diff --git a/.github/scripts/update-homebrew-tap.sh b/.github/scripts/update-homebrew-tap.sh
index 5d8f970e..04c43366 100644
--- a/.github/scripts/update-homebrew-tap.sh
+++ b/.github/scripts/update-homebrew-tap.sh
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 #
 # Expected environment:
 #   TAG       – git tag, e.g. "v0.8.31"
-#   MANIFEST  – path to deepseek-artifacts-sha256.txt
+#   MANIFEST  – path to codewhale-artifacts-sha256.txt
 #   TAP_REPO  – owner/repo of the Homebrew tap
 #   TOKEN     – PAT with contents:write on TAP_REPO (optional; skips if unset)
 
@@ -43,15 +43,6 @@ readonly SHA_COD_LINUX_ARM="$(sha codewhale-linux-arm64)"
 readonly SHA_TUI_LINUX_ARM="$(sha codewhale-tui-linux-arm64)"
 readonly SHA_COD_LINUX_X64="$(sha codewhale-linux-x64)"
 readonly SHA_TUI_LINUX_X64="$(sha codewhale-tui-linux-x64)"
-# Legacy shims (removed in v0.9.0)
-readonly SHA_LEG_MACOS_ARM="$(sha deepseek-macos-arm64)"
-readonly SHA_LEG_TUI_MACOS_ARM="$(sha deepseek-tui-macos-arm64)"
-readonly SHA_LEG_MACOS_X64="$(sha deepseek-macos-x64)"
-readonly SHA_LEG_TUI_MACOS_X64="$(sha deepseek-tui-macos-x64)"
-readonly SHA_LEG_LINUX_ARM="$(sha deepseek-linux-arm64)"
-readonly SHA_LEG_TUI_LINUX_ARM="$(sha deepseek-tui-linux-arm64)"
-readonly SHA_LEG_LINUX_X64="$(sha deepseek-linux-x64)"
-readonly SHA_LEG_TUI_LINUX_X64="$(sha deepseek-tui-linux-x64)"
 
 # --- temp dirs --------------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -78,14 +69,6 @@ class DeepseekTui < Formula
         url "${BASE_URL}/codewhale-tui-macos-arm64", using: :nounzip
         sha256 "${SHA_TUI_MACOS_ARM}"
       end
-      resource "legacy-shim" do
-        url "${BASE_URL}/deepseek-macos-arm64", using: :nounzip
-        sha256 "${SHA_LEG_MACOS_ARM}"
-      end
-      resource "legacy-tui-shim" do
-        url "${BASE_URL}/deepseek-tui-macos-arm64", using: :nounzip
-        sha256 "${SHA_LEG_TUI_MACOS_ARM}"
-      end
     else
       url "${BASE_URL}/codewhale-macos-x64", using: :nounzip
       sha256 "${SHA_COD_MACOS_X64}"
@@ -93,14 +76,6 @@ class DeepseekTui < Formula
         url "${BASE_URL}/codewhale-tui-macos-x64", using: :nounzip
         sha256 "${SHA_TUI_MACOS_X64}"
       end
-      resource "legacy-shim" do
-        url "${BASE_URL}/deepseek-macos-x64", using: :nounzip
-        sha256 "${SHA_LEG_MACOS_X64}"
-      end
-      resource "legacy-tui-shim" do
-        url "${BASE_URL}/deepseek-tui-macos-x64", using: :nounzip
-        sha256 "${SHA_LEG_TUI_MACOS_X64}"
-      end
     end
   end
 
@@ -112,14 +87,6 @@ class DeepseekTui < Formula
         url "${BASE_URL}/codewhale-tui-linux-arm64", using: :nounzip
         sha256 "${SHA_TUI_LINUX_ARM}"
       end
-      resource "legacy-shim" do
-        url "${BASE_URL}/deepseek-linux-arm64", using: :nounzip
-        sha256 "${SHA_LEG_LINUX_ARM}"
-      end
-      resource "legacy-tui-shim" do
-        url "${BASE_URL}/deepseek-tui-linux-arm64", using: :nounzip
-        sha256 "${SHA_LEG_TUI_LINUX_ARM}"
-      end
     else
       url "${BASE_URL}/codewhale-linux-x64", using: :nounzip
       sha256 "${SHA_COD_LINUX_X64}"
@@ -127,22 +94,12 @@ class DeepseekTui < Formula
         url "${BASE_URL}/codewhale-tui-linux-x64", using: :nounzip
         sha256 "${SHA_TUI_LINUX_X64}"
       end
-      resource "legacy-shim" do
-        url "${BASE_URL}/deepseek-linux-x64", using: :nounzip
-        sha256 "${SHA_LEG_LINUX_X64}"
-      end
-      resource "legacy-tui-shim" do
-        url "${BASE_URL}/deepseek-tui-linux-x64", using: :nounzip
-        sha256 "${SHA_LEG_TUI_LINUX_X64}"
-      end
     end
   end
 
