diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a0d3b66..65cb508 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -72,6 +72,9 @@ llm-connect balance --json
 
 # Square text-to-image. The model and the quote are required when a cap is set.
 # Which model and quote: docs/image-model-selection.md
+# Missing Hall of Helix portraits use that tree (general / Efficient).
+llm-connect image plan --hall ../hall-of-helix --json
+llm-connect image render-hall --hall ../hall-of-helix
 # Receipt JSON on stdout; image bytes in --output. Credentials stay in the env.
 llm-connect image render \
   --prompt "precise technical illustration of a gear, no text" \
diff --git a/contracts/functional/images.md b/contracts/functional/images.md
index b5db4ad..a79170e 100644
--- a/contracts/functional/images.md
+++ b/contracts/functional/images.md
@@ -43,8 +43,12 @@ comes from the explicit argument, `OPENROUTER_API_KEY`, or
 `apikey-openrouter.txt`. Only `b64_json` is accepted. A URL in the response
 is not fetched.
 
-There is no default image model. Advisory selection guidance, outside this
-contract: [`docs/image-model-selection.md`](../../docs/image-model-selection.md).
+There is no default image model on `image render`. `image plan` and
+`image render-hall` apply the 2026-10-08 decision tree in
+[`docs/image-model-selection.md`](../../docs/image-model-selection.md).
+A hall portrait that does not ask for vector output, editing, readable text,
+or a brand system uses `google/gemini-nano-banana-2.1` with quote 0.04 USD
+and a per-call cap of 0.08 USD.
 
 ## CLI
 
diff --git a/docs/image-model-selection.md b/docs/image-model-selection.md
index 2e1f2e7..c36d8ba 100644
--- a/docs/image-model-selection.md
+++ b/docs/image-model-selection.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 # Choosing an image model for `llm_connect.images`
 
-`llm_connect.images` has no default image model and does not choose one (see
-[`contracts/functional/images.md`](../contracts/functional/images.md)). This
-guide is advisory input for the caller. It does not change that contract.
+`llm_connect.images` still requires an explicit model on a one-off render.
+Hall backfill does not: `selection_for_prompt` and `llm-connect image plan`
+apply the tree below. A plain hall portrait — square technical illustration,
+no logos, no readable text, one of many — is general / Efficient.
 
 **Source:** intelligence-radar topic digest
 `digests/topics/2026-10-08-1527_Image_Generation_with_Generative_AI_Digest.md`
diff --git a/llm_connect/__init__.py b/llm_connect/__init__.py
index e6c7e65..4d4ca1c 100644
--- a/llm_connect/__init__.py
+++ b/llm_connect/__init__.py
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ from llm_connect.grading import (
     LLMJudge,
     PairedGrader,
 )
+from llm_connect.hall_portraits import HallPortraitJob, plan_missing_portraits
+from llm_connect.image_selection import ImageSelection, choose_image_model, selection_for_prompt
 from llm_connect.images import (
     ImageReceipt,
     ImageRenderRequest,
@@ -161,6 +163,11 @@ __all__ = [
     "OpenRouterImageClient",
     "create_image_client",
     "render_image",
+    "ImageSelection",
+    "choose_image_model",
+    "selection_for_prompt",
+    "HallPortraitJob",
+    "plan_missing_portraits",
     "ModelRate",
     "ModelRateRegistry",
     "CostEstimate",
diff --git a/llm_connect/cli.py b/llm_connect/cli.py
index 0a16e3d..ae23582 100644
--- a/llm_connect/cli.py
+++ b/llm_connect/cli.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ from llm_connect.exceptions import (
 )
 from llm_connect.factory import create_adapter
 from llm_connect.fx import resolve_fx_rate
+from llm_connect.hall_portraits import plan_missing_portraits, reveal_portrait
 from llm_connect.images import (
     ImageRenderRequest,
     ImageSpendGate,
@@ -182,6 +183,36 @@ def _build_parser() -> argparse.ArgumentParser:
     image_render.add_argument("--json", action="store_true", help="Emit receipt JSON")
     image_render.set_defaults(func=_image_render)
 
+    image_plan = image_commands.add_parser(
+        "plan",
+        help="Choose models for hall entries that have no portrait file yet",
