diff --git a/cmd/launch/integrations_test.go b/cmd/launch/integrations_test.go
index 1219f4e5..ef6b996c 100644
--- a/cmd/launch/integrations_test.go
+++ b/cmd/launch/integrations_test.go
@@ -610,6 +610,36 @@ func TestBuildModelList_CheckedBeforeRecs(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestBuildModelList_CurrentPrefersExactLocalOverCloudPrefix(t *testing.T) {
+	existing := []modelInfo{
+		{Name: "qwen3.5:cloud", Remote: true},
+		{Name: "qwen3.5", Remote: false},
+	}
+
+	_, orderedChecked, _, _ := buildModelList(existing, []string{"qwen3.5", "qwen3.5:cloud"}, "qwen3.5")
+	if len(orderedChecked) < 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected orderedChecked to preserve both selections, got %v", orderedChecked)
+	}
+	if orderedChecked[0] != "qwen3.5" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected exact local current to stay first, got %v", orderedChecked)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestBuildModelList_CurrentPrefersExactCloudOverLocalPrefix(t *testing.T) {
+	existing := []modelInfo{
+		{Name: "qwen3.5", Remote: false},
+		{Name: "qwen3.5:cloud", Remote: true},
+	}
+
+	_, orderedChecked, _, _ := buildModelList(existing, []string{"qwen3.5:cloud", "qwen3.5"}, "qwen3.5:cloud")
+	if len(orderedChecked) < 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected orderedChecked to preserve both selections, got %v", orderedChecked)
+	}
+	if orderedChecked[0] != "qwen3.5:cloud" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected exact cloud current to stay first, got %v", orderedChecked)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestEditorIntegration_SavedConfigSkipsSelection(t *testing.T) {
 	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
 	setTestHome(t, tmpDir)
diff --git a/cmd/launch/launch.go b/cmd/launch/launch.go
index 5704c4aa..2109b05f 100644
--- a/cmd/launch/launch.go
+++ b/cmd/launch/launch.go
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ func (c *launcherClient) selectSingleModelWithSelector(ctx context.Context, titl
 		return "", fmt.Errorf("no selector configured")
 	}
 
-	items, _, err := c.loadSelectableModels(ctx, singleModelPrechecked(current), current, "no models available, run 'ollama pull <model>' first")
+	items, _, err := c.loadSelectableModels(ctx, nil, current, "no models available, run 'ollama pull <model>' first")
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
@@ -535,10 +535,21 @@ func (c *launcherClient) selectMultiModelsForIntegration(ctx context.Context, ru
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("no selector configured")
 	}
 
-	items, orderedChecked, err := c.loadSelectableModels(ctx, preChecked, firstModel(preChecked), "no models available")
+	current := firstModel(preChecked)
+
+	items, orderedChecked, err := c.loadSelectableModels(ctx, preChecked, current, "no models available")
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
+	if len(preChecked) > 0 {
+		// Keep list order stable in multi-select even when there are existing checks.
+		// checked/default state still comes from orderedChecked.
+		stableItems, _, stableErr := c.loadSelectableModels(ctx, nil, current, "no models available")
+		if stableErr != nil {
+			return nil, stableErr
+		}
+		items = stableItems
+	}
 
