebarItems: [],
+    comboConfigMode: "guided",
     alwaysPreserveClientCache: "auto",
     idempotencyWindowMs: 5000,
     wsAuth: false,
diff --git a/src/shared/constants/comboConfigMode.ts b/src/shared/constants/comboConfigMode.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..76efda2bba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/shared/constants/comboConfigMode.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+export const COMBO_CONFIG_MODE_SETTING_KEY = "comboConfigMode";
+
+export const COMBO_CONFIG_MODES = ["guided", "expert"] as const;
+
+export type ComboConfigMode = (typeof COMBO_CONFIG_MODES)[number];
+
+export function normalizeComboConfigMode(value: unknown): ComboConfigMode {
+  return value === "expert" ? "expert" : "guided";
+}
diff --git a/src/shared/validation/schemas.ts b/src/shared/validation/schemas.ts
index 6737a33906..0adc1f3398 100644
--- a/src/shared/validation/schemas.ts
+++ b/src/shared/validation/schemas.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { z } from "zod";
 import { SUPPORTED_BATCH_ENDPOINTS } from "@/shared/constants/batchEndpoints";
+import { COMBO_CONFIG_MODES } from "@/shared/constants/comboConfigMode";
 import { isLocalProvider } from "@/shared/constants/providers";
 import { HIDEABLE_SIDEBAR_ITEM_IDS } from "@/shared/constants/sidebarVisibility";
 import { isForbiddenUpstreamHeaderName } from "@/shared/constants/upstreamHeaders";
@@ -434,6 +435,7 @@ export const updateSettingsSchema = z.object({
   blockedProviders: z.array(z.string().max(100)).optional(),
   hideHealthCheckLogs: z.boolean().optional(),
   hiddenSidebarItems: z.array(z.enum(HIDEABLE_SIDEBAR_ITEM_IDS)).optional(),
+  comboConfigMode: z.enum(COMBO_CONFIG_MODES).optional(),
   // Routing settings (#134)
   fallbackStrategy: settingsFallbackStrategySchema.optional(),
   wildcardAliases: z.array(z.object({ pattern: z.string(), target: z.string() })).optional(),
diff --git a/src/shared/validation/settingsSchemas.ts b/src/shared/validation/settingsSchemas.ts
index 2222432771..480c08392d 100644
--- a/src/shared/validation/settingsSchemas.ts
+++ b/src/shared/validation/settingsSchemas.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
  * at runtime (see: https://github.com/vercel/next.js/issues/12557).
  */
 import { z } from "zod";
+import { COMBO_CONFIG_MODES } from "@/shared/constants/comboConfigMode";
 import { HIDEABLE_SIDEBAR_ITEM_IDS } from "@/shared/constants/sidebarVisibility";
 
 const fallbackStrategyValues = [
@@ -47,6 +48,7 @@ export const updateSettingsSchema = z.object({
   hideHealthCheckLogs: z.boolean().optional(),
   debugMode: z.boolean().optional(),
   hiddenSidebarItems: z.array(z.enum(HIDEABLE_SIDEBAR_ITEM_IDS)).optional(),
+  comboConfigMode: z.enum(COMBO_CONFIG_MODES).optional(),
   // Routing settings (#134)
   fallbackStrategy: z.enum(fallbackStrategyValues).optional(),
   wildcardAliases: z.array(z.object({ pattern: z.string(), target: z.string() })).optional(),
diff --git a/src/sse/handlers/chat.ts b/src/sse/handlers/chat.ts
index 955ba39527..083a8a1267 100644
--- a/src/sse/handlers/chat.ts
+++ b/src/sse/handlers/chat.ts
@@ -534,7 +534,8 @@ async function handleSingleModelChat(
   const baseRetrySettings = resolveCooldownAwareRetrySettings(
     await getCachedSettings().catch(() => ({}))
   );
-  const disableCooldownAwareRetry = isCombo || runtimeOptions.emergencyFallbackTried === true;
+  const disableCooldownAwareRetry =
+    isCombo || forceLiveComboTest || runtimeOptions.emergencyFallbackTried === true;
   const retrySettings = disableCooldownAwareRetry
     ? {
         ...baseRetrySettings,
diff --git a/tests/e2e/combos-flow.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/combos-flow.spec.ts
index e44315829f..986ed9e6e7 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/combos-flow.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/e2e/combos-flow.spec.ts
@@ -64,6 +64,14 @@ test.describe("Combos flow", () => {
       });
     });
 
+    await page.route(/\/api\/settings$/, async (route) => {
+      await route.fulfill({
+        status: 200,
+        contentType: "application/json",
+        body: JSON.stringify({ comboConfigMode: "guided" }),
