Claude Code no longer has one universal model default for every learner.

As of this course update, Sonnet 5 is the normal daily coding default for Pro, Team Standard, and subscription Enterprise seats. Opus 4.8 is the default for Max, Team Premium, pay-as-you-go Enterprise, and API users. Fable 5 is the highest-capability option when your account has access to it, but it is not the default.

The practical advice is simple: check the model with /model, choose effort deliberately with /effort, and do not assume everyone in a workshop is seeing the same behavior.