diff --git a/agent/auxiliary_client.py b/agent/auxiliary_client.py
index 264bab3f4..04afe4c78 100644
--- a/agent/auxiliary_client.py
+++ b/agent/auxiliary_client.py
@@ -784,3 +784,253 @@ def auxiliary_max_tokens_param(value: int) -> dict:
             and "api.openai.com" in custom_base.lower()):
         return {"max_completion_tokens": value}
     return {"max_tokens": value}
+
+
+# ── Centralized LLM Call API ────────────────────────────────────────────────
+#
+# call_llm() and async_call_llm() own the full request lifecycle:
+#   1. Resolve provider + model from task config (or explicit args)
+#   2. Get or create a cached client for that provider
+#   3. Format request args for the provider + model (max_tokens handling, etc.)
+#   4. Make the API call
+#   5. Return the response
+#
+# Every auxiliary LLM consumer should use these instead of manually
+# constructing clients and calling .chat.completions.create().
+
+# Client cache: (provider, async_mode) -> (client, default_model)
+_client_cache: Dict[tuple, tuple] = {}
+
+
+def _get_cached_client(
+    provider: str, model: str = None, async_mode: bool = False,
+) -> Tuple[Optional[Any], Optional[str]]:
+    """Get or create a cached client for the given provider."""
+    cache_key = (provider, async_mode)
+    if cache_key in _client_cache:
+        cached_client, cached_default = _client_cache[cache_key]
+        return cached_client, model or cached_default
+    client, default_model = resolve_provider_client(provider, model, async_mode)
+    if client is not None:
+        _client_cache[cache_key] = (client, default_model)
+    return client, model or default_model
+
+
+def _resolve_task_provider_model(
+    task: str = None,
+    provider: str = None,
+    model: str = None,
+) -> Tuple[str, Optional[str]]:
+    """Determine provider + model for a call.
+
+    Priority:
+      1. Explicit provider/model args (always win)
+      2. Env var overrides (AUXILIARY_{TASK}_PROVIDER, etc.)
+      3. Config file (auxiliary.{task}.provider/model or compression.*)
+      4. "auto" (full auto-detection chain)
+
+    Returns (provider, model) where model may be None (use provider default).
+    """
+    if provider:
+        return provider, model
+
+    if task:
+        # Check env var overrides first
+        env_provider = _get_auxiliary_provider(task)
+        if env_provider != "auto":
+            # Check for env var model override too
+            env_model = None
+            for prefix in ("AUXILIARY_", "CONTEXT_"):
+                val = os.getenv(f"{prefix}{task.upper()}_MODEL", "").strip()
+                if val:
+                    env_model = val
+                    break
+            return env_provider, model or env_model
+
+        # Read from config file
+        try:
+            from hermes_cli.config import load_config
+            config = load_config()
+        except ImportError:
+            return "auto", model
+
+        # Check auxiliary.{task} section
+        aux = config.get("auxiliary", {})
+        task_config = aux.get(task, {})
+        cfg_provider = task_config.get("provider", "").strip() or None
+        cfg_model = task_config.get("model", "").strip() or None
+
+        # Backwards compat: compression section has its own keys
+        if task == "compression" and not cfg_provider:
+            comp = config.get("compression", {})
+            cfg_provider = comp.get("summary_provider", "").strip() or None
+            cfg_model = cfg_model or comp.get("summary_model", "").strip() or None
+
+        if cfg_provider and cfg_provider != "auto":
+            return cfg_provider, model or cfg_model
+        return "auto", model or cfg_model
+
+    return "auto", model
+
+
+def _build_call_kwargs(
+    provider: str,
+    model: str,
+    messages: list,
+    temperature: Optional[float] = None,
+    max_tokens: Optional[int] = None,
+    tools: Optional[list] = None,
+    timeout: float = 30.0,
+    extra_body: Optional[dict] = None,
+) -> dict:
+    """Build kwargs for .chat.completions.create() with model/provider adjustments."""
+    kwargs: Dict[str, Any] = {
+        "model": model,
+        "messages": messages,
+        "timeout": timeout,
+    }
+
+    if temperature is not None:
+        kwargs["temperature"] = temperature
+
+    if max_tokens is not None:
+        # Codex adapter handles max_tokens internally; OpenRouter/Nous use max_tokens.
+        # Direct OpenAI api.openai.com with newer models needs max_completion_tokens.
+        if provider == "custom":
+            custom_base = os.getenv("OPENAI_BASE_URL", "")
+            if "api.openai.com" in custom_base.lower():
+                kwargs["max_completion_tokens"] = max_tokens
+            else:
+                kwargs["max_tokens"] = max_tokens
+        else:
+            kwargs["max_tokens"] = max_tokens
+
+    if tools:
+        kwargs["tools"] = tools
+
+    # Provider-specific extra_body
+    merged_extra = dict(extra_body or {})
+    if provider == "nous" or auxiliary_is_nous:
+        merged_extra.setdefault("tags", []).extend(["product=hermes-agent"])
+    if merged_extra:
+        kwargs["extra_body"] = merged_extra
+
+    return kwargs
+
+
+def call_llm(
+    task: str = None,
+    *,
+    provider: str = None,
+    model: str = None,
+    messages: list,
+    temperature: float = None,
+    max_tokens: int = None,
+    tools: list = None,
+    timeout: float = 30.0,
+    extra_body: dict = None,
+) -> Any:
+    """Centralized synchronous LLM call.
+
+    Resolves provider + model (from task config, explicit args, or auto-detect),
+    handles auth, request formatting, and model-specific arg adjustments.
+
+    Args:
+        task: Auxiliary task name ("compression", "vision", "web_extract",
+              "session_search", "skills_hub", "mcp", "flush_memories").
+              Reads provider:model from config/env. Ignored if provider is set.
+        provider: Explicit provider override.
+        model: Explicit model override.
+        messages: Chat messages list.
+        temperature: Sampling temperature (None = provider default).
+        max_tokens: Max output tokens (handles max_tokens vs max_completion_tokens).
+        tools: Tool definitions (for function calling).
+        timeout: Request timeout in seconds.
+        extra_body: Additional request body fields.
+
+    Returns:
+        Response object with .choices[0].message.content
+
+    Raises:
+        RuntimeError: If no provider is configured.
+    """
+    resolved_provider, resolved_model = _resolve_task_provider_model(
+        task, provider, model)
+
+    client, final_model = _get_cached_client(resolved_provider, resolved_model)
+    if client is None:
+        # Fallback: try openrouter
+        if resolved_provider != "openrouter":
+            logger.warning("Provider %s unavailable, falling back to openrouter",
+                           resolved_provider)
+            client, final_model = _get_cached_client(
+                "openrouter", resolved_model or _OPENROUTER_MODEL)
+    if client is None:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"No LLM provider configured for task={task} provider={resolved_provider}. "
+            f"Run: hermes setup")
+
+    kwargs = _build_call_kwargs(
+        resolved_provider, final_model, messages,
+        temperature=temperature, max_tokens=max_tokens,
+        tools=tools, timeout=timeout, extra_body=extra_body)
+
+    # Handle max_tokens vs max_completion_tokens retry
+    try:
+        return client.chat.completions.create(**kwargs)
+    except Exception as first_err:
+        err_str = str(first_err)
+        if "max_tokens" in err_str or "unsupported_parameter" in err_str:
+            kwargs.pop("max_tokens", None)
+            kwargs["max_completion_tokens"] = max_tokens
+            return client.chat.completions.create(**kwargs)
+        raise
+
+
+async def async_call_llm(
+    task: str = None,
+    *,
+    provider: str = None,
+    model: str = None,
+    messages: list,
+    temperature: float = None,
+    max_tokens: int = None,
+    tools: list = None,
+    timeout: float = 30.0,
+    extra_body: dict = None,
+) -> Any:
+    """Centralized asynchronous LLM call.
+
+    Same as call_llm() but async. See call_llm() for full documentation.
+    """
+    resolved_provider, resolved_model = _resolve_task_provider_model(
+        task, provider, model)
+
+    client, final_model = _get_cached_client(
+        resolved_provider, resolved_model, async_mode=True)
+    if client is None:
+        if resolved_provider != "openrouter":
+            logger.warning("Provider %s unavailable, falling back to openrouter",
+                           resolved_provider)
+            client, final_model = _get_cached_client(
+                "openrouter", resolved_model or _OPENROUTER_MODEL,
+                async_mode=True)
+    if client is None:
+        raise RuntimeError(
+            f"No LLM provider configured for task={task} provider={resolved_provider}. "
+            f"Run: hermes setup")
+
+    kwargs = _build_call_kwargs(
+        resolved_provider, final_model, messages,
+        temperature=temperature, max_tokens=max_tokens,
+        tools=tools, timeout=timeout, extra_body=extra_body)
+
+    try:
+        return await client.chat.completions.create(**kwargs)
+    except Exception as first_err:
+        err_str = str(first_err)
+        if "max_tokens" in err_str or "unsupported_parameter" in err_str:
+            kwargs.pop("max_tokens", None)
+            kwargs["max_completion_tokens"] = max_tokens
+            return await client.chat.completions.create(**kwargs)
+        raise
diff --git a/agent/context_compressor.py b/agent/context_compressor.py
index fae483fd8..a0ca0c991 100644
--- a/agent/context_compressor.py
+++ b/agent/context_compressor.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import logging
 import os
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 
-from agent.auxiliary_client import get_text_auxiliary_client
+from agent.auxiliary_client import call_llm
 from agent.model_metadata import (
     get_model_context_length,
     estimate_messages_tokens_rough,
@@ -53,8 +53,7 @@ class ContextCompressor:
         self.last_completion_tokens = 0
         self.last_total_tokens = 0
 
