Choosing an AI model in LibreChat

Questions

  • How do I choose the right AI model in LibreChat?
  • What are the differences between the available AI models?
  • When should I use an Agent instead of a model?
  • What Agents are available in LibreChat?
  • How do I access and use Agents in LibreChat?
  • What is the default AI model in LibreChat?

Environment

This article applies to Bowdoin College faculty, staff, and students using LibreChat through a web browser on Bowdoin-managed or personal devices. Users must sign in with Bowdoin Single Sign-On and multi-factor authentication. Model and Agent availability may change as new options are added and older ones are retired.

Resolution

Choosing an AI model

In LibreChat, select your model from the drop-down menu in the upper-left corner of the chat window. The default model is GPT-5, which is suitable for most tasks. Choosing the right model depends on the complexity, purpose, and sensitivity of your task.

AI model chooser drop-down in LibreChat showing available model groups.

Model comparison

The table below summarises the current LibreChat model groups, their strengths, and typical use cases. The model list is updated as new models are added and older ones are retired.

Model group Strengths Best for Limitations
OpenAI GPT
(GPT-4o, GPT-5, GPT-5.5, o-series reasoning models)		 Broad capability across writing, reasoning, coding, and analysis. GPT-5 and later models offer strong reasoning and creative output General use, academic writing, coding, complex multi-step tasks Larger models may have higher latency; o-series reasoning models are slower but more thorough
Anthropic Claude
(Claude Sonnet 4.x, Claude Opus 4.x)		 Strong at reasoning, summarising, and following complex instructions with a clear, balanced style. Excels at nuanced writing Research summaries, academic writing assistance, policy drafting, sensitive-topic handling Generally slightly slower than smaller models; use the latest version for best results
Amazon Nova
(Nova Pro v1.0)		 Optimised for accurate, fast, reliable responses; good for structured outputs Administrative workflows, data extraction, academic Q&A May be less creative than Claude or GPT for open-ended writing
Meta LLaMA
(LLaMA 3 & 4 Maverick)		 Open-source models well-suited to general use, especially where cost efficiency matters Brainstorming, summarising readings, drafts where high precision is not critical May be less nuanced than top-tier proprietary models on very complex tasks
DeepSeek
(R1)		 High-speed reasoning and code generation; good at technical problem-solving Programming help, data analysis, technical troubleshooting, maths-heavy tasks Produces more concise than elaborate prose — best suited to technical or analytical work
Tip: If you are unsure which model to use, start with GPT-5 (the default). Experiment with a small test prompt before committing to a longer session with an unfamiliar model.

Choosing an Agent

An Agent is a specialised AI assistant pre-configured with a defined purpose, tools, and instructions. Unlike a general chat session, Agents can be set up with custom knowledge or persistent behaviour rules. Bowdoin IT has pre-configured and shared the following Agents with all LibreChat users:

Agent location in the LibreChat model selection drop-down.

  • Image Generation Agent — generates images using OpenAI's image generation model in response to descriptive prompts
  • Artifacts Agent — generates diagrams, previews HTML, React components, and other structured outputs in a separate interactive panel

Agents are accessed from the same model drop-down in the upper-left corner of the main chat window, under the My Agents section.

Image Generation Agent example showing a generated image in the LibreChat chat window.

To create your own custom Agent, see Creating an agent in LibreChat in the Related Articles section.

Video walkthrough

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
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Creating an agent in LibreChat
Step-by-step instructions for creating a custom AI agent in LibreChat using the Agent Builder — covering naming, writing instructions, selecting a model, configuring capabilities (File Context, File Search, Artifacts), adding tools, and accessing the finished agent. Includes troubleshooting and tips for writing effective agent instructions.
Getting Started with LibreChat
Instructions for logging in to LibreChat, Bowdoin's AI chat platform, for the first time — including both sign-in methods, completing the Terms of Service, and an overview of the interface layout. Applies to all current Bowdoin faculty, staff, and students with LibreChat access.
LibreChat Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answers to frequently asked questions about LibreChat at Bowdoin, covering what it is, who can use it, data security, available AI models, features including prompt templates and custom instructions, and context window limits.
Prompting in LibreChat
An introduction to prompting in LibreChat — how to write effective prompts, start a chat, use follow-up actions on responses (read aloud, copy, edit, fork, regenerate), and use the temporary chat feature for private or ephemeral sessions.