+    )
+    image_plan.add_argument("--hall", type=Path, required=True, help="Hall of Helix checkout")
+    image_plan.add_argument(
+        "--tier",
+        default=None,
+        help="Override the general-branch tier (default efficient)",
+    )
+    image_plan.add_argument("--json", action="store_true", help="Emit the plan as JSON")
+    image_plan.set_defaults(func=_image_plan)
+
+    image_hall = image_commands.add_parser(
+        "render-hall",
+        help="Render missing hall portraits using the image decision tree",
+    )
+    image_hall.add_argument("--hall", type=Path, required=True, help="Hall of Helix checkout")
+    image_hall.add_argument("--tier", default=None, help="Override the general-branch tier")
+    image_hall.add_argument("--limit", type=int, default=None, help="Render at most this many missing portraits")
+    image_hall.add_argument("--dry-run", action="store_true", help="Print the plan and do not call a provider")
+    image_hall.add_argument("--provider", default="openrouter", help="Image provider (default openrouter)")
+    image_hall.add_argument("--max-batch-cost-usd", type=float, default=None, help="Override the batch USD cap")
+    image_hall.add_argument("--force", action="store_true", help="Replace an existing output file")
+    image_hall.add_argument("--ledger", type=Path, default=None, help="Usage ledger JSONL path")
+    image_hall.add_argument("--no-ledger", action="store_true", help="Do not append to the usage ledger")
+    image_hall.add_argument("--eur-per-usd", type=float, default=None, help="Override FX rate")
+    image_hall.add_argument("--json", action="store_true", help="Emit receipt JSON")
+    image_hall.set_defaults(func=_image_render_hall)
+
     return parser
 
 
@@ -235,6 +266,138 @@ def _image_render(args: argparse.Namespace) -> int:
     return exit_code
 
 
+def _image_plan(args: argparse.Namespace) -> int:
+    try:
+        jobs = plan_missing_portraits(args.hall, tier=args.tier)
+    except LLMError as exc:
+        print(str(exc), file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+    payload = {
+        "count": len(jobs),
+        "quote_usd": round(sum(job.selection.quote_usd for job in jobs), 4),
+        "max_batch_cost_usd": round(sum(job.selection.max_cost_usd for job in jobs), 4),
+        "by_model": _hall_model_counts(jobs),
+        "jobs": [job.to_dict() for job in jobs],
+    }
+    print(json.dumps(payload, indent=2 if args.json else None, sort_keys=True))
+    return 0
+
+
+def _image_render_hall(args: argparse.Namespace) -> int:
+    if args.limit is not None and args.limit <= 0:
+        raise SystemExit("--limit must be positive")
+    try:
+        jobs = plan_missing_portraits(args.hall, tier=args.tier)
+    except LLMError as exc:
+        print(str(exc), file=sys.stderr)
+        return 1
+    if args.limit is not None:
+        jobs = jobs[: args.limit]
+    if not jobs:
+        print(json.dumps({"count": 0, "receipts": []}, sort_keys=True))
+        return 0
+    if args.dry_run:
+        return _image_plan(args) if args.limit is None else _print_hall_jobs(jobs, json_indent=args.json)
+
+    fx = resolve_fx_rate(args.eur_per_usd)
+    groups: dict[tuple[str, float, float], list[Any]] = {}
+    for job in jobs:
+        key = (job.selection.model, job.selection.quote_usd, job.selection.max_cost_usd)
+        groups.setdefault(key, []).append(job)
+
+    receipts: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
+    exit_code = 0
+    for (model, quote, cap), group in groups.items():
+        batch_cap = args.max_batch_cost_usd
+        if batch_cap is None:
+            batch_cap = round(cap * len(group), 6)
+        try:
+            client = create_image_client(args.provider, model=model)
+            gate = ImageSpendGate(
+                ImageSpendPolicy(
+                    max_cost_usd=cap,
+                    max_batch_cost_usd=batch_cap,
+                    quote_usd=quote,
+                )
+            )
+        except LLMError as exc:
+            print(str(exc), file=sys.stderr)
+            exit_code = 1
+            break