-        self.client, default_model = get_text_auxiliary_client("compression")
-        self.summary_model = summary_model_override or default_model
+        self.summary_model = summary_model_override or ""
 
     def update_from_response(self, usage: Dict[str, Any]):
         """Update tracked token usage from API response."""
@@ -120,73 +119,30 @@ TURNS TO SUMMARIZE:
 
 Write only the summary, starting with "[CONTEXT SUMMARY]:" prefix."""
 
-        # 1. Try the auxiliary model (cheap/fast)
-        if self.client:
-            try:
-                return self._call_summary_model(self.client, self.summary_model, prompt)
-            except Exception as e:
-                logging.warning(f"Failed to generate context summary with auxiliary model: {e}")
-
-        # 2. Fallback: re-try via the centralized provider router.
-        #    This covers all configured providers (Codex OAuth, API-key
-        #    providers, etc.) without ad-hoc env var lookups.
-        from agent.auxiliary_client import resolve_provider_client
-        fallback_providers = ["custom", "openrouter", "nous", "codex"]
-        for fb_provider in fallback_providers:
-            try:
-                fb_client, fb_model = resolve_provider_client(
-                    fb_provider, model=self.model)
-                if fb_client is None:
-                    continue
-                # Don't retry the same client that just failed
-                if (self.client is not None
-                        and hasattr(fb_client, "base_url")
-                        and hasattr(self.client, "base_url")
-                        and str(fb_client.base_url) == str(self.client.base_url)):
-                    continue
-                logger.info("Retrying context summary with fallback provider "
-                            "%s (%s)", fb_provider, fb_model)
-                summary = self._call_summary_model(fb_client, fb_model, prompt)
-                # Promote successful fallback for future compressions
-                self.client = fb_client
-                self.summary_model = fb_model
-                return summary
-            except Exception as fallback_err:
-                logging.warning("Fallback provider %s failed: %s",
-                                fb_provider, fallback_err)
-
-        # 3. All providers failed — return None so the caller drops turns
-        #    without a summary.
-        logging.warning("Context compression: no provider available for "
-                        "summary. Middle turns will be dropped without summary.")
-        return None
-
-    def _call_summary_model(self, client, model: str, prompt: str) -> str:
-        """Make the actual LLM call to generate a summary. Raises on failure."""
-        kwargs = {
-            "model": model,
-            "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": prompt}],
-            "temperature": 0.3,
-            "timeout": 30.0,
-        }
-        # Most providers (OpenRouter, local models) use max_tokens.
-        # Direct OpenAI with newer models (gpt-4o, o-series, gpt-5+)
-        # requires max_completion_tokens instead.
+        # Use the centralized LLM router — handles provider resolution,
+        # auth, and fallback internally.
         try:
-            kwargs["max_tokens"] = self.summary_target_tokens * 2
-            response = client.chat.completions.create(**kwargs)
-        except Exception as first_err:
-            if "max_tokens" in str(first_err) or "unsupported_parameter" in str(first_err):
-                kwargs.pop("max_tokens", None)
-                kwargs["max_completion_tokens"] = self.summary_target_tokens * 2
-                response = client.chat.completions.create(**kwargs)
-            else:
-                raise
-
-        summary = response.choices[0].message.content.strip()
-        if not summary.startswith("[CONTEXT SUMMARY]:"):
-            summary = "[CONTEXT SUMMARY]: " + summary
-        return summary
+            call_kwargs = {
+                "task": "compression",
+                "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": prompt}],
+                "temperature": 0.3,
+                "max_tokens": self.summary_target_tokens * 2,
+                "timeout": 30.0,
+            }
+            if self.summary_model:
+                call_kwargs["model"] = self.summary_model
+            response = call_llm(**call_kwargs)
+            summary = response.choices[0].message.content.strip()
+            if not summary.startswith("[CONTEXT SUMMARY]:"):
+                summary = "[CONTEXT SUMMARY]: " + summary
+            return summary
+        except RuntimeError:
+            logging.warning("Context compression: no provider available for "
+                            "summary. Middle turns will be dropped without summary.")
+            return None
+        except Exception as e:
+            logging.warning("Failed to generate context summary: %s", e)
+            return None
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------
     # Tool-call / tool-result pair integrity helpers
diff --git a/hermes_cli/config.py b/hermes_cli/config.py
index 677de678c..990089781 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/config.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/config.py
@@ -125,17 +125,41 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
         "summary_provider": "auto",
     },
     
