**`llm.model` no longer auto-fills `gemma3:12b`.** Pre-1.7 installs silently downloaded a multi-GB Ollama binary on first use. The field is now empty by default — pick a model in **Settings → LLM**, or research will fail loudly with a clear `ValueError`. Existing users with a saved `llm.model` setting are unaffected; fresh installs see an inline warning in Settings (`aria-live="polite"`) and a clear error on research start. Affects all built-in providers (`openai`, `anthropic`, `ollama`, `lmstudio`, `llamacpp`, `google`, `openrouter`, `ionos`, `xai`).