   def install
     bin.install Dir["*"].first => "codewhale"
     resource("tui").stage { bin.install Dir["*"].first => "codewhale-tui" }
-    resource("legacy-shim").stage { bin.install Dir["*"].first => "deepseek" }
-    resource("legacy-tui-shim").stage { bin.install Dir["*"].first => "deepseek-tui" }
   end
 
   test do
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index 2e1fe653..28302a20 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -159,48 +159,6 @@ jobs:
             target: x86_64-pc-windows-msvc
             binary: codewhale-tui.exe
             artifact_name: codewhale-tui-windows-x64.exe
-          # --- deepseek (legacy dispatcher shim; compatibility-only) ---
-          - os: ubuntu-latest
-            target: x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu
-            binary: deepseek
-            artifact_name: deepseek-linux-x64
-          - os: ubuntu-latest
-            target: aarch64-unknown-linux-gnu
-            binary: deepseek
-            artifact_name: deepseek-linux-arm64
-          - os: macos-latest
-            target: x86_64-apple-darwin
-            binary: deepseek
-            artifact_name: deepseek-macos-x64
-          - os: macos-latest
-            target: aarch64-apple-darwin
-            binary: deepseek
-            artifact_name: deepseek-macos-arm64
-          - os: windows-latest
-            target: x86_64-pc-windows-msvc
-            binary: deepseek.exe
-            artifact_name: deepseek-windows-x64.exe
-          # --- deepseek-tui (legacy TUI shim; compatibility-only) ---
-          - os: ubuntu-latest
-            target: x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu
-            binary: deepseek-tui
-            artifact_name: deepseek-tui-linux-x64
-          - os: ubuntu-latest
-            target: aarch64-unknown-linux-gnu
-            binary: deepseek-tui
-            artifact_name: deepseek-tui-linux-arm64
-          - os: macos-latest
-            target: x86_64-apple-darwin
-            binary: deepseek-tui
-            artifact_name: deepseek-tui-macos-x64
-          - os: macos-latest
-            target: aarch64-apple-darwin
-            binary: deepseek-tui
-            artifact_name: deepseek-tui-macos-arm64
-          - os: windows-latest
-            target: x86_64-pc-windows-msvc
-            binary: deepseek-tui.exe
-            artifact_name: deepseek-tui-windows-x64.exe
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
@@ -504,8 +462,6 @@ jobs:
       - uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
         with:
           path: artifacts
-          # Match both the canonical `codewhale*` artifacts and the legacy
-          # `deepseek*` shim artifacts that ship for the transition release.
           pattern: '*'
       - name: Generate Windows npm launcher asset
         shell: bash
@@ -537,11 +493,6 @@ jobs:
             base="$(basename "${file}")"
             printf '%s  %s\n' "${hash}" "${base}" >> "${manifest}"
           done < <(find artifacts -type f ! -path 'artifacts/checksums/*' -print0 | sort -z)
-          # Legacy alias manifest so v0.8.40 `deepseek update` clients can
-          # still find a manifest by their hardcoded name. Same content as the
-          # canonical manifest; retire it only with an explicit release-infra
-          # cutover that also removes the legacy shim artifacts.
-          cp "${manifest}" "artifacts/checksums/deepseek-artifacts-sha256.txt"
           cat "${manifest}"
       - uses: softprops/action-gh-release@v1
         with:
@@ -632,8 +583,6 @@ jobs:
             shasum -a 256 -c codewhale-artifacts-sha256.txt
             ```
 
-            The legacy `deepseek-artifacts-sha256.txt` is also attached for backward compatibility and contains the same hashes as the canonical manifest.
-
             ## Contributors
 
             Thanks to @sximelon, @cyq1017, @Artenx, @LHqweasd, @wywsoor,
@@ -679,13 +628,13 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           gh release download ${{ needs.resolve.outputs.tag }} \
             --repo ${{ github.repository }} \
-            --pattern 'deepseek-artifacts-sha256.txt' \
+            --pattern 'codewhale-artifacts-sha256.txt' \
             --dir /tmp
       - name: Update Homebrew tap
         if: steps.homebrew-token.outputs.available == 'true'
         env:
           TAG: ${{ needs.resolve.outputs.tag }}
-          MANIFEST: /tmp/deepseek-artifacts-sha256.txt
+          MANIFEST: /tmp/codewhale-artifacts-sha256.txt
           TAP_REPO: Hmbown/homebrew-deepseek-tui
           TOKEN: ${{ secrets.HOMEBREW_TAP_PAT || secrets.RELEASE_TAG_PAT }}
         run: bash .github/scripts/update-homebrew-tap.sh
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 88352df9..e5998cad 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.9.0] - 2026-06-07
+
 ### Added
 