-    # Auxiliary model overrides (advanced).  By default Hermes auto-selects
-    # the provider and model for each side task.  Set these to override.
+    # Auxiliary model config — provider:model for each side task.
+    # Format: provider is the provider name, model is the model slug.
+    # "auto" for provider = auto-detect best available provider.
+    # Empty model = use provider's default auxiliary model.
+    # All tasks fall back to openrouter:google/gemini-3-flash-preview if
+    # the configured provider is unavailable.
     "auxiliary": {
         "vision": {
-            "provider": "auto",    # auto | openrouter | nous | main
+            "provider": "auto",    # auto | openrouter | nous | codex | custom
             "model": "",           # e.g. "google/gemini-2.5-flash", "gpt-4o"
         },
         "web_extract": {
             "provider": "auto",
             "model": "",
         },
+        "compression": {
+            "provider": "auto",
+            "model": "",
+        },
+        "session_search": {
+            "provider": "auto",
+            "model": "",
+        },
+        "skills_hub": {
+            "provider": "auto",
+            "model": "",
+        },
+        "mcp": {
+            "provider": "auto",
+            "model": "",
+        },
+        "flush_memories": {
+            "provider": "auto",
+            "model": "",
+        },
     },
     
     "display": {
@@ -217,7 +241,7 @@ DEFAULT_CONFIG = {
     "personalities": {},
 
     # Config schema version - bump this when adding new required fields
-    "_config_version": 6,
+    "_config_version": 7,
 }
 
 # =============================================================================
diff --git a/run_agent.py b/run_agent.py
index db35d85fd..8849d25c3 100644
--- a/run_agent.py
+++ b/run_agent.py
@@ -2623,19 +2623,22 @@ class AIAgent:
 
             # Use auxiliary client for the flush call when available --
             # it's cheaper and avoids Codex Responses API incompatibility.
-            from agent.auxiliary_client import get_text_auxiliary_client
-            aux_client, aux_model = get_text_auxiliary_client()
+            from agent.auxiliary_client import call_llm as _call_llm
+            _aux_available = True
+            try:
+                response = _call_llm(
+                    task="flush_memories",
+                    messages=api_messages,
+                    tools=[memory_tool_def],
+                    temperature=0.3,
+                    max_tokens=5120,
+                    timeout=30.0,
+                )
+            except RuntimeError:
+                _aux_available = False
+                response = None
 
-            if aux_client:
-                api_kwargs = {
-                    "model": aux_model,
-                    "messages": api_messages,
-                    "tools": [memory_tool_def],
-                    "temperature": 0.3,
-                    "max_tokens": 5120,
-                }
-                response = aux_client.chat.completions.create(**api_kwargs, timeout=30.0)
-            elif self.api_mode == "codex_responses":
+            if not _aux_available and self.api_mode == "codex_responses":
                 # No auxiliary client -- use the Codex Responses path directly
                 codex_kwargs = self._build_api_kwargs(api_messages)
                 codex_kwargs["tools"] = self._responses_tools([memory_tool_def])
@@ -2643,7 +2646,7 @@ class AIAgent:
                 if "max_output_tokens" in codex_kwargs:
                     codex_kwargs["max_output_tokens"] = 5120
                 response = self._run_codex_stream(codex_kwargs)
-            else:
+            elif not _aux_available:
                 api_kwargs = {
                     "model": self.model,
                     "messages": api_messages,
@@ -2655,7 +2658,7 @@ class AIAgent:
 
             # Extract tool calls from the response, handling both API formats
             tool_calls = []
-            if self.api_mode == "codex_responses" and not aux_client:
+            if self.api_mode == "codex_responses" and not _aux_available:
                 assistant_msg, _ = self._normalize_codex_response(response)
                 if assistant_msg and assistant_msg.tool_calls:
                     tool_calls = assistant_msg.tool_calls
diff --git a/tests/agent/test_context_compressor.py b/tests/agent/test_context_compressor.py
index 12fa374c8..82ee93503 100644
--- a/tests/agent/test_context_compressor.py
+++ b/tests/agent/test_context_compressor.py
@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ from agent.context_compressor import ContextCompressor
 @pytest.fixture()
 def compressor():
     """Create a ContextCompressor with mocked dependencies."""
-    with patch("agent.context_compressor.get_model_context_length", return_value=100000), \
-         patch("agent.context_compressor.get_text_auxiliary_client", return_value=(None, None)):
+    with patch("agent.context_compressor.get_model_context_length", return_value=100000):
         c = ContextCompressor(
             model="test/model",
             threshold_percent=0.85,
@@ -119,14 +118,11 @@ class TestGenerateSummaryNoneContent:
     """Regression: content=None (from tool-call-only assistant messages) must not crash."""
 
     def test_none_content_does_not_crash(self):
-        mock_client = MagicMock()
         mock_response = MagicMock()
         mock_response.choices = [MagicMock()]
         mock_response.choices[0].message.content = "[CONTEXT SUMMARY]: tool calls happened"
-        mock_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = mock_response
 
-        with patch("agent.context_compressor.get_model_context_length", return_value=100000), \
-             patch("agent.context_compressor.get_text_auxiliary_client", return_value=(mock_client, "test-model")):
+        with patch("agent.context_compressor.get_model_context_length", return_value=100000):
             c = ContextCompressor(model="test", quiet_mode=True)
 
         messages = [
@@ -139,14 +135,14 @@ class TestGenerateSummaryNoneContent:
             {"role": "user", "content": "thanks"},
         ]
 
-        summary = c._generate_summary(messages)
+        with patch("agent.context_compressor.call_llm", return_value=mock_response):
+            summary = c._generate_summary(messages)
         assert isinstance(summary, str)
         assert "CONTEXT SUMMARY" in summary
 
     def test_none_content_in_system_message_compress(self):
         """System message with content=None should not crash during compress."""
-        with patch("agent.context_compressor.get_model_context_length", return_value=100000), \
-             patch("agent.context_compressor.get_text_auxiliary_client", return_value=(None, None)):
+        with patch("agent.context_compressor.get_model_context_length", return_value=100000):
             c = ContextCompressor(model="test", quiet_mode=True, protect_first_n=2, protect_last_n=2)
 
         msgs = [{"role": "system", "content": None}] + [
@@ -165,12 +161,12 @@ class TestCompressWithClient:
         mock_response.choices[0].message.content = "[CONTEXT SUMMARY]: stuff happened"
         mock_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = mock_response
 
-        with patch("agent.context_compressor.get_model_context_length", return_value=100000), \
-             patch("agent.context_compressor.get_text_auxiliary_client", return_value=(mock_client, "test-model")):
+        with patch("agent.context_compressor.get_model_context_length", return_value=100000):
             c = ContextCompressor(model="test", quiet_mode=True)
 
         msgs = [{"role": "user" if i % 2 == 0 else "assistant", "content": f"msg {i}"} for i in range(10)]
-        result = c.compress(msgs)
+        with patch("agent.context_compressor.call_llm", return_value=mock_response):
+            result = c.compress(msgs)
 
         # Should have summary message in the middle
         contents = [m.get("content", "") for m in result]
@@ -184,8 +180,7 @@ class TestCompressWithClient:
         mock_response.choices[0].message.content = "[CONTEXT SUMMARY]: compressed middle"
         mock_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = mock_response
 
-        with patch("agent.context_compressor.get_model_context_length", return_value=100000), \
-             patch("agent.context_compressor.get_text_auxiliary_client", return_value=(mock_client, "test-model")):
+        with patch("agent.context_compressor.get_model_context_length", return_value=100000):
             c = ContextCompressor(
                 model="test",
                 quiet_mode=True,
@@ -212,7 +207,8 @@ class TestCompressWithClient:
             {"role": "user", "content": "later 4"},
         ]
 