+        for job in group:
+            try:
+                result = render_image(
+                    client,
+                    ImageRenderRequest(
+                        prompt=job.prompt,
+                        output_format="jpeg" if job.output_path.suffix.lower() in {".jpg", ".jpeg"} else "png",
+                        output_path=job.output_path,
+                    ),
+                    gate=gate,
+                    fx=fx,
+                    force=args.force,
+                )
+            except LLMBudgetExceededError as exc:
+                print(str(exc), file=sys.stderr)
+                exit_code = 2
+                break
+            except LLMError as exc:
+                print(str(exc), file=sys.stderr)
+                exit_code = 1
+                break
+            if not args.no_ledger:
+                ledger_path = args.ledger or default_usage_ledger_path()
+                UsageLedger(ledger_path).append(
+                    usage_event_from_receipt(result.receipt, source="cli-hall")
+                )
+            record = {
+                "entry_id": job.entry_id,
+                "branch": job.selection.branch,
+                "tier": job.selection.tier,
+                "receipt": result.receipt.to_dict(),
+            }
+            receipt_dir = job.output_path.parent / "receipts"
+            receipt_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+            receipt_path = receipt_dir / f"{job.output_path.name}.json"
+            receipt_path.write_text(json.dumps(record, indent=2, sort_keys=True) + "\n", encoding="utf-8")
+            updated = reveal_portrait(
+                job.entry_path.read_text(encoding="utf-8"),
+                job.relative_path,
+                job.alt,
+            )
+            job.entry_path.write_text(updated, encoding="utf-8")
+            receipts.append(record)
+            if not result.receipt.within_cap:
+                print("Image cost exceeded the configured cap; batch stopped", file=sys.stderr)
+                exit_code = 2
+                break
+        if exit_code:
+            break
+
+    indent = 2 if args.json else None
+    print(json.dumps({"count": len(receipts), "receipts": receipts}, indent=indent, sort_keys=True))
+    return exit_code
+
+
+def _print_hall_jobs(jobs: list[Any], *, json_indent: bool) -> int:
+    payload = {
+        "count": len(jobs),
+        "quote_usd": round(sum(job.selection.quote_usd for job in jobs), 4),
+        "max_batch_cost_usd": round(sum(job.selection.max_cost_usd for job in jobs), 4),
+        "by_model": _hall_model_counts(jobs),
+        "jobs": [job.to_dict() for job in jobs],
+    }
+    print(json.dumps(payload, indent=2 if json_indent else None, sort_keys=True))
+    return 0
+
+
+def _hall_model_counts(jobs: list[Any]) -> dict[str, int]:
+    counts: dict[str, int] = {}
+    for job in jobs:
+        counts[job.selection.model] = counts.get(job.selection.model, 0) + 1
+    return counts
+
+
 def _image_jobs(args: argparse.Namespace) -> list[ImageRenderRequest]:
     if bool(args.prompt) == bool(args.batch):
         raise SystemExit("Pass exactly one of --prompt or --batch")
diff --git a/llm_connect/hall_portraits.py b/llm_connect/hall_portraits.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7f52b00
--- /dev/null
+++ b/llm_connect/hall_portraits.py
@@ -0,0 +1,179 @@
+"""Find Hall of Helix seats whose visual prompt has no portrait file yet."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import re
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from llm_connect.exceptions import LLMConfigurationError
+from llm_connect.image_selection import ImageSelection, selection_for_prompt
+
+_FRONTMATTER_RE = re.compile(r"\A---\n(.*?)\n---\n", re.S)
+_HEADING_RE = re.compile(r"^## Visual prompt\s*$", re.M)
+_NEXT_HEADING_RE = re.compile(r"^## ", re.M)
+_COMMENT_RE = re.compile(r"<!--\s*!\[([^\]]*)\]\(([^)]+)\)\s*-->")
+_IMAGE_RE = re.compile(r"!\[[^\]]*\]\(([^)]+)\)")
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class HallPortraitJob:
+    """One missing portrait and the model the decision tree assigns to it."""
