MODELS & TOOLS // CHOOSER METHOD

Start with the job. Then test the tool.

This is a durable decision method, not a live model ranking. Choose by outcome, budget, privacy, and workflow, then verify current product facts before you pay.

GPT-6 ASTRA / FIELD GUIDE

Start with one task you actually need done.

Explore Astra’s documented capabilities and prepare a repeatable test for coding, research, documents, visual review, tools, or steering.

Build your Astra test →

Writing and everyday work

Look for instruction following, editing control, usable exports, and a price you can sustain.

Your actual document type
Privacy for uploaded files
Revision quality
Monthly limits

Research and learning

Prioritize visible citations, source quality, retrieval dates, and an easy way to challenge an answer.

Primary-source links
Citation accuracy
Current web access
Long-document handling

Coding and agents

The best model is the one that can inspect the right context, use tools safely, and survive your tests.

Repository context
Tool permissions
Test discipline
Cost per completed task

Images, video, and music

Judge controllability, rights, consistency, editing access, and final output, not a single showcase prompt.

Usage rights
Reference control
Artifact consistency
Export quality

Four questions before you pay.

What exact task must improve?
“Better AI” is not a measurable outcome.
What information will it touch?
Public notes and sensitive client files do not belong in the same risk category.
What is the full cost?
Include subscription limits, API usage, retries, integrations, and your review time.
How will you test it?
Use three representative tasks and compare the complete result, not one polished demo.

Tonka rule

Do not switch models because of one benchmark screenshot. Switch when a named version performs better on your work, inside your budget, under conditions you can repeat.