-        result = c.compress(msgs)
+        with patch("agent.context_compressor.call_llm", return_value=mock_response):
+            result = c.compress(msgs)
 
         answered_ids = {
             msg.get("tool_call_id")
@@ -232,8 +228,7 @@ class TestCompressWithClient:
         mock_response.choices[0].message.content = "[CONTEXT SUMMARY]: stuff happened"
         mock_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = mock_response
 
-        with patch("agent.context_compressor.get_model_context_length", return_value=100000), \
-             patch("agent.context_compressor.get_text_auxiliary_client", return_value=(mock_client, "test-model")):
+        with patch("agent.context_compressor.get_model_context_length", return_value=100000):
             c = ContextCompressor(model="test", quiet_mode=True, protect_first_n=2, protect_last_n=2)
 
         # Last head message (index 1) is "assistant" → summary should be "user"
@@ -245,7 +240,8 @@ class TestCompressWithClient:
             {"role": "user", "content": "msg 4"},
             {"role": "assistant", "content": "msg 5"},
         ]
-        result = c.compress(msgs)
+        with patch("agent.context_compressor.call_llm", return_value=mock_response):
+            result = c.compress(msgs)
         summary_msg = [m for m in result if "CONTEXT SUMMARY" in (m.get("content") or "")]
         assert len(summary_msg) == 1
         assert summary_msg[0]["role"] == "user"
@@ -258,8 +254,7 @@ class TestCompressWithClient:
         mock_response.choices[0].message.content = "[CONTEXT SUMMARY]: stuff happened"
         mock_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = mock_response
 
-        with patch("agent.context_compressor.get_model_context_length", return_value=100000), \
-             patch("agent.context_compressor.get_text_auxiliary_client", return_value=(mock_client, "test-model")):
+        with patch("agent.context_compressor.get_model_context_length", return_value=100000):
             c = ContextCompressor(model="test", quiet_mode=True, protect_first_n=3, protect_last_n=2)
 
         # Last head message (index 2) is "user" → summary should be "assistant"
@@ -273,20 +268,18 @@ class TestCompressWithClient:
             {"role": "user", "content": "msg 6"},
             {"role": "assistant", "content": "msg 7"},
         ]
-        result = c.compress(msgs)
+        with patch("agent.context_compressor.call_llm", return_value=mock_response):
+            result = c.compress(msgs)
         summary_msg = [m for m in result if "CONTEXT SUMMARY" in (m.get("content") or "")]
         assert len(summary_msg) == 1
         assert summary_msg[0]["role"] == "assistant"
 
     def test_summarization_does_not_start_tail_with_tool_outputs(self):
-        mock_client = MagicMock()
         mock_response = MagicMock()
         mock_response.choices = [MagicMock()]
         mock_response.choices[0].message.content = "[CONTEXT SUMMARY]: compressed middle"
-        mock_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = mock_response
 
-        with patch("agent.context_compressor.get_model_context_length", return_value=100000), \
-             patch("agent.context_compressor.get_text_auxiliary_client", return_value=(mock_client, "test-model")):
+        with patch("agent.context_compressor.get_model_context_length", return_value=100000):
             c = ContextCompressor(
                 model="test",
                 quiet_mode=True,
@@ -309,7 +302,8 @@ class TestCompressWithClient:
             {"role": "user", "content": "latest user"},
         ]
 
-        result = c.compress(msgs)
+        with patch("agent.context_compressor.call_llm", return_value=mock_response):
+            result = c.compress(msgs)
 
         called_ids = {
             tc["id"]
diff --git a/tests/tools/test_mcp_tool.py b/tests/tools/test_mcp_tool.py
index 446f80d3e..0d527e95d 100644
--- a/tests/tools/test_mcp_tool.py
+++ b/tests/tools/test_mcp_tool.py
@@ -1828,8 +1828,8 @@ class TestSamplingCallbackText:
         )
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             params = _make_sampling_params()
             result = asyncio.run(self.handler(None, params))
@@ -1847,13 +1847,13 @@ class TestSamplingCallbackText:
         fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = _make_llm_response()
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
-        ):
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
+        ) as mock_call:
             params = _make_sampling_params(system_prompt="Be helpful")
             asyncio.run(self.handler(None, params))
 
-        call_args = fake_client.chat.completions.create.call_args
+        call_args = mock_call.call_args
         messages = call_args.kwargs["messages"]
         assert messages[0] == {"role": "system", "content": "Be helpful"}
 
@@ -1865,8 +1865,8 @@ class TestSamplingCallbackText:
         )
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             params = _make_sampling_params()
             result = asyncio.run(self.handler(None, params))
@@ -1889,8 +1889,8 @@ class TestSamplingCallbackToolUse:
         fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = _make_llm_tool_response()
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             params = _make_sampling_params()
             result = asyncio.run(self.handler(None, params))
@@ -1916,8 +1916,8 @@ class TestSamplingCallbackToolUse:
         )
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             result = asyncio.run(self.handler(None, _make_sampling_params()))
 
@@ -1939,8 +1939,8 @@ class TestToolLoopGovernance:
         fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = _make_llm_tool_response()
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             params = _make_sampling_params()
             # Round 1, 2: allowed
@@ -1959,8 +1959,8 @@ class TestToolLoopGovernance:
         fake_client = MagicMock()
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             # Tool response (round 1 of 1 allowed)
             fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = _make_llm_tool_response()
@@ -1984,8 +1984,8 @@ class TestToolLoopGovernance:
         fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = _make_llm_tool_response()
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             result = asyncio.run(handler(None, _make_sampling_params()))
             assert isinstance(result, ErrorData)
@@ -2003,8 +2003,8 @@ class TestSamplingErrors:
         fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = _make_llm_response()
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             # First call succeeds
             r1 = asyncio.run(handler(None, _make_sampling_params()))
@@ -2017,20 +2017,16 @@ class TestSamplingErrors:
 
     def test_timeout_error(self):
         handler = SamplingHandler("to", {"timeout": 0.05})
-        fake_client = MagicMock()
 
         def slow_call(**kwargs):
             import threading
-            # Use an event to ensure the thread truly blocks long enough
             evt = threading.Event()
             evt.wait(5)  # blocks for up to 5 seconds (cancelled by timeout)
             return _make_llm_response()
 
-        fake_client.chat.completions.create.side_effect = slow_call
-
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            side_effect=slow_call,
         ):
             result = asyncio.run(handler(None, _make_sampling_params()))
             assert isinstance(result, ErrorData)
@@ -2041,12 +2037,11 @@ class TestSamplingErrors:
         handler = SamplingHandler("np", {})
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(None, None),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            side_effect=RuntimeError("No LLM provider configured"),
         ):
             result = asyncio.run(handler(None, _make_sampling_params()))
             assert isinstance(result, ErrorData)
-            assert "No LLM provider" in result.message
             assert handler.metrics["errors"] == 1
 
     def test_empty_choices_returns_error(self):
@@ -2060,8 +2055,8 @@ class TestSamplingErrors:
         )
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             result = asyncio.run(handler(None, _make_sampling_params()))
 
@@ -2080,8 +2075,8 @@ class TestSamplingErrors:
         )
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             result = asyncio.run(handler(None, _make_sampling_params()))
 
@@ -2099,8 +2094,8 @@ class TestSamplingErrors:
         )
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             result = asyncio.run(handler(None, _make_sampling_params()))
 