 	selected, err := DefaultMultiSelector(fmt.Sprintf("Select models for %s:", runner), items, orderedChecked)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/cmd/launch/launch_test.go b/cmd/launch/launch_test.go
index ca29afcf..3c77bd0f 100644
--- a/cmd/launch/launch_test.go
+++ b/cmd/launch/launch_test.go
@@ -330,6 +330,60 @@ func TestResolveRunModel_ForcePickerAlwaysUsesSelector(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestResolveRunModel_ForcePicker_DoesNotReorderByLastModel(t *testing.T) {
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+	setLaunchTestHome(t, tmpDir)
+	withLauncherHooks(t)
+
+	if err := config.SetLastModel("qwen3.5"); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to save last model: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	var gotNames []string
+	DefaultSingleSelector = func(title string, items []ModelItem, current string) (string, error) {
+		if current != "qwen3.5" {
+			t.Fatalf("expected current selection to be last model, got %q", current)
+		}
+
+		gotNames = make([]string, 0, len(items))
+		for _, item := range items {
+			gotNames = append(gotNames, item.Name)
+		}
+		return "qwen3.5", nil
+	}
+
+	srv := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		switch r.URL.Path {
+		case "/api/tags":
+			fmt.Fprint(w, `{"models":[{"name":"qwen3.5"},{"name":"glm-4.7-flash"}]}`)
+		case "/api/show":
+			fmt.Fprint(w, `{"model":"qwen3.5"}`)
+		default:
+			http.NotFound(w, r)
+		}
+	}))
+	defer srv.Close()
+	t.Setenv("OLLAMA_HOST", srv.URL)
+
+	_, err := ResolveRunModel(context.Background(), RunModelRequest{ForcePicker: true})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ResolveRunModel returned error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(gotNames) == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("expected selector to receive model items")
+	}
+
+	glmIdx := slices.Index(gotNames, "glm-4.7-flash")
+	qwenIdx := slices.Index(gotNames, "qwen3.5")
+	if glmIdx == -1 || qwenIdx == -1 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected recommended local models in selector items, got %v", gotNames)
+	}
+	if qwenIdx < glmIdx {
+		t.Fatalf("expected list order to stay stable and not float last model to top, got %v", gotNames)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestResolveRunModel_UsesSignInHookForCloudModel(t *testing.T) {
 	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
 	setLaunchTestHome(t, tmpDir)
@@ -448,6 +502,74 @@ func TestLaunchIntegration_EditorForceConfigure(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestLaunchIntegration_EditorForceConfigure_DoesNotFloatCheckedModelsInPicker(t *testing.T) {
+	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
+	setLaunchTestHome(t, tmpDir)
+	withLauncherHooks(t)
+
+	binDir := t.TempDir()
+	writeFakeBinary(t, binDir, "droid")
+	t.Setenv("PATH", binDir)
+
+	editor := &launcherEditorRunner{}
+	withIntegrationOverride(t, "droid", editor)
+
+	if err := config.SaveIntegration("droid", []string{"qwen3.5:cloud", "qwen3.5"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to seed config: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	var gotItems []string
+	var gotPreChecked []string
+	DefaultMultiSelector = func(title string, items []ModelItem, preChecked []string) ([]string, error) {
+		for _, item := range items {
+			gotItems = append(gotItems, item.Name)
+		}
+		gotPreChecked = append([]string(nil), preChecked...)
+		return []string{"qwen3.5:cloud", "qwen3.5"}, nil
+	}
+
+	srv := httptest.NewServer(http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		switch r.URL.Path {
+		case "/api/tags":
+			fmt.Fprint(w, `{"models":[{"name":"qwen3.5:cloud","remote_model":"qwen3.5"},{"name":"qwen3.5"}]}`)
+		case "/api/show":
+			var req apiShowRequest
+			_ = json.NewDecoder(r.Body).Decode(&req)
+			if req.Model == "qwen3.5:cloud" {
+				fmt.Fprint(w, `{"remote_model":"qwen3.5"}`)
+				return
+			}
+			fmt.Fprintf(w, `{"model":%q}`, req.Model)
+		case "/api/me":
+			fmt.Fprint(w, `{"name":"test-user"}`)
+		default:
+			http.NotFound(w, r)
+		}
+	}))
+	defer srv.Close()
+	t.Setenv("OLLAMA_HOST", srv.URL)
+
+	if err := LaunchIntegration(context.Background(), IntegrationLaunchRequest{
+		Name:           "droid",
+		ForceConfigure: true,
+	}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("LaunchIntegration returned error: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if len(gotItems) == 0 {
+		t.Fatal("expected multi selector to receive items")
+	}
+	if gotItems[0] != "kimi-k2.5:cloud" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected stable recommendation order with kimi-k2.5:cloud first, got %v", gotItems)
+	}
+	if len(gotPreChecked) < 2 {
+		t.Fatalf("expected prechecked models to be preserved, got %v", gotPreChecked)
+	}
+	if gotPreChecked[0] != "qwen3.5:cloud" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected saved default to remain first in prechecked, got %v", gotPreChecked)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestLaunchIntegration_EditorModelOverridePreservesExtras(t *testing.T) {
 	tmpDir := t.TempDir()
 	setLaunchTestHome(t, tmpDir)
diff --git a/cmd/launch/models.go b/cmd/launch/models.go
index 40cb9e41..3befb5d2 100644
--- a/cmd/launch/models.go
+++ b/cmd/launch/models.go
@@ -295,12 +295,25 @@ func buildModelList(existing []modelInfo, preChecked []string, current string) (
 		checked[n] = true
 	}
 