+
+    entry_path: Path
+    entry_id: str
+    prompt: str
+    output_path: Path
+    relative_path: str
+    alt: str
+    selection: ImageSelection
+
+    def to_dict(self) -> dict[str, object]:
+        payload = self.selection.to_dict()
+        payload.update(
+            {
+                "entry_id": self.entry_id,
+                "entry_path": str(self.entry_path),
+                "output_path": str(self.output_path),
+                "relative_path": self.relative_path,
+                "alt": self.alt,
+                "prompt_chars": len(self.prompt),
+            }
+        )
+        return payload
+
+
+def plan_missing_portraits(hall_root: Path, *, tier: str | None = None) -> list[HallPortraitJob]:
+    """Return jobs for entries that have a visual prompt and no portrait file.
+
+    ``hall_root`` contains ``entries/*.md`` and ``visuals/``. An entry is
+    skipped when any referenced ``visuals/`` file is already on disk.
+    """
+    entries = hall_root / "entries"
+    visuals = hall_root / "visuals"
+    if not entries.is_dir() or not visuals.is_dir():
+        raise LLMConfigurationError(
+            "Hall root must contain entries/ and visuals/",
+            context={"hall_root": str(hall_root)},
+        )
+    jobs: list[HallPortraitJob] = []
+    for path in sorted(entries.glob("*.md")):
+        text = path.read_text(encoding="utf-8")
+        job = _job_for_entry(hall_root, path, text, tier=tier)
+        if job is not None:
+            jobs.append(job)
+    return jobs
+
+
+def reveal_portrait(text: str, relative_path: str, alt: str) -> str:
+    """Turn the commented portrait line into a real markdown image.
+
+    The entry status is left alone. A draft can carry its portrait before
+    the rest of the seat is ready to leave draft.
+    """
+    live = f"![{alt}]({relative_path})"
+    comment = re.compile(
+        rf"<!--\s*!\[[^\]]*\]\({re.escape(relative_path)}\)\s*-->"
+    )
+    if comment.search(text):
+        return comment.sub(live, text, count=1)
+    if live in text:
+        return text
+    needle = "\n## Handoff"
+    if needle in text:
+        return text.replace(needle, f"\n{live}\n{needle}", 1)
+    return text.rstrip() + f"\n\n{live}\n"
+
+
+def _job_for_entry(
+    hall_root: Path,
+    path: Path,
+    text: str,
+    *,
+    tier: str | None,
+) -> HallPortraitJob | None:
+    prompt = _visual_prompt(text)
+    if not prompt:
+        return None
+    relative, alt = _intended_portrait(path, text)
+    output = (path.parent / relative).resolve()
+    visuals = (hall_root / "visuals").resolve()
+    if visuals not in output.parents:
+        raise LLMConfigurationError(
+            "Portrait path must stay under visuals/",
+            context={"entry": path.name, "relative_path": relative},
+        )
+    if output.is_file():
+        return None
+    if _referenced_file_exists(path, text):
+        return None
+    return HallPortraitJob(
+        entry_path=path,
+        entry_id=_frontmatter_value(text, "id") or path.stem,
+        prompt=prompt,
+        output_path=output,
+        relative_path=relative,
+        alt=alt,
+        selection=selection_for_prompt(prompt, tier=tier),
+    )
+
+
+def _visual_prompt(text: str) -> str:
+    match = _HEADING_RE.search(text)
+    if match is None:
+        return ""
+    rest = text[match.end() :]
+    nxt = _NEXT_HEADING_RE.search(rest)
+    section = rest[: nxt.start()] if nxt else rest
+    if "supplied no visual brief" in section.lower():
+        return ""
+    quoted = [
+        line.strip()[1:].strip()
+        for line in section.splitlines()
+        if line.strip().startswith(">")
+    ]
+    quoted_prompt = " ".join(part for part in quoted if part).strip()
+    if quoted_prompt:
+        return quoted_prompt
+    lines: list[str] = []
+    for line in section.splitlines():
+        stripped = line.strip()
+        if not stripped or stripped.startswith("<!--") or stripped.startswith("!["):
+            continue
+        if stripped.startswith("_") or (stripped.startswith("*") and stripped.endswith("*")):
+            continue
+        lines.append(stripped.strip("*").strip())
+    return " ".join(lines).strip()
+
+
+def _intended_portrait(path: Path, text: str) -> tuple[str, str]:
+    commented = _COMMENT_RE.search(text)
+    if commented:
+        alt = commented.group(1).strip() or "Portrait"
+        relative = commented.group(2).strip()
+        return relative, alt
+    entry_id = _frontmatter_value(text, "id") or path.stem
+    safe = re.sub(r"[^A-Za-z0-9._-]+", "-", entry_id).strip("-") or "portrait"
+    return f"../visuals/{safe}.jpg", "Portrait"
+
+
+def _referenced_file_exists(path: Path, text: str) -> bool:
+    for relative in _IMAGE_RE.findall(text):
+        if "visuals/" not in relative:
+            continue
+        # Ignore a path that exists only inside an HTML comment. The image
+        # regex also matches those, so require the file itself.