@@ -2120,8 +2115,8 @@ class TestModelWhitelist:
         fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = _make_llm_response()
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "test-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             result = asyncio.run(handler(None, _make_sampling_params()))
             assert isinstance(result, CreateMessageResult)
@@ -2131,8 +2126,8 @@ class TestModelWhitelist:
         fake_client = MagicMock()
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "gpt-3.5-turbo"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             result = asyncio.run(handler(None, _make_sampling_params()))
             assert isinstance(result, ErrorData)
@@ -2145,8 +2140,8 @@ class TestModelWhitelist:
         fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = _make_llm_response()
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "any-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             result = asyncio.run(handler(None, _make_sampling_params()))
             assert isinstance(result, CreateMessageResult)
@@ -2166,8 +2161,8 @@ class TestMalformedToolCallArgs:
         )
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             result = asyncio.run(handler(None, _make_sampling_params()))
 
@@ -2194,8 +2189,8 @@ class TestMalformedToolCallArgs:
         fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = response
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             result = asyncio.run(handler(None, _make_sampling_params()))
 
@@ -2214,8 +2209,8 @@ class TestMetricsTracking:
         fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = _make_llm_response()
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             asyncio.run(handler(None, _make_sampling_params()))
 
@@ -2229,8 +2224,8 @@ class TestMetricsTracking:
         fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value = _make_llm_tool_response()
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(fake_client, "default-model"),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            return_value=fake_client.chat.completions.create.return_value,
         ):
             asyncio.run(handler(None, _make_sampling_params()))
 
@@ -2241,8 +2236,8 @@ class TestMetricsTracking:
         handler = SamplingHandler("met3", {})
 
         with patch(
-            "agent.auxiliary_client.get_text_auxiliary_client",
-            return_value=(None, None),
+            "agent.auxiliary_client.call_llm",
+            side_effect=RuntimeError("No LLM provider configured"),
         ):
             asyncio.run(handler(None, _make_sampling_params()))
 
diff --git a/tools/browser_tool.py b/tools/browser_tool.py
index dd44549b9..ae9515748 100644
--- a/tools/browser_tool.py
+++ b/tools/browser_tool.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ import time
 import requests
 from typing import Dict, Any, Optional, List
 from pathlib import Path
-from agent.auxiliary_client import get_vision_auxiliary_client, get_text_auxiliary_client
+from agent.auxiliary_client import call_llm
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -80,38 +80,15 @@ DEFAULT_SESSION_TIMEOUT = 300
 # Max tokens for snapshot content before summarization
 SNAPSHOT_SUMMARIZE_THRESHOLD = 8000
 
-# Vision client — for browser_vision (screenshot analysis)
-# Wrapped in try/except so a broken auxiliary config doesn't prevent the entire
-# browser_tool module from importing (which would disable all 10 browser tools).
-try:
-    _aux_vision_client, _DEFAULT_VISION_MODEL = get_vision_auxiliary_client()
-except Exception as _init_err:
-    logger.debug("Could not initialise vision auxiliary client: %s", _init_err)
-    _aux_vision_client, _DEFAULT_VISION_MODEL = None, None
 
-# Text client — for page snapshot summarization (same config as web_extract)
-try:
-    _aux_text_client, _DEFAULT_TEXT_MODEL = get_text_auxiliary_client("web_extract")
-except Exception as _init_err:
-    logger.debug("Could not initialise text auxiliary client: %s", _init_err)
-    _aux_text_client, _DEFAULT_TEXT_MODEL = None, None
-
-# Module-level alias for availability checks
-EXTRACTION_MODEL = _DEFAULT_TEXT_MODEL or _DEFAULT_VISION_MODEL
-
-
-def _get_vision_model() -> str:
+def _get_vision_model() -> Optional[str]:
     """Model for browser_vision (screenshot analysis — multimodal)."""
-    return (os.getenv("AUXILIARY_VISION_MODEL", "").strip()
-            or _DEFAULT_VISION_MODEL
-            or "google/gemini-3-flash-preview")
+    return os.getenv("AUXILIARY_VISION_MODEL", "").strip() or None
 
 
-def _get_extraction_model() -> str:
+def _get_extraction_model() -> Optional[str]:
     """Model for page snapshot text summarization — same as web_extract."""
-    return (os.getenv("AUXILIARY_WEB_EXTRACT_MODEL", "").strip()
-            or _DEFAULT_TEXT_MODEL
-            or "google/gemini-3-flash-preview")
+    return os.getenv("AUXILIARY_WEB_EXTRACT_MODEL", "").strip() or None
 
 
 def _is_local_mode() -> bool:
@@ -941,9 +918,6 @@ def _extract_relevant_content(
 
     Falls back to simple truncation when no auxiliary text model is configured.
     """
-    if _aux_text_client is None:
-        return _truncate_snapshot(snapshot_text)
-
     if user_task:
         extraction_prompt = (
             f"You are a content extractor for a browser automation agent.\n\n"
@@ -968,13 +942,16 @@ def _extract_relevant_content(
         )
 
     try:
-        from agent.auxiliary_client import auxiliary_max_tokens_param
-        response = _aux_text_client.chat.completions.create(
-            model=_get_extraction_model(),
-            messages=[{"role": "user", "content": extraction_prompt}],
-            **auxiliary_max_tokens_param(4000),
-            temperature=0.1,
-        )
+        call_kwargs = {
+            "task": "web_extract",
+            "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": extraction_prompt}],
+            "max_tokens": 4000,
+            "temperature": 0.1,
+        }
+        model = _get_extraction_model()
+        if model:
+            call_kwargs["model"] = model
+        response = call_llm(**call_kwargs)
         return response.choices[0].message.content
     except Exception:
         return _truncate_snapshot(snapshot_text)
@@ -1497,14 +1474,6 @@ def browser_vision(question: str, annotate: bool = False, task_id: Optional[str]
     
     effective_task_id = task_id or "default"
     
-    # Check auxiliary vision client
-    if _aux_vision_client is None or _DEFAULT_VISION_MODEL is None:
-        return json.dumps({
-            "success": False,
-            "error": "Browser vision unavailable: no auxiliary vision model configured. "
-                     "Set OPENROUTER_API_KEY or configure Nous Portal to enable browser vision."
-        }, ensure_ascii=False)
-    
     # Save screenshot to persistent location so it can be shared with users
     hermes_home = Path(os.environ.get("HERMES_HOME", Path.home() / ".hermes"))
     screenshots_dir = hermes_home / "browser_screenshots"
@@ -1562,14 +1531,13 @@ def browser_vision(question: str, annotate: bool = False, task_id: Optional[str]
             f"Focus on answering the user's specific question."
         )
 
-        # Use the sync auxiliary vision client directly
-        from agent.auxiliary_client import auxiliary_max_tokens_param
+        # Use the centralized LLM router
         vision_model = _get_vision_model()
-        logger.debug("browser_vision: analysing screenshot (%d bytes) with model=%s",
-                     len(image_data), vision_model)
-        response = _aux_vision_client.chat.completions.create(
-            model=vision_model,
-            messages=[
+        logger.debug("browser_vision: analysing screenshot (%d bytes)",
+                     len(image_data))
+        call_kwargs = {
+            "task": "vision",
+            "messages": [
                 {
                     "role": "user",
                     "content": [
@@ -1578,9 +1546,12 @@ def browser_vision(question: str, annotate: bool = False, task_id: Optional[str]
                     ],
                 }
             ],
-            **auxiliary_max_tokens_param(2000),
-            temperature=0.1,
-        )
+            "max_tokens": 2000,
+            "temperature": 0.1,
+        }
+        if vision_model:
+            call_kwargs["model"] = vision_model
+        response = call_llm(**call_kwargs)
         
         analysis = response.choices[0].message.content
         response_data = {
diff --git a/tools/mcp_tool.py b/tools/mcp_tool.py
index b0fc35f7f..e1137909e 100644
--- a/tools/mcp_tool.py
+++ b/tools/mcp_tool.py
@@ -456,17 +456,13 @@ class SamplingHandler:
         # Resolve model
         model = self._resolve_model(getattr(params, "modelPreferences", None))
 