 - Added `/restore list [N]` so users can inspect more side-git rollback
@@ -233,6 +235,16 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ### Changed
 
+- Removed the deprecated `deepseek` and `deepseek-tui` binary shims from the
+  v0.9.0 Cargo crates and GitHub release artifact matrix. The canonical
+  `codewhale`, `codew`, and `codewhale-tui` entry points remain, the private
+  deprecated `npm/deepseek-tui` notice package stays unpublished, and DeepSeek
+  provider/model/env/config compatibility remains first-class.
+- Command-adjacent config persistence and auto model routing now live in
+  neutral TUI modules instead of command-owned files, reducing command-boundary
+  coupling while preserving current `/config`, `/model`, UI, runtime, and
+  sub-agent behavior (#2871). Thanks @aboimpinto for landing this first staged
+  command-boundary layer from the broader #2851/#2791 design direction.
 - `/config` now reports the canonical `~/.codewhale/settings.toml` path for TUI
   settings while still reading legacy DeepSeek-branded settings fallbacks and
   migrating them into the CodeWhale home on load.
@@ -407,6 +419,8 @@ HarmonyOS/OpenHarmony port and MatePad Edge validation trail (#2634),
 #2867), **@reidliu41** for the hotbar action-registry foundation (#2866), and
 **@ljm3790865** for the multi-tab core/persistence foundation and broader
 collaboration direction (#2864, #2753),
+**@aboimpinto** for the direct command-support boundary cleanup in #2871 and
+the broader #2851/#2791 command-layer design direction,
 **@idling11** for the PlanArtifact direction in Plan mode (#2733), the dense
 tool-call transcript collapse/sidebar detail direction (#2738, #2734, #2692,
 #2694), and the HarnessPosture config model for provider/model posture (#2741,
@@ -5836,7 +5850,8 @@ Welcome — and thank you.
 - Hooks system and config profiles
 - Example skills and launch assets
 
-[Unreleased]: https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/compare/v0.8.53...HEAD
+[Unreleased]: https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/compare/v0.9.0...HEAD
+[0.9.0]: https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/compare/v0.8.53...v0.9.0
 [0.8.53]: https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/compare/v0.8.52...v0.8.53
 [0.8.52]: https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/compare/v0.8.51...v0.8.52
 [0.8.51]: https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/compare/v0.8.50...v0.8.51
diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index f24db582..f3b55c66 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -770,7 +770,7 @@ checksum = "e9b18233253483ce2f65329a24072ec414db782531bdbb7d0bbc4bd2ce6b7e21"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "codewhale-agent"
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 dependencies = [
  "codewhale-config",
  "serde",
@@ -778,7 +778,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "codewhale-app-server"
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "axum",
@@ -804,7 +804,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "codewhale-cli"
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "chrono",
@@ -832,7 +832,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "codewhale-config"
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "codewhale-execpolicy",
@@ -846,7 +846,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "codewhale-core"
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "chrono",
@@ -864,7 +864,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "codewhale-execpolicy"
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "codewhale-protocol",
@@ -873,7 +873,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "codewhale-hooks"
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "async-trait",
@@ -887,7 +887,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "codewhale-mcp"
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "serde",
@@ -896,7 +896,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "codewhale-protocol"
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 dependencies = [
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
@@ -904,7 +904,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "codewhale-release"
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "reqwest",
@@ -916,7 +916,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "codewhale-secrets"
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 dependencies = [
  "dirs",
  "keyring",
@@ -929,7 +929,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "codewhale-state"
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "chrono",
@@ -941,7 +941,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "codewhale-tools"
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "async-trait",
@@ -955,7 +955,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "codewhale-tui"
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "arboard",
@@ -1026,11 +1026,11 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "codewhale-tui-core"
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "codewhale-whaleflow"
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "serde",
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 8efbeb9a..7af93959 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ default-members = ["crates/cli", "crates/app-server", "crates/tui"]
 resolver = "2"
 
 [workspace.package]
-version = "0.8.53"
+version = "0.9.0"
 edition = "2024"
 # Rust 1.88 stabilized `let_chains` in `if`/`while` conditions, which the
 # codebase relies on extensively. Cargo enforces this so users on older
diff --git a/crates/agent/Cargo.toml b/crates/agent/Cargo.toml
index 5e563534..0b4c3b93 100644
--- a/crates/agent/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/agent/Cargo.toml
@@ -7,5 +7,5 @@ repository.workspace = true
 description = "Model/provider registry and fallback strategy for DeepSeek workspace architecture"
 