+        target = (path.parent / relative).resolve()
+        if target.is_file():
+            return True
+    return False
+
+
+def _frontmatter_value(text: str, key: str) -> str:
+    match = _FRONTMATTER_RE.match(text)
+    if match is None:
+        return ""
+    for line in match.group(1).splitlines():
+        if line.startswith(f"{key}:"):
+            return line.split(":", 1)[1].strip().strip('"').strip("'")
+    return ""
diff --git a/llm_connect/image_selection.py b/llm_connect/image_selection.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..304659b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/llm_connect/image_selection.py
@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+"""OpenRouter image-model decision tree.
+
+The tree and the prices come from the intelligence-radar digest dated
+2026-10-08 (``2026-10-08-1527_Image_Generation_with_Generative_AI_Digest``),
+recorded for callers in ``docs/image-model-selection.md``. Ranks and prices
+move. This module is the machine-readable copy of that snapshot, not a live
+leaderboard.
+
+Hall of Helix portraits are general generation: square technical illustration,
+no logos, no readable text, and many of them. Quality still matters, so the
+hall tier is Efficient, not Frontier and not bulk.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import re
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Any
+
+from llm_connect.exceptions import LLMConfigurationError
+
+# branch, tier -> model, approximate USD, quote USD, per-call cap USD
+_CHOICES: dict[tuple[str, str], tuple[str, float, float, float]] = {
+    ("vector", "styles"): ("recraft/recraft-v4-styles-vector", 0.05, 0.06, 0.10),
+    ("vector", "default"): ("recraft/recraft-v4.1-vector", 0.08, 0.09, 0.15),
+    ("vector", "pro"): ("recraft/recraft-v4.1-pro-vector", 0.30, 0.32, 0.40),
+    ("editing", "frontier"): ("openai/gpt-image-2.5-sunburst", 0.21, 0.25, 0.30),
+    ("editing", "efficient"): ("microsoft/mai-image-2.6", 0.039, 0.045, 0.08),
+    ("editing", "budget"): ("meta/muse-image", 0.010, 0.012, 0.03),
+    ("text_heavy", "frontier"): ("openai/gpt-image-2.5-sunburst", 0.21, 0.25, 0.30),
+    ("text_heavy", "grounded"): ("google/gemini-nano-banana-2.1", 0.034, 0.04, 0.08),
+    ("brand", "default"): ("recraft/recraft-v4-styles", 0.035, 0.04, 0.08),
+    ("brand", "pro"): ("recraft/recraft-v4-styles-pro", 0.10, 0.12, 0.16),
+    ("general", "frontier"): ("openai/gpt-image-2.5-sunburst", 0.21, 0.25, 0.30),
+    ("general", "frontier_fast"): ("openai/gpt-image-2.5-flare", 0.21, 0.25, 0.30),
+    ("general", "efficient"): ("google/gemini-nano-banana-2.1", 0.034, 0.04, 0.08),
+    ("general", "efficient_fallback"): ("microsoft/mai-image-2.6", 0.039, 0.045, 0.08),
+    ("general", "budget"): ("meta/muse-image", 0.010, 0.012, 0.03),
+    ("general", "bulk"): ("recraft/recraft-v4.1-flash", 0.007, 0.008, 0.02),
+}
+
+_DEFAULT_TIER = {
+    "vector": "default",
+    "editing": "frontier",
+    "text_heavy": "frontier",
+    "brand": "default",
+    "general": "efficient",
+}
+
+# Many hall portraits, and the portrait is what the public post shows.