+      });
+    });
+
     await page.route("**/api/settings/proxy", async (route) => {
       await route.fulfill({
         status: 200,
@@ -263,6 +271,213 @@ test.describe("Combos flow", () => {
     await expect(testResultsModal).toContainText(/qa-test-model/i);
   });
 
+  test("expert mode shows a single-page combo form with manual model entry", async ({ page }) => {
+    const state: {
+      combos: ComboStub[];
+      nextId: number;
+      lastPayload: ComboCreatePayload | null;
+    } = {
+      combos: [],
+      nextId: 1,
+      lastPayload: null,
+    };
+
+    await page.route("**/api/combos/metrics", async (route) => {
+      await route.fulfill({
+        status: 200,
+        contentType: "application/json",
+        body: JSON.stringify({ metrics: {} }),
+      });
+    });
+
+    await page.route(/\/api\/settings$/, async (route) => {
+      await route.fulfill({
+        status: 200,
+        contentType: "application/json",
+        body: JSON.stringify({ comboConfigMode: "expert" }),
+      });
+    });
+
+    await page.route("**/api/settings/proxy", async (route) => {
+      await route.fulfill({
+        status: 200,
+        contentType: "application/json",
+        body: JSON.stringify({ combos: {} }),
+      });
+    });
+
+    await page.route("**/api/providers", async (route) => {
+      await route.fulfill({
+        status: 200,
+        contentType: "application/json",
+        body: JSON.stringify({
+          connections: [
+            { id: "conn-codex", provider: "codex", testStatus: "active" },
+            { id: "conn-openrouter", provider: "openrouter", testStatus: "active" },
+          ],
+        }),
+      });
+    });
+
+    await page.route("**/api/provider-nodes", async (route) => {
+      await route.fulfill({
+        status: 200,
+        contentType: "application/json",
+        body: JSON.stringify({ nodes: [] }),
+      });
+    });
+
+    await page.route("**/api/models/alias", async (route) => {
+      await route.fulfill({
+        status: 200,
+        contentType: "application/json",
+        body: JSON.stringify({ aliases: {} }),
+      });
+    });
+
+    await page.route("**/api/pricing", async (route) => {
+      await route.fulfill({
+        status: 200,
+        contentType: "application/json",
+        body: JSON.stringify({}),
+      });
+    });
+
+    await page.route("**/api/combos/builder/options", async (route) => {
+      await route.fulfill({
+        status: 200,
+        contentType: "application/json",
+        body: JSON.stringify({
+          providers: [
+            {
+              providerId: "codex",
+              alias: "cx",
+              displayName: "Codex",
+              connectionCount: 1,
+              models: [],
+              connections: [
+                {
+                  id: "conn-codex",
+                  label: "Codex Primary",
+                  status: "active",
+                  priority: 1,
+                },
+              ],
+            },
+            {
+              providerId: "openrouter",
+              alias: "openrouter",
+              displayName: "OpenRouter",
+              connectionCount: 1,
+              models: [],
+              connections: [
+                {
+                  id: "conn-openrouter",
+                  label: "OpenRouter Primary",
+                  status: "active",
+                  priority: 1,
+                },
+              ],
+            },
+          ],
+          comboRefs: [],
+        }),
+      });
+    });
+
+    await page.route("**/api/combos", async (route) => {
+      const method = route.request().method();
+      if (method === "GET") {
+        await route.fulfill({
+          status: 200,
+          contentType: "application/json",
+          body: JSON.stringify({ combos: state.combos }),
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      if (method === "POST") {
+        const payloadRaw = route.request().postDataJSON();
+        const payload =
+          payloadRaw && typeof payloadRaw === "object" ? (payloadRaw as ComboCreatePayload) : {};
+        state.lastPayload = payload;
+        const comboId = `combo-${state.nextId++}`;