 [dependencies]
-codewhale-config = { path = "../config", version = "0.8.53" }
+codewhale-config = { path = "../config", version = "0.9.0" }
 serde.workspace = true
diff --git a/crates/app-server/Cargo.toml b/crates/app-server/Cargo.toml
index 39e37022..f420c36d 100644
--- a/crates/app-server/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/app-server/Cargo.toml
@@ -10,15 +10,15 @@ description = "Codex-style app-server transport for DeepSeek workspace architect
 anyhow.workspace = true
 axum.workspace = true
 clap.workspace = true
-codewhale-agent = { path = "../agent", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-config = { path = "../config", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-core = { path = "../core", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-execpolicy = { path = "../execpolicy", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-hooks = { path = "../hooks", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-mcp = { path = "../mcp", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-protocol = { path = "../protocol", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-state = { path = "../state", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-tools = { path = "../tools", version = "0.8.53" }
+codewhale-agent = { path = "../agent", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-config = { path = "../config", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-core = { path = "../core", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-execpolicy = { path = "../execpolicy", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-hooks = { path = "../hooks", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-mcp = { path = "../mcp", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-protocol = { path = "../protocol", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-state = { path = "../state", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-tools = { path = "../tools", version = "0.9.0" }
 serde.workspace = true
 serde_json.workspace = true
 rustls.workspace = true
diff --git a/crates/cli/Cargo.toml b/crates/cli/Cargo.toml
index f567b79b..0c33cc84 100644
--- a/crates/cli/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/cli/Cargo.toml
@@ -15,24 +15,18 @@ path = "src/main.rs"
 name = "codew"
 path = "src/bin/codew_legacy_shim.rs"
 
-# Legacy alias — forwards to `codewhale` and prints a deprecation notice.
-# Will be removed in v0.9.0.
-[[bin]]
-name = "deepseek"
-path = "src/bin/deepseek_legacy_shim.rs"
-
 [dependencies]
 anyhow.workspace = true
 clap.workspace = true
 clap_complete.workspace = true
-codewhale-agent = { path = "../agent", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-app-server = { path = "../app-server", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-config = { path = "../config", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-execpolicy = { path = "../execpolicy", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-mcp = { path = "../mcp", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-release = { path = "../release", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-secrets = { path = "../secrets", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-state = { path = "../state", version = "0.8.53" }
+codewhale-agent = { path = "../agent", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-app-server = { path = "../app-server", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-config = { path = "../config", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-execpolicy = { path = "../execpolicy", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-mcp = { path = "../mcp", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-release = { path = "../release", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-secrets = { path = "../secrets", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-state = { path = "../state", version = "0.9.0" }
 chrono.workspace = true
 dirs.workspace = true
 serde.workspace = true
diff --git a/crates/cli/src/bin/deepseek_legacy_shim.rs b/crates/cli/src/bin/deepseek_legacy_shim.rs
deleted file mode 100644
index abd00896..00000000
--- a/crates/cli/src/bin/deepseek_legacy_shim.rs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,61 +0,0 @@
-//! Legacy `deepseek` alias.
-//!
-//! Forwards argv to the `codewhale` dispatcher and prints a one-line
-//! deprecation notice to stderr on each invocation. This binary exists
-//! for one release cycle to give existing installs a smooth path to the
-//! new name; it will be removed in v0.9.0. See `docs/REBRAND.md` for the
-//! full migration story.
-
-use std::env;
-use std::process::Command;
-
-fn main() {
-    eprintln!(
-        "warning: `deepseek` is deprecated; run `codewhale` instead. \
-         This alias will be removed in v0.9.0."
-    );
-    let args: Vec<String> = env::args_os()
-        .skip(1)
-        .map(|a| a.to_string_lossy().into_owned())
-        .collect();
-
-    let status = match spawn_codewhale(&args) {
-        Ok(s) => s,
-        Err(e) => {
-            eprintln!(
-                "error: failed to spawn `codewhale`: {e}. Is it on PATH? \
-                 Install with `cargo install codewhale-cli` or via npm/Homebrew."
-            );
-            std::process::exit(127);
-        }
-    };
-    std::process::exit(status.code().unwrap_or(1));
-}
-
-fn spawn_codewhale(args: &[String]) -> std::io::Result<std::process::ExitStatus> {
-    // Try PATH first.
-    match Command::new("codewhale").args(args).status() {
-        Ok(s) => return Ok(s),
-        Err(e) if e.kind() == std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound => {}
-        Err(e) => return Err(e),
-    }
-
-    // On Windows, after an update the sibling `codewhale.exe` may be in the
-    // same directory as this shim but not on PATH (#2006).
-    #[cfg(windows)]
-    {
-        if let Ok(exe_path) = env::current_exe()
-            && let Some(dir) = exe_path.parent()
-        {
-            let sibling = dir.join("codewhale.exe");
-            if sibling.is_file() {
-                return Command::new(sibling).args(args).status();
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
-    Err(std::io::Error::new(
-        std::io::ErrorKind::NotFound,
-        "codewhale not found on PATH or in sibling directory",
-    ))
-}
diff --git a/crates/config/Cargo.toml b/crates/config/Cargo.toml
index 034f988f..5e99e8b5 100644
--- a/crates/config/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/config/Cargo.toml
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ description = "Config schema and precedence model for DeepSeek workspace archite
 