+HALL_GENERAL_TIER = "efficient"
+
+_SELF_HOST_RE = re.compile(r"\b(self-host(?:ed|ing)?|open weights|on our own hardware)\b", re.I)
+_VECTOR_RE = re.compile(r"\b(svg|vector output|vector-style|as a vector)\b", re.I)
+_EDIT_RE = re.compile(r"\b(edit the existing|inpaint|image-to-image|change the attached image)\b", re.I)
+_BRAND_RE = re.compile(r"\b(brand kit|brand style|style system)\b", re.I)
+_NEGATED_TEXT_RE = re.compile(
+    r"\b(?:no|not|without|zero)\b(?:\s+\w+){0,5}\s+(?:readable\s+)?(?:text|lettering|glyphs?)\b",
+    re.I,
+)
+_TEXT_RE = re.compile(
+    r"\b(readable text|typography|caption|headline|lettering|signage|the words)\b",
+    re.I,
+)
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class ImageSelection:
+    """One branch of the OpenRouter image tree."""
+
+    branch: str
+    tier: str
+    model: str
+    approx_usd: float
+    quote_usd: float
+    max_cost_usd: float
+    reason: str
+
+    def to_dict(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
+        return {
+            "branch": self.branch,
+            "tier": self.tier,
+            "model": self.model,
+            "approx_usd": self.approx_usd,
+            "quote_usd": self.quote_usd,
+            "max_cost_usd": self.max_cost_usd,
+            "reason": self.reason,
+        }
+
+
+def classify_image_branch(prompt: str) -> str:
+    """Walk the digest tree in order. The first match wins."""
+    if _SELF_HOST_RE.search(prompt):
+        return "self_host"
+    if _VECTOR_RE.search(prompt):
+        return "vector"
+    if _EDIT_RE.search(prompt):
+        return "editing"
+    without_negations = _NEGATED_TEXT_RE.sub(" ", prompt)
+    # A prompt that forbids readable text is not the text-heavy branch, even
+    # when it mentions words as something the picture must not contain.
+    forbids_text = _NEGATED_TEXT_RE.search(prompt) is not None
+    if _TEXT_RE.search(without_negations) and not forbids_text:
+        return "text_heavy"
+    if _BRAND_RE.search(prompt):
+        return "brand"
+    return "general"
+
+
+def choose_image_model(branch: str, tier: str | None = None) -> ImageSelection:
+    """Return the priced OpenRouter model for one branch and tier."""
+    if branch == "self_host":
+        raise LLMConfigurationError(
+            "Self-hosted or open-weight image generation is not available through OpenRouter",
+            context={"branch": branch},
+        )
+    if branch not in _DEFAULT_TIER:
+        known = ", ".join(sorted(_DEFAULT_TIER))
+        raise LLMConfigurationError(
+            f"Unknown image branch {branch!r}. Choose from: {known}",
+            context={"branch": branch},
+        )
+    selected_tier = tier or _DEFAULT_TIER[branch]
+    choice = _CHOICES.get((branch, selected_tier))
+    if choice is None:
+        known = ", ".join(sorted(item[1] for item in _CHOICES if item[0] == branch))
+        raise LLMConfigurationError(
+            f"Unknown tier {selected_tier!r} for branch {branch!r}. Choose from: {known}",
+            context={"branch": branch, "tier": selected_tier},
+        )
+    model, approx, quote, cap = choice
+    reason = (
+        f"{branch}/{selected_tier} from the 2026-10-08 OpenRouter image tree; "
+        f"quote {quote:.3f} USD against about {approx:.3f} USD per 1024 square image"
+    )
+    return ImageSelection(
+        branch=branch,
+        tier=selected_tier,
+        model=model,
+        approx_usd=approx,
+        quote_usd=quote,
+        max_cost_usd=cap,
+        reason=reason,
+    )
+
+
+def selection_for_prompt(prompt: str, *, tier: str | None = None) -> ImageSelection:
+    """Classify a prompt, then price it.
+
+    ``tier`` overrides only the general branch. Specialist branches keep the
+    tree's own default, because a hall portrait that asks for readable text
+    is no longer an Efficient general image.
+    """
+    branch = classify_image_branch(prompt)
+    if branch == "general":
+        return choose_image_model(branch, tier or HALL_GENERAL_TIER)
+    return choose_image_model(branch, None)
diff --git a/tests/test_image_selection.py b/tests/test_image_selection.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3260880
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_image_selection.py
@@ -0,0 +1,141 @@
+"""Decision tree and hall portrait planning."""
