Bug type

Regression (worked before, now fails)

Beta release blocker

No

Summary

openclaw cron add/edit --model anthropic/claude-haiku-4-5 --session isolated sets the model correctly in payload.model, but the isolated session always initializes with the default model (claude-sonnet-4-6) instead.

Steps to reproduce

1. openclaw cron add --name "test" --cron "* * * * *" --session isolated --message "hello" --model anthropic/claude-haiku-4-5
2. Wait for or manually trigger: openclaw cron run
3. Check session JSONL: ~/.openclaw/agents/main/sessions/.jsonl
4. Observe model_change event shows default model, not haiku

Expected behavior

Per the docs: "Resolution priority: 1. Job payload override (highest)"
The isolated cron session should start with the specified model.

Actual behavior

Session transcript shows:

{"type":"model_change","modelId":"claude-sonnet-4-6"}

### OpenClaw version

• OpenClaw: 2026.3.28 (f9b1079)

### Operating system

 macOS 25.3.0 (arm64)

### Install method

npm (global install) - OpenClaw version: 2026.3.28

### Model

anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-6

### Provider / routing chain

- No proxy, no router, no external gateway

### Additional provider/model setup details

_No response_

### Logs, screenshots, and evidence

```shell

Impact and severity

No response

Additional information

No response