 [dependencies]
 anyhow.workspace = true
-codewhale-execpolicy = { path = "../execpolicy", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-secrets = { path = "../secrets", version = "0.8.53" }
+codewhale-execpolicy = { path = "../execpolicy", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-secrets = { path = "../secrets", version = "0.9.0" }
 dirs.workspace = true
 serde.workspace = true
 serde_json.workspace = true
diff --git a/crates/core/Cargo.toml b/crates/core/Cargo.toml
index b8a5cb56..26c9400c 100644
--- a/crates/core/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/core/Cargo.toml
@@ -9,13 +9,13 @@ description = "Core runtime boundaries for DeepSeek workspace architecture"
 [dependencies]
 anyhow.workspace = true
 chrono.workspace = true
-codewhale-agent = { path = "../agent", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-config = { path = "../config", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-execpolicy = { path = "../execpolicy", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-hooks = { path = "../hooks", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-mcp = { path = "../mcp", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-protocol = { path = "../protocol", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-state = { path = "../state", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-tools = { path = "../tools", version = "0.8.53" }
+codewhale-agent = { path = "../agent", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-config = { path = "../config", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-execpolicy = { path = "../execpolicy", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-hooks = { path = "../hooks", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-mcp = { path = "../mcp", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-protocol = { path = "../protocol", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-state = { path = "../state", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-tools = { path = "../tools", version = "0.9.0" }
 serde_json.workspace = true
 uuid.workspace = true
diff --git a/crates/execpolicy/Cargo.toml b/crates/execpolicy/Cargo.toml
index dfe0d1bb..8049523a 100644
--- a/crates/execpolicy/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/execpolicy/Cargo.toml
@@ -8,5 +8,5 @@ description = "Execution policy and approval model parity for DeepSeek workspace
 
 [dependencies]
 anyhow.workspace = true
-codewhale-protocol = { path = "../protocol", version = "0.8.53" }
+codewhale-protocol = { path = "../protocol", version = "0.9.0" }
 serde.workspace = true
diff --git a/crates/hooks/Cargo.toml b/crates/hooks/Cargo.toml
index 3083a3b3..c0e47730 100644
--- a/crates/hooks/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/hooks/Cargo.toml
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ description = "Hook dispatch and notifications parity for DeepSeek workspace arc
 anyhow.workspace = true
 async-trait.workspace = true
 chrono.workspace = true
-codewhale-protocol = { path = "../protocol", version = "0.8.53" }
+codewhale-protocol = { path = "../protocol", version = "0.9.0" }
 reqwest.workspace = true
 serde.workspace = true
 serde_json.workspace = true
diff --git a/crates/tools/Cargo.toml b/crates/tools/Cargo.toml
index fc65af8d..02dacc73 100644
--- a/crates/tools/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/tools/Cargo.toml
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ description = "Tool invocation lifecycle, schema validation, and scheduler paral
 [dependencies]
 anyhow.workspace = true
 async-trait.workspace = true
-codewhale-protocol = { path = "../protocol", version = "0.8.53" }
+codewhale-protocol = { path = "../protocol", version = "0.9.0" }
 serde.workspace = true
 serde_json.workspace = true
 thiserror.workspace = true
diff --git a/crates/tui/CHANGELOG.md b/crates/tui/CHANGELOG.md
index 88352df9..e5998cad 100644
--- a/crates/tui/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/crates/tui/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.9.0] - 2026-06-07
+
 ### Added
 
 - Added `/restore list [N]` so users can inspect more side-git rollback
@@ -233,6 +235,16 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ### Changed
 