+        const createdCombo = {
+          id: comboId,
+          name: payload.name || comboId,
+          strategy: payload.strategy || "priority",
+          models: payload.models || [],
+          config: payload.config || {},
+          isActive: true,
+        };
+        state.combos.push(createdCombo);
+
+        await route.fulfill({
+          status: 200,
+          contentType: "application/json",
+          body: JSON.stringify({ combo: createdCombo }),
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      await route.fulfill({ status: 405, body: "Method not allowed in test stub" });
+    });
+
+    await gotoDashboardRoute(page, "/dashboard/combos", {
+      waitUntil: "domcontentloaded",
+    });
+    await page
+      .getByRole("button", { name: /create combo|criar combo/i })
+      .first()
+      .click();
+
+    const comboDialog = page.getByRole("dialog").first();
+    await expect(comboDialog).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(comboDialog.locator('[data-testid="combo-builder-next"]')).toHaveCount(0);
+    await expect(comboDialog.locator('[data-testid="combo-builder-stage-steps"]')).toHaveCount(0);
+    await expect(comboDialog.locator('[data-testid="combo-readiness-panel"]')).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(comboDialog.locator('[data-testid="combo-browse-catalog"]')).toBeVisible();
+    await comboDialog.locator('[data-testid="combo-browse-catalog"]').click();
+    const modelCatalogDialog = page.getByRole("dialog", {
+      name: /add model to combo|adicionar modelo ao combo/i,
+    });
+    await expect(modelCatalogDialog).toBeVisible();
+    await modelCatalogDialog.getByRole("button", { name: /close/i }).click();
+    await expect(comboDialog.getByText(/recommended setup|how to use this strategy/i)).toHaveCount(
+      0
+    );
+
+    await comboDialog.locator('[data-testid="combo-name-input"]').fill("expert-stack");
+    await comboDialog.locator('[data-testid="combo-manual-model-input"]').fill("cx/gpt-5.5");
+    await comboDialog.locator('[data-testid="combo-manual-model-add"]').click();
+    await comboDialog
+      .locator('[data-testid="combo-manual-model-input"]')
+      .fill("openrouter/openai/gpt-5.5");
+    await comboDialog.locator('[data-testid="combo-manual-model-add"]').click();
+    await expect(comboDialog.locator('[data-testid="combo-readiness-panel"]')).toHaveCount(0);
+
+    await comboDialog
+      .getByRole("button", { name: /create combo|criar combo/i })
+      .last()
+      .click();
+    await expect(comboDialog).toBeHidden();
+
+    expect(state.lastPayload?.models).toEqual([
+      {
+        kind: "model",
+        providerId: "codex",
+        model: "codex/gpt-5.5",
+        weight: 0,
+      },
+      {
+        kind: "model",
+        providerId: "openrouter",
+        model: "openrouter/openai/gpt-5.5",
+        weight: 0,
+      },
+    ]);
+  });
+
   test("allows dragging combo cards to persist manual order", async ({ page }) => {
     const state: {
       combos: ComboStub[];
@@ -308,6 +523,14 @@ test.describe("Combos flow", () => {
       });
     });
 
+    await page.route(/\/api\/settings$/, async (route) => {
+      await route.fulfill({
+        status: 200,
+        contentType: "application/json",
+        body: JSON.stringify({ comboConfigMode: "guided" }),
+      });
+    });
+
     await page.route("**/api/settings/proxy", async (route) => {
       await route.fulfill({
         status: 200,
diff --git a/tests/unit/chat-combo-live-test.test.ts b/tests/unit/chat-combo-live-test.test.ts
index 12f416d7c4..6710c17cb2 100644
--- a/tests/unit/chat-combo-live-test.test.ts
+++ b/tests/unit/chat-combo-live-test.test.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ process.env.DATA_DIR = TEST_DATA_DIR;
 
 const core = await import("../../src/lib/db/core.ts");
 const providersDb = await import("../../src/lib/db/providers.ts");
+const settingsDb = await import("../../src/lib/db/settings.ts");
 const chatRoute = await import("../../src/app/api/v1/chat/completions/route.ts");
 const { generateSignature, invalidateBySignature, setCachedResponse } =
   await import("../../src/lib/semanticCache.ts");