+
+import json
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from llm_connect.cli import main
+from llm_connect.hall_portraits import plan_missing_portraits, reveal_portrait
+from llm_connect.image_selection import classify_image_branch, selection_for_prompt
+
+HALL_PROMPT = (
+    "Constellation dialect. Square, dark indigo. A gold-wire helix. "
+    "Fine technical-illustration linework, no logos, no readable text."
+)
+
+
+def test_hall_house_prompt_is_general_efficient() -> None:
+    selection = selection_for_prompt(HALL_PROMPT)
+    assert classify_image_branch(HALL_PROMPT) == "general"
+    assert selection.tier == "efficient"
+    assert selection.model == "google/gemini-nano-banana-2.1"
+    assert selection.quote_usd == 0.04
+    assert selection.max_cost_usd == 0.08
+
+
+def test_negated_text_does_not_become_text_heavy() -> None:
+    assert classify_image_branch("no logos, no readable text, pale gold") == "general"
+
+
+def test_abstract_marks_stay_on_the_general_branch() -> None:
+    prompt = (
+        "a ledger glows with the words rendered as abstract marks, not readable text. "
+        "no logos, no lettering"
+    )
+    assert classify_image_branch(prompt) == "general"
+
+
+def test_requested_words_take_the_text_branch() -> None:
+    selection = selection_for_prompt("A poster whose headline is the words HELIX")
+    assert selection.branch == "text_heavy"
+    assert selection.model == "openai/gpt-image-2.5-sunburst"
+
+
+def test_vector_and_self_host_follow_the_tree() -> None:
+    assert selection_for_prompt("Export as a vector svg icon").model.startswith("recraft/")
+    try:
+        selection_for_prompt("self-host the open weights on our own hardware")
+    except Exception as exc:
+        assert "OpenRouter" in str(exc)
+    else:
+        raise AssertionError("self-host branch should refuse")
+
+
+def _entry(visual: str, comment: str | None, entry_id: str = "hall-worker-ada-1") -> str:
+    commented = f"<!-- ![{comment}](../visuals/ada.jpg) -->\n" if comment else ""
+    return f"""---
+id: {entry_id}
+status: draft
+---
+
+# Ada — a seat
+
+## Visual prompt
+
+> {visual}
+
+{commented}
+## Handoff
+
+Next.
+"""
+
+
+def test_plan_skips_a_portrait_that_is_already_on_disk(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+    entries = tmp_path / "entries"
+    visuals = tmp_path / "visuals"
+    entries.mkdir()
+    visuals.mkdir()
+    (entries / "one.md").write_text(_entry(HALL_PROMPT, "Ada"), encoding="utf-8")
+    (entries / "two.md").write_text(_entry(HALL_PROMPT, None, "hall-worker-bea-2"), encoding="utf-8")
+    (visuals / "bea-file.jpg").write_bytes(b"x")
+    # two.md has no comment, so its derived file is the id. Put that file on disk.
+    (visuals / "hall-worker-bea-2.jpg").write_bytes(b"x")
+
+    jobs = plan_missing_portraits(tmp_path)
+    assert [job.entry_id for job in jobs] == ["hall-worker-ada-1"]
+    assert jobs[0].output_path == visuals / "ada.jpg"
+    assert jobs[0].relative_path == "../visuals/ada.jpg"
+    assert jobs[0].alt == "Ada"
+    assert "no readable text" in jobs[0].prompt
+
+
+def test_reveal_portrait_uncomments_the_intended_line() -> None:
+    text = _entry(HALL_PROMPT, "Ada")
+    updated = reveal_portrait(text, "../visuals/ada.jpg", "Ada")
+    assert "<!--" not in updated
+    assert "![Ada](../visuals/ada.jpg)" in updated
+    assert "status: draft" in updated
+
+
+def test_plan_reads_a_prompt_that_is_not_a_blockquote(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+    entries = tmp_path / "entries"
+    visuals = tmp_path / "visuals"
+    entries.mkdir()
+    visuals.mkdir()
+    body = """---
+id: hall-worker-cy-3
+status: draft
+---
+
+# Cy — a seat
+
+## Visual prompt
+
+**Dialect:** Constellation. Square, no logos, no readable text.