+- Removed the deprecated `deepseek` and `deepseek-tui` binary shims from the
+  v0.9.0 Cargo crates and GitHub release artifact matrix. The canonical
+  `codewhale`, `codew`, and `codewhale-tui` entry points remain, the private
+  deprecated `npm/deepseek-tui` notice package stays unpublished, and DeepSeek
+  provider/model/env/config compatibility remains first-class.
+- Command-adjacent config persistence and auto model routing now live in
+  neutral TUI modules instead of command-owned files, reducing command-boundary
+  coupling while preserving current `/config`, `/model`, UI, runtime, and
+  sub-agent behavior (#2871). Thanks @aboimpinto for landing this first staged
+  command-boundary layer from the broader #2851/#2791 design direction.
 - `/config` now reports the canonical `~/.codewhale/settings.toml` path for TUI
   settings while still reading legacy DeepSeek-branded settings fallbacks and
   migrating them into the CodeWhale home on load.
@@ -407,6 +419,8 @@ HarmonyOS/OpenHarmony port and MatePad Edge validation trail (#2634),
 #2867), **@reidliu41** for the hotbar action-registry foundation (#2866), and
 **@ljm3790865** for the multi-tab core/persistence foundation and broader
 collaboration direction (#2864, #2753),
+**@aboimpinto** for the direct command-support boundary cleanup in #2871 and
+the broader #2851/#2791 command-layer design direction,
 **@idling11** for the PlanArtifact direction in Plan mode (#2733), the dense
 tool-call transcript collapse/sidebar detail direction (#2738, #2734, #2692,
 #2694), and the HarnessPosture config model for provider/model posture (#2741,
@@ -5836,7 +5850,8 @@ Welcome — and thank you.
 - Hooks system and config profiles
 - Example skills and launch assets
 
-[Unreleased]: https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/compare/v0.8.53...HEAD
+[Unreleased]: https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/compare/v0.9.0...HEAD
+[0.9.0]: https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/compare/v0.8.53...v0.9.0
 [0.8.53]: https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/compare/v0.8.52...v0.8.53
 [0.8.52]: https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/compare/v0.8.51...v0.8.52
 [0.8.51]: https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/compare/v0.8.50...v0.8.51
diff --git a/crates/tui/Cargo.toml b/crates/tui/Cargo.toml
index 9fca03ca..c4efe10e 100644
--- a/crates/tui/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/tui/Cargo.toml
@@ -18,19 +18,13 @@ toml = ["schemaui/toml"]
 name = "codewhale-tui"
 path = "src/main.rs"
 
-# Legacy alias — forwards to `codewhale-tui` and prints a deprecation
-# notice. Will be removed in v0.9.0.
-[[bin]]
-name = "deepseek-tui"
-path = "src/bin/deepseek_tui_legacy_shim.rs"
-
 [dependencies]
 anyhow = "1.0.100"
-codewhale-config = { path = "../config", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-protocol = { path = "../protocol", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-release = { path = "../release", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-secrets = { path = "../secrets", version = "0.8.53" }
-codewhale-tools = { path = "../tools", version = "0.8.53" }
+codewhale-config = { path = "../config", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-protocol = { path = "../protocol", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-release = { path = "../release", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-secrets = { path = "../secrets", version = "0.9.0" }
+codewhale-tools = { path = "../tools", version = "0.9.0" }
 schemaui = { version = "0.12.0", default-features = false, optional = true }
 async-stream = "0.3.6"
 async-trait = "0.1"
diff --git a/crates/tui/build.rs b/crates/tui/build.rs
index 722139a9..111bbc5c 100644
--- a/crates/tui/build.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/build.rs
@@ -121,11 +121,9 @@ fn configure_windows_stack() {
     match std::env::var("CARGO_CFG_TARGET_ENV").as_deref() {
         Ok("msvc") => {
             println!("cargo:rustc-link-arg-bin=codewhale-tui=/STACK:8388608");
-            println!("cargo:rustc-link-arg-bin=deepseek-tui=/STACK:8388608");
         }
         Ok("gnu") => {
             println!("cargo:rustc-link-arg-bin=codewhale-tui=-Wl,--stack,8388608");
-            println!("cargo:rustc-link-arg-bin=deepseek-tui=-Wl,--stack,8388608");
         }
         _ => {}
     }
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/bin/deepseek_tui_legacy_shim.rs b/crates/tui/src/bin/deepseek_tui_legacy_shim.rs
deleted file mode 100644
index 2e36db97..00000000
--- a/crates/tui/src/bin/deepseek_tui_legacy_shim.rs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,32 +0,0 @@
-//! Legacy `deepseek-tui` alias.
-//!
-//! Forwards argv to the `codewhale-tui` runtime and prints a one-line
-//! deprecation notice to stderr on each invocation. This binary exists
-//! for one release cycle to give existing installs a smooth path to the
-//! new name; it will be removed in v0.9.0. See `docs/REBRAND.md` for the
-//! full migration story.
-
-use std::env;
-use std::process::Command;
-
-fn main() {
-    eprintln!(
-        "warning: `deepseek-tui` is deprecated; run `codewhale-tui` (or `codewhale`) instead. \
-         This alias will be removed in v0.9.0."
-    );
-    let args: Vec<String> = env::args_os()
-        .skip(1)
-        .map(|a| a.to_string_lossy().into_owned())
-        .collect();
-    let status = match Command::new("codewhale-tui").args(&args).status() {
-        Ok(s) => s,
-        Err(e) => {
-            eprintln!(
-                "error: failed to spawn `codewhale-tui`: {e}. Is it on PATH? \
-                 Install with `cargo install codewhale-tui` or via npm/Homebrew."
-            );
-            std::process::exit(127);
-        }
-    };
-    std::process::exit(status.code().unwrap_or(1));
-}
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/prompts.rs b/crates/tui/src/prompts.rs
index 1e8136b9..07c58793 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/prompts.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/prompts.rs
@@ -2739,7 +2739,12 @@ mod tests {
         // Working-set metadata is now injected into the latest user message
         // per turn. The legacy argument remains for call-site compatibility
         // but must not reintroduce volatile bytes into the system prompt.
+        let _env_guard = crate::test_support::lock_test_env();
         let tmp = tempdir().expect("tempdir");
+        let home_tmp = tempdir().expect("home tempdir");
+        let _home = EnvVarGuard::set("HOME", home_tmp.path().as_os_str());
+        let _userprofile = EnvVarGuard::set("USERPROFILE", home_tmp.path().as_os_str());
+        let _skills_dir = EnvVarGuard::remove("DEEPSEEK_SKILLS_DIR");
         let workspace = tmp.path();
         let summary = "## Repo Working Set\nWorkspace: /tmp/x\n";
 