-        # Get auxiliary LLM client
-        from agent.auxiliary_client import get_text_auxiliary_client
-        client, default_model = get_text_auxiliary_client()
-        if client is None:
-            self.metrics["errors"] += 1
-            return self._error("No LLM provider available for sampling")
+        # Get auxiliary LLM client via centralized router
+        from agent.auxiliary_client import call_llm
 
-        resolved_model = model or default_model
+        # Model whitelist check (we need to resolve model before calling)
+        resolved_model = model or self.model_override or ""
 
-        # Model whitelist check
-        if self.allowed_models and resolved_model not in self.allowed_models:
+        if self.allowed_models and resolved_model and resolved_model not in self.allowed_models:
             logger.warning(
                 "MCP server '%s' requested model '%s' not in allowed_models",
                 self.server_name, resolved_model,
@@ -484,20 +480,15 @@ class SamplingHandler:
 
         # Build LLM call kwargs
         max_tokens = min(params.maxTokens, self.max_tokens_cap)
-        call_kwargs: dict = {
-            "model": resolved_model,
-            "messages": messages,
-            "max_tokens": max_tokens,
-        }
+        call_temperature = None
         if hasattr(params, "temperature") and params.temperature is not None:
-            call_kwargs["temperature"] = params.temperature
-        if stop := getattr(params, "stopSequences", None):
-            call_kwargs["stop"] = stop
+            call_temperature = params.temperature
 
         # Forward server-provided tools
+        call_tools = None
         server_tools = getattr(params, "tools", None)
         if server_tools:
-            call_kwargs["tools"] = [
+            call_tools = [
                 {
                     "type": "function",
                     "function": {
@@ -508,9 +499,6 @@ class SamplingHandler:
                 }
                 for t in server_tools
             ]
-            if tool_choice := getattr(params, "toolChoice", None):
-                mode = getattr(tool_choice, "mode", "auto")
-                call_kwargs["tool_choice"] = {"auto": "auto", "required": "required", "none": "none"}.get(mode, "auto")
 
         logger.log(
             self.audit_level,
@@ -520,7 +508,15 @@ class SamplingHandler:
 
         # Offload sync LLM call to thread (non-blocking)
         def _sync_call():
-            return client.chat.completions.create(**call_kwargs)
+            return call_llm(
+                task="mcp",
+                model=resolved_model or None,
+                messages=messages,
+                temperature=call_temperature,
+                max_tokens=max_tokens,
+                tools=call_tools,
+                timeout=self.timeout,
+            )
 
         try:
             response = await asyncio.wait_for(
diff --git a/tools/session_search_tool.py b/tools/session_search_tool.py
index 4bf88cbf0..cd1b98fd5 100644
--- a/tools/session_search_tool.py
+++ b/tools/session_search_tool.py
@@ -22,13 +22,7 @@ import os
 import logging
 from typing import Dict, Any, List, Optional, Union
 
-from openai import AsyncOpenAI, OpenAI
-
-from agent.auxiliary_client import get_async_text_auxiliary_client
-
-# Resolve the async auxiliary client at import time so we have the model slug.
-# Handles Codex Responses API adapter transparently.
-_async_aux_client, _SUMMARIZER_MODEL = get_async_text_auxiliary_client()
+from agent.auxiliary_client import async_call_llm
 MAX_SESSION_CHARS = 100_000
 MAX_SUMMARY_TOKENS = 10000
 
@@ -156,26 +150,22 @@ async def _summarize_session(
         f"Summarize this conversation with focus on: {query}"
     )
 
-    if _async_aux_client is None or _SUMMARIZER_MODEL is None:
-        logging.warning("No auxiliary model available for session summarization")
-        return None
-
     max_retries = 3
     for attempt in range(max_retries):
         try:
-            from agent.auxiliary_client import get_auxiliary_extra_body, auxiliary_max_tokens_param
-            _extra = get_auxiliary_extra_body()
-            response = await _async_aux_client.chat.completions.create(
-                model=_SUMMARIZER_MODEL,
+            response = await async_call_llm(
+                task="session_search",
                 messages=[
                     {"role": "system", "content": system_prompt},
                     {"role": "user", "content": user_prompt},
                 ],
-                **({} if not _extra else {"extra_body": _extra}),
                 temperature=0.1,
-                **auxiliary_max_tokens_param(MAX_SUMMARY_TOKENS),
+                max_tokens=MAX_SUMMARY_TOKENS,
             )
             return response.choices[0].message.content.strip()
+        except RuntimeError:
+            logging.warning("No auxiliary model available for session summarization")
+            return None
         except Exception as e:
             if attempt < max_retries - 1:
                 await asyncio.sleep(1 * (attempt + 1))
@@ -333,8 +323,6 @@ def session_search(
 
 def check_session_search_requirements() -> bool:
     """Requires SQLite state database and an auxiliary text model."""
-    if _async_aux_client is None:
-        return False
     try:
         from hermes_state import DEFAULT_DB_PATH
         return DEFAULT_DB_PATH.parent.exists()
diff --git a/tools/skills_guard.py b/tools/skills_guard.py
index 8234b0a20..c354d6548 100644
--- a/tools/skills_guard.py
+++ b/tools/skills_guard.py
@@ -936,13 +936,10 @@ def llm_audit_skill(skill_path: Path, static_result: ScanResult,
 
     # Call the LLM via the centralized provider router
     try:
-        from agent.auxiliary_client import resolve_provider_client
+        from agent.auxiliary_client import call_llm
 
-        client, _default_model = resolve_provider_client("openrouter")
-        if client is None:
-            return static_result
-
-        response = client.chat.completions.create(
+        response = call_llm(
+            provider="openrouter",
             model=model,
             messages=[{
                 "role": "user",
diff --git a/tools/vision_tools.py b/tools/vision_tools.py
index ee89b58a4..c1b09a22d 100644
--- a/tools/vision_tools.py
+++ b/tools/vision_tools.py
@@ -37,16 +37,11 @@ from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, Awaitable, Dict, Optional
 from urllib.parse import urlparse
 import httpx
-from agent.auxiliary_client import get_async_vision_auxiliary_client
+from agent.auxiliary_client import async_call_llm
 from tools.debug_helpers import DebugSession
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
-# Resolve vision auxiliary client at module level.
-# Uses get_async_vision_auxiliary_client() which properly handles Codex
-# routing (Responses API adapter) instead of raw AsyncOpenAI construction.
-_aux_async_client, DEFAULT_VISION_MODEL = get_async_vision_auxiliary_client()
-
 _debug = DebugSession("vision_tools", env_var="VISION_TOOLS_DEBUG")
 