-	for _, item := range items {
-		if item.Name == current || strings.HasPrefix(item.Name, current+":") {
-			current = item.Name
-			break
+	if current != "" {
+		matchedCurrent := false
+		for _, item := range items {
+			if item.Name == current {
+				current = item.Name
+				matchedCurrent = true
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if !matchedCurrent {
+			for _, item := range items {
+				if strings.HasPrefix(item.Name, current+":") {
+					current = item.Name
+					break
+				}
+			}
 		}
 	}
+
 	if checked[current] {
 		preChecked = append([]string{current}, slices.DeleteFunc(preChecked, func(m string) bool { return m == current })...)
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/tui/selector.go b/cmd/tui/selector.go
index c863f089..28ffda56 100644
--- a/cmd/tui/selector.go
+++ b/cmd/tui/selector.go
@@ -377,13 +377,24 @@ func (m selectorModel) View() string {
 
 // cursorForCurrent returns the item index matching current, or 0 if not found.
 func cursorForCurrent(items []SelectItem, current string) int {
-	if current != "" {
-		for i, item := range items {
-			if item.Name == current || strings.HasPrefix(item.Name, current+":") || strings.HasPrefix(current, item.Name+":") {
-				return i
-			}
+	if current == "" {
+		return 0
+	}
+
+	// Prefer exact name matches before tag-prefix fallback so "qwen3.5" does not
+	// incorrectly select "qwen3.5:cloud" (and vice versa) based on list order.
+	for i, item := range items {
+		if item.Name == current {
+			return i
 		}
 	}
+
+	for i, item := range items {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(item.Name, current+":") || strings.HasPrefix(current, item.Name+":") {
+			return i
+		}
+	}
+
 	return 0
 }
 
@@ -529,6 +540,7 @@ func (m *multiSelectorModel) toggleItem() {
 	origIdx := m.itemIndex[item.Name]
 