@@ -2770,7 +2775,12 @@ mod tests {
         // rendered prompt must produce identical bytes. The relay block
         // lands below the static boundary in
         // `system_prompt_for_mode_with_context_and_skills`.
+        let _env_guard = crate::test_support::lock_test_env();
         let tmp = tempdir().expect("tempdir");
+        let home_tmp = tempdir().expect("home tempdir");
+        let _home = EnvVarGuard::set("HOME", home_tmp.path().as_os_str());
+        let _userprofile = EnvVarGuard::set("USERPROFILE", home_tmp.path().as_os_str());
+        let _skills_dir = EnvVarGuard::remove("DEEPSEEK_SKILLS_DIR");
         let workspace = tmp.path();
         let handoff_dir = workspace.join(".deepseek");
         std::fs::create_dir_all(&handoff_dir).unwrap();
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/benches.rs b/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/benches.rs
index 3c63650f..103ef60a 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/benches.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/benches.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 //! - Persistence save/load (startup + shutdown overhead)
 //! - Group color rendering (per-frame work in tab bar)
 
-#![allow(unused_imports)]
+#![allow(unused_imports, clippy::module_inception, clippy::print_stderr)]
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod benches {
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/delegator.rs b/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/delegator.rs
index 9b88557b..10df3b9d 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/delegator.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/delegator.rs
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         let results_to = delegator.results_for_tab(to);
         assert_eq!(results_to.len(), 1);
-        assert_eq!(results_to[0].was_successful, true);
+        assert!(results_to[0].was_successful);
     }
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/group.rs b/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/group.rs
index 14095dce..e61fb1d0 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/group.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/group.rs
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         mgr.delete_group(&g1);
         assert!(mgr.group_of(tab1).is_none());
-        assert!(mgr.tab_to_group.get(&tab1).is_none());
+        assert!(!mgr.tab_to_group.contains_key(&tab1));
     }
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/key_e2e.rs b/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/key_e2e.rs
index dbd9098d..d80d4f9c 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/key_e2e.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/key_e2e.rs
@@ -212,11 +212,11 @@ mod tests {
         manager.switch_to_by_id(to);
 
         // Press Ctrl+Shift+D 4 times
-        assert_eq!(simulate_process_delegation(&mut manager).is_some(), true);
-        assert_eq!(simulate_process_delegation(&mut manager).is_some(), true);
-        assert_eq!(simulate_process_delegation(&mut manager).is_some(), true);
+        assert!(simulate_process_delegation(&mut manager).is_some());
+        assert!(simulate_process_delegation(&mut manager).is_some());
+        assert!(simulate_process_delegation(&mut manager).is_some());
         // 4th should be the last task
-        assert_eq!(simulate_process_delegation(&mut manager).is_some(), true);
+        assert!(simulate_process_delegation(&mut manager).is_some());
         // 5th should be none
         assert_eq!(simulate_process_delegation(&mut manager), None);
     }
diff --git a/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/mention.rs b/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/mention.rs
index eadfb2d4..733305a7 100644
--- a/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/mention.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/src/tui/tab/mention.rs
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn test_resolve_tab_mention() {
         // Tab IDs in the visual order they appear in the tab bar.
-        let tab_ids = vec![100, 50, 200];
+        let tab_ids = [100, 50, 200];
         // Tab 1 = first in visual order (100)
         assert_eq!(resolve_tab_mention(1, tab_ids.iter()), Some(100));
         // Tab 2 = second in visual order (50)
diff --git a/crates/tui/tests/support/qa_harness/harness.rs b/crates/tui/tests/support/qa_harness/harness.rs
index 3ebda0fa..a32b4c7b 100644
--- a/crates/tui/tests/support/qa_harness/harness.rs
+++ b/crates/tui/tests/support/qa_harness/harness.rs
@@ -226,12 +226,6 @@ impl Harness {
         {
             return PathBuf::from(path);
         }
-        // Legacy fallback for callers still referencing the old bin name.
-        if name == "codewhale-tui"
-            && let Some(path) = option_env!("CARGO_BIN_EXE_deepseek-tui")
-        {
-            return PathBuf::from(path);
-        }
         panic!("env {key} not set; is the binary declared in this crate?")
     }
 