@@ -197,3 +198,33 @@ test("combo live test bypasses semantic cache and forces a fresh upstream reques
     invalidateBySignature(signature);
   }
 });
+
+test("combo live test does not use cooldown-aware request retry on upstream failures", async () => {
+  await seedHealthyConnection();
+  await settingsDb.updateSettings({
+    requestRetry: 3,
+    maxRetryIntervalSec: 5,
+  });
+
+  let fetchCalls = 0;
+  globalThis.fetch = async () => {
+    fetchCalls += 1;
+    return Response.json(
+      {
+        error: {
+          message: "upstream unavailable",
+        },
+      },
+      { status: 503 }
+    );
+  };
+
+  const liveResponse = await chatRoute.POST(
+    makeRequest({ "X-Internal-Test": "combo-health-check" })
+  );
+  const liveBody = (await liveResponse.json()) as any;
+
+  assert.equal(liveResponse.status, 503);
+  assert.equal(fetchCalls, 1);
+  assert.match(liveBody.error.message, /upstream unavailable/i);
+});
diff --git a/tests/unit/combo-builder-draft.test.ts b/tests/unit/combo-builder-draft.test.ts
index 019f40f14e..8da7f18c0e 100644
--- a/tests/unit/combo-builder-draft.test.ts
+++ b/tests/unit/combo-builder-draft.test.ts
@@ -35,6 +35,47 @@ test("buildPrecisionComboModelStep preserves provider/model/account triple", ()
   );
 });
 
+test("buildManualComboModelStep resolves provider aliases and uses dynamic account", () => {
+  assert.deepEqual(
+    builderDraft.buildManualComboModelStep({
+      value: "cx/gpt-5.5",
+      providers: [{ providerId: "codex", alias: "cx" }],
+    }),
+    {
+      kind: "model",
+      providerId: "codex",
+      model: "codex/gpt-5.5",
+      weight: 0,
+    }
+  );
+
+  assert.deepEqual(
+    builderDraft.buildManualComboModelStep({
+      value: "openrouter/openai/gpt-5.5",
+      providers: [{ providerId: "openrouter", alias: "openrouter" }],
+    }),
+    {
+      kind: "model",
+      providerId: "openrouter",
+      model: "openrouter/openai/gpt-5.5",
+      weight: 0,
+    }
+  );
+
+  assert.equal(
+    builderDraft.resolveComboBuilderProviderId("foo", [{ providerId: "codex", alias: "cx" }]),
+    null
+  );
+  assert.equal(
+    builderDraft.buildManualComboModelStep({
+      value: "foo/bar",
+      providers: [{ providerId: "codex", alias: "cx" }],
+    }),
+    null
+  );
+  assert.equal(builderDraft.buildManualComboModelStep({ value: "gpt-5.5" }), null);
+});
+
 test("hasExactModelStepDuplicate blocks only exact provider/model/connection repeats", () => {
   const existing = [
     builderDraft.buildPrecisionComboModelStep({
diff --git a/tests/unit/db-settings-crud.test.ts b/tests/unit/db-settings-crud.test.ts
index 0f6843120a..6c00895dba 100644
--- a/tests/unit/db-settings-crud.test.ts
+++ b/tests/unit/db-settings-crud.test.ts
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ test("getSettings exposes defaults and updateSettings persists typed values", as
   assert.equal(defaults.requestRetry, 3);
   assert.equal(defaults.maxRetryIntervalSec, 30);
   assert.equal(defaults.antigravitySignatureCacheMode, "enabled");
+  assert.equal(defaults.comboConfigMode, "guided");
   assert.equal(updated.requireLogin, false);
   assert.equal(updated.cloudEnabled, true);
   assert.equal(updated.stickyRoundRobinLimit, 7);
diff --git a/tests/unit/settings-schema-routing-strategies.test.ts b/tests/unit/settings-schema-routing-strategies.test.ts
index c433eabc44..170dc94a0c 100644
--- a/tests/unit/settings-schema-routing-strategies.test.ts
+++ b/tests/unit/settings-schema-routing-strategies.test.ts
@@ -38,3 +38,13 @@ test("settings schemas accept wsAuth toggle", () => {
   assert.equal(routeParsed.wsAuth, true);
   assert.equal(sharedParsed.wsAuth, false);
 });
+
+test("settings schemas accept combo configuration modes", () => {
+  const routeParsed = settingsRouteSchema.parse({ comboConfigMode: "expert" });
+  const sharedParsed = sharedSettingsSchema.parse({ comboConfigMode: "guided" });
+
+  assert.equal(routeParsed.comboConfigMode, "expert");
+  assert.equal(sharedParsed.comboConfigMode, "guided");
+  assert.equal(settingsRouteSchema.safeParse({ comboConfigMode: "compact" }).success, false);
+  assert.equal(sharedSettingsSchema.safeParse({ comboConfigMode: "compact" }).success, false);
+});