+
+A gold-wire orrery suspended in dark indigo.
+
+## Handoff
+
+Next.
+"""
+    (entries / "three.md").write_text(body, encoding="utf-8")
+    jobs = plan_missing_portraits(tmp_path)
+    assert len(jobs) == 1
+    assert "orrery" in jobs[0].prompt
+    assert jobs[0].output_path.name == "hall-worker-cy-3.jpg"
+
+
+def test_cli_plan_is_dry_and_names_the_efficient_model(tmp_path: Path, capsys) -> None:
+    entries = tmp_path / "entries"
+    visuals = tmp_path / "visuals"
+    entries.mkdir()
+    visuals.mkdir()
+    (entries / "one.md").write_text(_entry(HALL_PROMPT, "Ada"), encoding="utf-8")
+    code = main(["image", "plan", "--hall", str(tmp_path), "--json"])
+    assert code == 0
+    payload = json.loads(capsys.readouterr().out)
+    assert payload["count"] == 1
+    assert payload["jobs"][0]["model"] == "google/gemini-nano-banana-2.1"
+    assert payload["max_batch_cost_usd"] == 0.08
+    assert not (visuals / "ada.jpg").exists()
diff --git a/tests/test_package_exports.py b/tests/test_package_exports.py
index 66cd4e5..4d2cba9 100644
--- a/tests/test_package_exports.py
+++ b/tests/test_package_exports.py
@@ -73,6 +73,11 @@ def test_image_render_primitives_are_exported_from_package_root():
         "OpenRouterImageClient",
         "create_image_client",
         "render_image",
+        "ImageSelection",
+        "choose_image_model",
+        "selection_for_prompt",
+        "HallPortraitJob",
+        "plan_missing_portraits",
     ]
 
     for name in expected_names:
diff --git a/workplans/LLM-WP-0010-text-to-image-rendering.md b/workplans/LLM-WP-0010-text-to-image-rendering.md
index 84c55dd..08c87b4 100644
--- a/workplans/LLM-WP-0010-text-to-image-rendering.md
+++ b/workplans/LLM-WP-0010-text-to-image-rendering.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ type: workplan
 title: "Text-to-image rendering for square portraits"
 domain: agents
 repo: llm-connect
-status: blocked
+status: active
 flavor: implementation
 owner: grok
 topic_slug: text-to-image-rendering
@@ -68,15 +68,19 @@ The process-lifetime batch cap is shared by concurrent requests.
 
 ```task
 id: LLM-WP-0010-T04
-status: wait
+status: progress
 priority: medium
-blocking_reason: "The facility is in place and covered by fake-provider tests. A paid Hall of Helix backfill still needs the founder to name the image model, the per-call quote, and the batch cap. fluid-telegram asked not to have that chosen for them."
+blocking_reason: "The founder pointed at the 2026-10-08 intelligence-radar image decision tree. Hall portraits that stay on the general branch use Efficient (google/gemini-nano-banana-2.1, quote 0.04 USD, cap 0.08 USD). The backfill command is llm-connect image render-hall. A paid run is still in progress until every missing portrait file exists."
 state_hub_task_id: "e69a1f53-a1d5-540e-a926-0f2a32ae4f54"
 ```
 
 Do not run a paid render, deploy a new image, or write hall portraits until
 that choice is recorded. Reply to fluid-telegram used this workplan id.
 
-2026-10-08 follow-up: T01–T03 are the whole of the work this repository can
-finish. No model, quote, or batch cap has been named, and no newer inbox
-message supplies one. The workplan is `blocked` while T04 stays `wait`.
+2026-10-08 decision: use the intelligence-radar OpenRouter tree in
+`llm_connect.image_selection`. A hall visual that does not ask for vector
+output, editing, readable text, or a brand system is general / Efficient.
+`llm-connect image render-hall --hall <hall-of-helix>` renders only entries
+whose portrait file is absent, writes `visuals/`, stores a receipt under
+`visuals/receipts/`, and uncomments the portrait line. It does not change
+`status`. Text-heavy prompts stay on the tree's Frontier row.