 
@@ -185,7 +180,7 @@ def _image_to_base64_data_url(image_path: Path, mime_type: Optional[str] = None)
 async def vision_analyze_tool(
     image_url: str,
     user_prompt: str,
-    model: str = DEFAULT_VISION_MODEL,
+    model: str = None,
 ) -> str:
     """
     Analyze an image from a URL or local file path using vision AI.
@@ -245,15 +240,6 @@ async def vision_analyze_tool(
         logger.info("Analyzing image: %s", image_url[:60])
         logger.info("User prompt: %s", user_prompt[:100])
         
-        # Check auxiliary vision client availability
-        if _aux_async_client is None or DEFAULT_VISION_MODEL is None:
-            logger.error("Vision analysis unavailable: no auxiliary vision model configured")
-            return json.dumps({
-                "success": False,
-                "analysis": "Vision analysis unavailable: no auxiliary vision model configured. "
-                            "Set OPENROUTER_API_KEY or configure Nous Portal to enable vision tools."
-            }, indent=2, ensure_ascii=False)
-        
         # Determine if this is a local file path or a remote URL
         local_path = Path(image_url)
         if local_path.is_file():
@@ -309,18 +295,18 @@ async def vision_analyze_tool(
             }
         ]
         
-        logger.info("Processing image with %s...", model)
+        logger.info("Processing image with vision model...")
         
-        # Call the vision API
-        from agent.auxiliary_client import get_auxiliary_extra_body, auxiliary_max_tokens_param
-        _extra = get_auxiliary_extra_body()
-        response = await _aux_async_client.chat.completions.create(
-            model=model,
-            messages=messages,
-            temperature=0.1,
-            **auxiliary_max_tokens_param(2000),
-            **({} if not _extra else {"extra_body": _extra}),
-        )
+        # Call the vision API via centralized router
+        call_kwargs = {
+            "task": "vision",
+            "messages": messages,
+            "temperature": 0.1,
+            "max_tokens": 2000,
+        }
+        if model:
+            call_kwargs["model"] = model
+        response = await async_call_llm(**call_kwargs)
         
         # Extract the analysis
         analysis = response.choices[0].message.content.strip()
@@ -391,7 +377,18 @@ async def vision_analyze_tool(
 
 def check_vision_requirements() -> bool:
     """Check if an auxiliary vision model is available."""
-    return _aux_async_client is not None
+    try:
+        from agent.auxiliary_client import resolve_provider_client
+        client, _ = resolve_provider_client("openrouter")
+        if client is not None:
+            return True
+        client, _ = resolve_provider_client("nous")
+        if client is not None:
+            return True
+        client, _ = resolve_provider_client("custom")
+        return client is not None
+    except Exception:
+        return False
 
 
 def get_debug_session_info() -> Dict[str, Any]:
@@ -419,10 +416,9 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
         print("Set OPENROUTER_API_KEY or configure Nous Portal to enable vision tools.")
         exit(1)
     else:
-        print(f"✅ Vision model available: {DEFAULT_VISION_MODEL}")
+        print("✅ Vision model available")
     
     print("🛠️ Vision tools ready for use!")
-    print(f"🧠 Using model: {DEFAULT_VISION_MODEL}")
     
     # Show debug mode status
     if _debug.active:
@@ -489,9 +485,7 @@ def _handle_vision_analyze(args: Dict[str, Any], **kw: Any) -> Awaitable[str]:
         "Fully describe and explain everything about this image, then answer the "
         f"following question:\n\n{question}"
     )
-    model = (os.getenv("AUXILIARY_VISION_MODEL", "").strip()
-             or DEFAULT_VISION_MODEL
-             or "google/gemini-3-flash-preview")
+    model = os.getenv("AUXILIARY_VISION_MODEL", "").strip() or None
     return vision_analyze_tool(image_url, full_prompt, model)
 
 
diff --git a/tools/web_tools.py b/tools/web_tools.py
index e99d94fb0..71a882a5e 100644
--- a/tools/web_tools.py
+++ b/tools/web_tools.py
@@ -47,8 +47,7 @@ import re
 import asyncio
 from typing import List, Dict, Any, Optional
 from firecrawl import Firecrawl
-from openai import AsyncOpenAI
-from agent.auxiliary_client import get_async_text_auxiliary_client
+from agent.auxiliary_client import async_call_llm
 from tools.debug_helpers import DebugSession
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -83,15 +82,8 @@ def _get_firecrawl_client():
 
 DEFAULT_MIN_LENGTH_FOR_SUMMARIZATION = 5000
 
-# Resolve async auxiliary client at module level.
-# Handles Codex Responses API adapter transparently.
-_aux_async_client, _DEFAULT_SUMMARIZER_MODEL = get_async_text_auxiliary_client("web_extract")
-
-# Allow per-task override via config.yaml auxiliary.web_extract_model
-DEFAULT_SUMMARIZER_MODEL = (
-    os.getenv("AUXILIARY_WEB_EXTRACT_MODEL", "").strip()
-    or _DEFAULT_SUMMARIZER_MODEL
-)
+# Allow per-task override via env var
+DEFAULT_SUMMARIZER_MODEL = os.getenv("AUXILIARY_WEB_EXTRACT_MODEL", "").strip() or None
 
 _debug = DebugSession("web_tools", env_var="WEB_TOOLS_DEBUG")
 
@@ -249,22 +241,22 @@ Create a markdown summary that captures all key information in a well-organized,
 
     for attempt in range(max_retries):
         try:
-            if _aux_async_client is None:
-                logger.warning("No auxiliary model available for web content processing")
-                return None
-            from agent.auxiliary_client import get_auxiliary_extra_body, auxiliary_max_tokens_param
-            _extra = get_auxiliary_extra_body()
-            response = await _aux_async_client.chat.completions.create(
-                model=model,
-                messages=[
+            call_kwargs = {
+                "task": "web_extract",
+                "messages": [
                     {"role": "system", "content": system_prompt},
                     {"role": "user", "content": user_prompt}
                 ],
-                temperature=0.1,
-                **auxiliary_max_tokens_param(max_tokens),
-                **({} if not _extra else {"extra_body": _extra}),
-            )
+                "temperature": 0.1,
+                "max_tokens": max_tokens,
+            }
+            if model:
+                call_kwargs["model"] = model
+            response = await async_call_llm(**call_kwargs)
             return response.choices[0].message.content.strip()
+        except RuntimeError:
+            logger.warning("No auxiliary model available for web content processing")
+            return None
         except Exception as api_error:
             last_error = api_error
             if attempt < max_retries - 1:
@@ -368,25 +360,18 @@ Synthesize these into ONE cohesive, comprehensive summary that:
 Create a single, unified markdown summary."""
 
     try:
-        if _aux_async_client is None:
-            logger.warning("No auxiliary model for synthesis, concatenating summaries")
-            fallback = "\n\n".join(summaries)
-            if len(fallback) > max_output_size:
-                fallback = fallback[:max_output_size] + "\n\n[... truncated ...]"
-            return fallback
-
-        from agent.auxiliary_client import get_auxiliary_extra_body, auxiliary_max_tokens_param
-        _extra = get_auxiliary_extra_body()
-        response = await _aux_async_client.chat.completions.create(
-            model=model,
-            messages=[
+        call_kwargs = {
+            "task": "web_extract",
+            "messages": [
                 {"role": "system", "content": "You synthesize multiple summaries into one cohesive, comprehensive summary. Be thorough but concise."},
                 {"role": "user", "content": synthesis_prompt}
             ],
-            temperature=0.1,
-            **auxiliary_max_tokens_param(20000),
-            **({} if not _extra else {"extra_body": _extra}),
-        )
+            "temperature": 0.1,
+            "max_tokens": 20000,
+        }
+        if model:
+            call_kwargs["model"] = model
+        response = await async_call_llm(**call_kwargs)
         final_summary = response.choices[0].message.content.strip()
         