 	if m.checked[origIdx] {
+		wasDefault := len(m.checkOrder) > 0 && m.checkOrder[len(m.checkOrder)-1] == origIdx
 		delete(m.checked, origIdx)
 		for i, idx := range m.checkOrder {
 			if idx == origIdx {
@@ -536,6 +548,34 @@ func (m *multiSelectorModel) toggleItem() {
 				break
 			}
 		}
+		if wasDefault {
+			// When removing the default, pick the nearest checked model above it
+			// (or below if none above) so default fallback follows list order.
+			newDefault := -1
+			for i := origIdx - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
+				if m.checked[i] {
+					newDefault = i
+					break
+				}
+			}
+			if newDefault == -1 {
+				for i := origIdx + 1; i < len(m.items); i++ {
+					if m.checked[i] {
+						newDefault = i
+						break
+					}
+				}
+			}
+			if newDefault != -1 {
+				for i, idx := range m.checkOrder {
+					if idx == newDefault {
+						m.checkOrder = append(m.checkOrder[:i], m.checkOrder[i+1:]...)
+						break
+					}
+				}
+				m.checkOrder = append(m.checkOrder, newDefault)
+			}
+		}
 	} else {
 		m.checked[origIdx] = true
 		m.checkOrder = append(m.checkOrder, origIdx)
diff --git a/cmd/tui/selector_test.go b/cmd/tui/selector_test.go
index 33e12a02..53700bba 100644
--- a/cmd/tui/selector_test.go
+++ b/cmd/tui/selector_test.go
@@ -232,6 +232,25 @@ func TestSelectorModelWithCurrent_ScrollsToCurrentInMoreSection(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestSelectorModelWithCurrent_HighlightsExactLocalWhenCloudVariantExists(t *testing.T) {
+	m := selectorModelWithCurrent("Pick:", []SelectItem{
+		{Name: "qwen3.5:cloud", Recommended: true},
+		{Name: "qwen3.5", Recommended: true},
+	}, "qwen3.5")
+
+	if m.cursor != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("cursor = %d, want 1", m.cursor)
+	}
+
+	content := m.renderContent()
+	if !strings.Contains(content, "▸ qwen3.5") {
+		t.Fatalf("expected local qwen3.5 to be highlighted\n%s", content)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(content, "▸ qwen3.5:cloud") {
+		t.Fatalf("did not expect cloud qwen3.5:cloud to be highlighted\n%s", content)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestRenderContent_SectionHeaders(t *testing.T) {
 	m := selectorModel{
 		title: "Pick:",
@@ -434,6 +453,28 @@ func TestCursorForCurrent(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestCursorForCurrent_PrefersExactLocalOverCloudPrefix(t *testing.T) {
+	testItems := []SelectItem{
+		{Name: "qwen3.5:cloud", Recommended: true},
+		{Name: "qwen3.5", Recommended: true},
+	}
+
+	if got := cursorForCurrent(testItems, "qwen3.5"); got != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("cursorForCurrent(%q) = %d, want %d", "qwen3.5", got, 1)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCursorForCurrent_PrefersExactCloudOverLocalPrefix(t *testing.T) {
+	testItems := []SelectItem{
+		{Name: "qwen3.5", Recommended: true},
+		{Name: "qwen3.5:cloud", Recommended: true},
+	}
+
+	if got := cursorForCurrent(testItems, "qwen3.5:cloud"); got != 1 {
+		t.Errorf("cursorForCurrent(%q) = %d, want %d", "qwen3.5:cloud", got, 1)
+	}
+}
+
 // --- ReorderItems ---
 
 func TestReorderItems(t *testing.T) {
@@ -799,6 +840,34 @@ func TestMulti_LastCheckedIsDefault(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestMulti_UncheckingDefaultFallsBackToNearestCheckedAbove(t *testing.T) {
+	// Default is "b", and checked models are "a", "b", "c".
+	// Unticking default should make "a" (the nearest checked item above) default.
+	m := newMultiSelectorModel("Pick:", items("a", "b", "c"), []string{"b", "c", "a"})
+	m.multi = true
+	m.cursor = 1 // "b"
+	m.toggleItem()
+
+	lastIdx := m.checkOrder[len(m.checkOrder)-1]
+	if m.items[lastIdx].Name != "a" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected default to fall back to 'a', got %q", m.items[lastIdx].Name)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestMulti_UncheckingTopDefaultFallsBackToNearestCheckedBelow(t *testing.T) {
+	// Default is top item "a". With no checked item above, fallback should pick
+	// the nearest checked item below ("b").
+	m := newMultiSelectorModel("Pick:", items("a", "b", "c"), []string{"a", "c", "b"})
+	m.multi = true
+	m.cursor = 0 // "a"
+	m.toggleItem()
+
+	lastIdx := m.checkOrder[len(m.checkOrder)-1]
+	if m.items[lastIdx].Name != "b" {
+		t.Fatalf("expected default to fall back to 'b', got %q", m.items[lastIdx].Name)
+	}
+}
+
 // Key message helpers for testing
 
 type keyType = int