diff --git a/docs/REBRAND.md b/docs/REBRAND.md
index f3b25a0e..71360955 100644
--- a/docs/REBRAND.md
+++ b/docs/REBRAND.md
@@ -69,10 +69,10 @@ Anything that targets the DeepSeek provider API stays exactly as it was:
   Docker, or direct downloads.
 - **Docker image**: `ghcr.io/hmbown/codewhale`.
 
-## Deprecation shims (through v0.8.x)
+## Deprecation shims (removed in v0.9.0)
 
 To keep existing shell aliases, scripts, and CI working through the rename,
-v0.8.41 and later v0.8.x releases ship **deprecation shims**:
+v0.8.41 and later v0.8.x releases shipped **deprecation shims**:
 
 - A `deepseek` binary that prints a one-line warning to stderr and forwards
   argv to `codewhale`.
@@ -80,7 +80,9 @@ v0.8.41 and later v0.8.x releases ship **deprecation shims**:
 - The legacy `deepseek-tui` npm package is deprecated and no longer receives
   new releases. Install the `codewhale` npm package instead.
 
-These shims will be removed in **v0.9.0**. Please migrate before then.
+These binary shims are removed in **v0.9.0**. DeepSeek provider support, model
+IDs, `DEEPSEEK_*` environment variables, and legacy `~/.deepseek/` state
+fallbacks remain supported.
 
 ## Migrating in practice
 
@@ -114,15 +116,12 @@ downloads until the formula and tap repo are renamed.
 
 ### Manual / GitHub Releases
 
-`v0.8.41` Releases attach **both** the canonical `codewhale-*` /
-`codewhale-tui-*` assets and the legacy `deepseek-*` / `deepseek-tui-*`
-shim assets. Existing `deepseek update` invocations on v0.8.40 keep working;
-they land you on the deprecation shim, which then prompts the install of
-`codewhale`.
-
-A second checksum manifest, `deepseek-artifacts-sha256.txt`, is attached as
-an alias of `codewhale-artifacts-sha256.txt` so v0.8.40's hardcoded lookup
-still verifies.
+`v0.8.41` through `v0.8.x` Releases attached both the canonical
+`codewhale-*` / `codewhale-tui-*` assets and compatibility-only
+`deepseek-*` / `deepseek-tui-*` shim assets. Starting in v0.9.0, Releases attach
+only the canonical `codewhale-*` / `codewhale-tui-*` assets and the canonical
+`codewhale-artifacts-sha256.txt` checksum manifest. Install or update through
+`codewhale` before moving to v0.9.0.
 
 ### Sessions, skills, and manual workspaces
 
diff --git a/npm/codewhale/package.json b/npm/codewhale/package.json
index a94e99a2..f8222ee0 100644
--- a/npm/codewhale/package.json
+++ b/npm/codewhale/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "codewhale",
-  "version": "0.8.53",
-  "codewhaleBinaryVersion": "0.8.53",
+  "version": "0.9.0",
+  "codewhaleBinaryVersion": "0.9.0",
   "description": "Install and run CodeWhale, the agentic terminal for DeepSeek and other OpenAI-compatible coding models.",
   "author": "Hmbown",
   "license": "MIT",
diff --git a/npm/deepseek-tui/README.md b/npm/deepseek-tui/README.md
index 898ae530..8259848e 100644
--- a/npm/deepseek-tui/README.md
+++ b/npm/deepseek-tui/README.md
@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@ npm install -g codewhale
 ```
 
 This legacy npm package is deprecated and receives no further releases.
-`codewhale` ships the canonical `codewhale` and `codewhale-tui` binaries, plus
-compatibility-only deprecation shims under the old `deepseek` /
-`deepseek-tui` binary names for v0.8.x.
+`codewhale` ships the canonical `codewhale`, `codew`, and `codewhale-tui`
+binaries. Compatibility-only deprecation shims under the old `deepseek` /
+`deepseek-tui` binary names were available in v0.8.x and are removed in v0.9.0.
 
 See [docs/REBRAND.md](https://github.com/Hmbown/CodeWhale/blob/main/docs/REBRAND.md)
 for the full migration story.