What is the context window size for GLM-5.1 in Atlas?

GLM-5.1 provides a 200,000 token context window for Atlas. This allows the agent to process a significant amount of code and documentation for complex tasks, though it is smaller than GLM-5.2's 1,000,000 token window.

How much does it cost to use GLM-5.1 with Atlas?

Using GLM-5.1 with Atlas costs $1.40 per million input tokens and $4.40 per million output tokens. This pricing structure is identical to that of GLM-5.2, making context window the primary decision point between the two models.

Is GLM-5.1 better than GLM-5 for Atlas?

Yes, GLM-5.1 represents a clear step up in capability from GLM-5. It offers stronger reasoning and a larger 200,000 token context window, compared to GLM-5's capabilities and its $1.00/$3.20 pricing. For more demanding tasks in Atlas, GLM-5.1 provides superior performance.

Why would I choose GLM-5.1 over GLM-5.2 for Atlas?

Given that GLM-5.1 and GLM-5.2 share the exact same $1.40/$4.40 pricing, there is little reason to choose GLM-5.1 over GLM-5.2 on price alone, as GLM-5.2 ships with a 1,000,000 token context compared to GLM-5.1's 200,000 tokens. The primary reason might be if you specifically need the strongest reasoning at the 200,000 token tier and have no need for the larger context, or for specific benchmarking purposes.

Can Atlas generate long code implementations with GLM-5.1?

Yes, GLM-5.1 has a 131,072 maximum output token capacity. This allows Atlas to generate very long chain-of-thought responses and complete, multi-file implementations in a single turn, without requiring additional continuation prompts from the user.

How does GLM-5.1 compare to GLM-4.7 for Atlas tasks?

GLM-5.1 offers significantly stronger reasoning and a larger context window than GLM-4.7. However, GLM-4.7 has a lower output cost at $2.20 per Mtok, which is half of GLM-5.1's $4.40 per Mtok output. For routine Atlas agent work where extensive reasoning is not critical, GLM-4.7 can be a more cost-effective choice.

How does Atlas leverage GLM-5.1's capabilities?

Atlas leverages GLM-5.1's strong reasoning for drafting detailed plans in its read-only plan agent and for complex code searches using Axis, its hybrid semantic and keyword retrieval system. The model's large 131,072 output token capacity enables Atlas to provide comprehensive solutions, including unified diffs for file edits and complete implementations, all within a single response.

Atlas with GLM-5.1 in 2026

Atlas, the terminal-native AI coding agent, can be driven by GLM-5.1 from Z.ai, a frontier model released in April 2026. This model provides the strongest reasoning within its 200,000 token context tier in the GLM line, making it suitable for complex coding tasks requiring deep understanding and extensive output. With a maximum output of 131,072 tokens, GLM-5.1 allows for comprehensive chain-of-thought reasoning and complete implementations in a single response. Its pricing is set at $1.40 per million input tokens and $4.40 per million output tokens, which is identical to the larger GLM-5.2, making context window the primary differentiator between the two.

What is GLM-5.1 best at inside Atlas?

GLM-5.1 excels within Atlas for tasks demanding superior reasoning and extensive output, leveraging its 200,000 token context window. This model, released in April 2026, provides the strongest reasoning in its tier, making it ideal for complex problem-solving and detailed code generation.

Atlas users will find GLM-5.1 particularly effective for scenarios requiring deep code analysis and comprehensive solutions. Its robust reasoning capabilities, a clear step above GLM-5, allow Atlas to draft more sophisticated plans in its read-only plan agent and execute more accurate code modifications. The generous 131,072 maximum output tokens ensure that Atlas can generate long chain-of-thought explanations and complete, multi-file implementations in a single turn, reducing the need for continuation prompts. This is especially beneficial when Atlas uses Axis, its hybrid semantic and keyword code search, to retrieve relevant code, as GLM-5.1 can process larger search results and formulate more nuanced responses. Atlas's ability to compute a unified diff for every file edit and surface it for approval also benefits from GLM-5.1's precision in generating targeted changes.

What are the cost and context tradeoffs for GLM-5.1?

GLM-5.1 shares its exact pricing of $1.40 per million input tokens and $4.40 per million output tokens with GLM-5.2, which was released later in 2026. This identical cost structure means the primary tradeoff for GLM-5.1 is its 200,000 token context window compared to GLM-5.2's 1,000,000 tokens.