         # Enforce hard cap
@@ -713,8 +698,8 @@ async def web_extract_tool(
         debug_call_data["pages_extracted"] = pages_extracted
         debug_call_data["original_response_size"] = len(json.dumps(response))
         
-        # Process each result with LLM if enabled and auxiliary client is available
-        if use_llm_processing and _aux_async_client is not None:
+        # Process each result with LLM if enabled
+        if use_llm_processing:
             logger.info("Processing extracted content with LLM (parallel)...")
             debug_call_data["processing_applied"].append("llm_processing")
             
@@ -780,10 +765,6 @@ async def web_extract_tool(
                 else:
                     logger.warning("%s (no content to process)", url)
         else:
-            if use_llm_processing and _aux_async_client is None:
-                logger.warning("LLM processing requested but no auxiliary model available, returning raw content")
-                debug_call_data["processing_applied"].append("llm_processing_unavailable")
-            
             # Print summary of extracted pages for debugging (original behavior)
             for result in response.get('results', []):
                 url = result.get('url', 'Unknown URL')
@@ -1013,8 +994,8 @@ async def web_crawl_tool(
         debug_call_data["pages_crawled"] = pages_crawled
         debug_call_data["original_response_size"] = len(json.dumps(response))
         
-        # Process each result with LLM if enabled and auxiliary client is available
-        if use_llm_processing and _aux_async_client is not None:
+        # Process each result with LLM if enabled
+        if use_llm_processing:
             logger.info("Processing crawled content with LLM (parallel)...")
             debug_call_data["processing_applied"].append("llm_processing")
             
@@ -1080,10 +1061,6 @@ async def web_crawl_tool(
                 else:
                     logger.warning("%s (no content to process)", page_url)
         else:
-            if use_llm_processing and _aux_async_client is None:
-                logger.warning("LLM processing requested but no auxiliary model available, returning raw content")
-                debug_call_data["processing_applied"].append("llm_processing_unavailable")
-            
             # Print summary of crawled pages for debugging (original behavior)
             for result in response.get('results', []):
                 page_url = result.get('url', 'Unknown URL')
@@ -1138,7 +1115,15 @@ def check_firecrawl_api_key() -> bool:
 
 def check_auxiliary_model() -> bool:
     """Check if an auxiliary text model is available for LLM content processing."""
-    return _aux_async_client is not None
+    try:
+        from agent.auxiliary_client import resolve_provider_client
+        for p in ("openrouter", "nous", "custom", "codex"):
+            client, _ = resolve_provider_client(p)
+            if client is not None:
+                return True
+        return False
+    except Exception:
+        return False
 
 
 def get_debug_session_info() -> Dict[str, Any]:
diff --git a/trajectory_compressor.py b/trajectory_compressor.py
index 5f1c84c6a..ef81d6e27 100644
--- a/trajectory_compressor.py
+++ b/trajectory_compressor.py
@@ -344,28 +344,32 @@ class TrajectoryCompressor:
             raise RuntimeError(f"Failed to load tokenizer '{self.config.tokenizer_name}': {e}")
     
     def _init_summarizer(self):
-        """Initialize LLM client for summarization (sync and async).
+        """Initialize LLM routing for summarization (sync and async).
 
-        Routes through the centralized provider router for known providers
-        (OpenRouter, Nous, Codex, etc.) so auth and headers are handled
-        consistently.  Falls back to raw construction for custom endpoints.
+        Uses call_llm/async_call_llm from the centralized provider router
+        which handles auth, headers, and provider detection internally.
+        For custom endpoints, falls back to raw client construction.
         """
-        from agent.auxiliary_client import resolve_provider_client
+        from agent.auxiliary_client import call_llm, async_call_llm
 
         provider = self._detect_provider()
         if provider:
-            # Use centralized router — handles auth, headers, Codex adapter
-            self.client, _ = resolve_provider_client(
+            # Store provider for use in _generate_summary calls
+            self._llm_provider = provider
+            self._use_call_llm = True
+            # Verify the provider is available
+            from agent.auxiliary_client import resolve_provider_client
+            client, _ = resolve_provider_client(
                 provider, model=self.config.summarization_model)
-            self.async_client, _ = resolve_provider_client(
-                provider, model=self.config.summarization_model,
-                async_mode=True)
-            if self.client is None:
+            if client is None:
                 raise RuntimeError(
                     f"Provider '{provider}' is not configured. "
                     f"Check your API key or run: hermes setup")
+            self.client = None  # Not used directly
+            self.async_client = None  # Not used directly
         else:
             # Custom endpoint — use config's raw base_url + api_key_env
+            self._use_call_llm = False
             api_key = os.getenv(self.config.api_key_env)
             if not api_key:
                 raise RuntimeError(
@@ -524,12 +528,22 @@ Write only the summary, starting with "[CONTEXT SUMMARY]:" prefix."""
             try:
                 metrics.summarization_api_calls += 1
                 
-                response = self.client.chat.completions.create(
-                    model=self.config.summarization_model,
-                    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": prompt}],
-                    temperature=self.config.temperature,
-                    max_tokens=self.config.summary_target_tokens * 2,
-                )
+                if getattr(self, '_use_call_llm', False):
+                    from agent.auxiliary_client import call_llm
+                    response = call_llm(
+                        provider=self._llm_provider,
+                        model=self.config.summarization_model,
+                        messages=[{"role": "user", "content": prompt}],
+                        temperature=self.config.temperature,
+                        max_tokens=self.config.summary_target_tokens * 2,
+                    )
+                else:
+                    response = self.client.chat.completions.create(
+                        model=self.config.summarization_model,
+                        messages=[{"role": "user", "content": prompt}],
+                        temperature=self.config.temperature,
+                        max_tokens=self.config.summary_target_tokens * 2,
+                    )
                 
                 summary = response.choices[0].message.content.strip()
                 
@@ -581,12 +595,22 @@ Write only the summary, starting with "[CONTEXT SUMMARY]:" prefix."""
             try:
                 metrics.summarization_api_calls += 1
                 
-                response = await self.async_client.chat.completions.create(
-                    model=self.config.summarization_model,
-                    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": prompt}],
-                    temperature=self.config.temperature,
-                    max_tokens=self.config.summary_target_tokens * 2,
-                )
+                if getattr(self, '_use_call_llm', False):
+                    from agent.auxiliary_client import async_call_llm
+                    response = await async_call_llm(
+                        provider=self._llm_provider,
+                        model=self.config.summarization_model,
+                        messages=[{"role": "user", "content": prompt}],
+                        temperature=self.config.temperature,
+                        max_tokens=self.config.summary_target_tokens * 2,
+                    )
+                else:
+                    response = await self.async_client.chat.completions.create(
+                        model=self.config.summarization_model,
+                        messages=[{"role": "user", "content": prompt}],
+                        temperature=self.config.temperature,
+                        max_tokens=self.config.summary_target_tokens * 2,
+                    )
                 
                 summary = response.choices[0].message.content.strip()