When considering GLM-5.1 for Atlas, developers must weigh its 200,000 token context against the 1,000,000 token context offered by GLM-5.2, given that both models carry the same $1.40 per Mtok input and $4.40 per Mtok output pricing. For tasks that do not require a massive context window, GLM-5.1 still provides the strongest reasoning at its tier. However, for projects involving very large codebases or extensive historical context, GLM-5.2 offers a significant advantage in context capacity without an increase in per-token cost. Another tradeoff to consider is the output pricing: GLM-5.1's $4.40 per Mtok output is double that of GLM-4.7's $2.20, meaning routine agent work that generates a lot of output might be more cost-effective with GLM-4.7 if its capabilities are sufficient.

When should I pick a different model for Atlas?

For developers in 2026, choosing a different model over GLM-5.1 often comes down to either maximizing context or minimizing output cost for specific Atlas workflows. While GLM-5.1 offers strong reasoning, its 200,000 token context and $4.40/Mtok output are key considerations.

You should consider an alternative to GLM-5.1 if your Atlas tasks frequently exceed its 200,000 token context window. In such cases, GLM-5.2 is a direct upgrade, offering a 1,000,000 token context at the exact same $1.40 per Mtok input and $4.40 per Mtok output pricing. This makes GLM-5.2 a more cost-efficient choice for very large projects or when Atlas needs to process extensive documentation or code history. Conversely, for routine agent work within Atlas that involves less complex reasoning but generates a substantial amount of output, GLM-4.7 might be a more economical option. GLM-4.7's $2.20 per Mtok output cost is half of GLM-5.1's, providing significant savings for tasks where its capabilities are sufficient and the 200,000 token context of GLM-5.1 is not strictly necessary.

Setup

01Export your ZHIPU_API_KEY environment variable or run `atlas login` and select Z.ai as your provider.
02Run `atlas models zai` in your terminal to confirm that `glm-5.1` appears in the list of available models.
03Pin `"model": "zai/glm-5.1"` in your `atlas.json` configuration file to set it as the default model for Atlas.
04Benchmark GLM-5.1 head to head with `zai/glm-5.2` on your own repository using the `/models` command in the Atlas TUI, as they share the same pricing and differ mainly in context window size.

Frequently asked questions

What is the context window size for GLM-5.1 in Atlas?: GLM-5.1 provides a 200,000 token context window for Atlas. This allows the agent to process a significant amount of code and documentation for complex tasks, though it is smaller than GLM-5.2's 1,000,000 token window.
How much does it cost to use GLM-5.1 with Atlas?: Using GLM-5.1 with Atlas costs $1.40 per million input tokens and $4.40 per million output tokens. This pricing structure is identical to that of GLM-5.2, making context window the primary decision point between the two models.
Is GLM-5.1 better than GLM-5 for Atlas?: Yes, GLM-5.1 represents a clear step up in capability from GLM-5. It offers stronger reasoning and a larger 200,000 token context window, compared to GLM-5's capabilities and its $1.00/$3.20 pricing. For more demanding tasks in Atlas, GLM-5.1 provides superior performance.
Why would I choose GLM-5.1 over GLM-5.2 for Atlas?: Given that GLM-5.1 and GLM-5.2 share the exact same $1.40/$4.40 pricing, there is little reason to choose GLM-5.1 over GLM-5.2 on price alone, as GLM-5.2 ships with a 1,000,000 token context compared to GLM-5.1's 200,000 tokens. The primary reason might be if you specifically need the strongest reasoning at the 200,000 token tier and have no need for the larger context, or for specific benchmarking purposes.
Can Atlas generate long code implementations with GLM-5.1?: Yes, GLM-5.1 has a 131,072 maximum output token capacity. This allows Atlas to generate very long chain-of-thought responses and complete, multi-file implementations in a single turn, without requiring additional continuation prompts from the user.
How does GLM-5.1 compare to GLM-4.7 for Atlas tasks?: GLM-5.1 offers significantly stronger reasoning and a larger context window than GLM-4.7. However, GLM-4.7 has a lower output cost at $2.20 per Mtok, which is half of GLM-5.1's $4.40 per Mtok output. For routine Atlas agent work where extensive reasoning is not critical, GLM-4.7 can be a more cost-effective choice.
How does Atlas leverage GLM-5.1's capabilities?: Atlas leverages GLM-5.1's strong reasoning for drafting detailed plans in its read-only plan agent and for complex code searches using Axis, its hybrid semantic and keyword retrieval system. The model's large 131,072 output token capacity enables Atlas to provide comprehensive solutions, including unified diffs for file edits and complete implementations, all within a single response.

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