Improve public Space configuration UX

README.md

@@ -38,6 +38,15 @@ python app.py
 4. Optional Variables:
    - `DEFAULT_MODEL` (default: `Qwen/Qwen2.5-7B-Instruct`)
 
+### Public Space Configuration Checklist
+
+If the Space is public and you want users to run it directly:
+
+1. Keep the Space **Visibility** as Public.
+2. Add `HF_TOKEN` in **Secrets** (required by this starter).
+3. Click **Restart this Space** after saving the secret.
+4. Open the app and run a simple query like: `What is retrieval-augmented generation?`
+
 ## 3) Free Model First, Your Model Later
 
 You can start with a free inference model, then switch by changing only env/config:

app.py

@@ -12,6 +12,11 @@ from huggingface_hub import InferenceClient
 
 
 DEFAULT_MODEL = os.getenv("DEFAULT_MODEL", "Qwen/Qwen2.5-7B-Instruct")
+DEFAULT_FREE_MODELS = [
+    "Qwen/Qwen2.5-7B-Instruct",
+    "meta-llama/Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct",
+    "mistralai/Mistral-7B-Instruct-v0.3",
+]
 
 SYSTEM_PROMPT = """You are a Deep Research assistant.
 You can think step by step, use tools, and then return a final answer.
@@ -238,6 +243,12 @@ def run_ui(
 ):
     if not question.strip():
         return "Please input a question.", "{}"
+    if not os.getenv("HF_TOKEN"):
+        warning = (
+            "HF_TOKEN is not configured in Space Secrets. "
+            "Go to Settings -> Secrets -> add `HF_TOKEN`, then retry."
+        )
+        return warning, json.dumps({"error": warning}, ensure_ascii=False, indent=2)
     try:
         return build_research_agent(
             question=question,
@@ -256,7 +267,7 @@ with gr.Blocks(title="DeepResearch Space Starter") as demo:
 # DeepResearch Space Starter
 Ask a question, and the agent will iteratively search and visit pages before producing a final answer.
 
-This starter uses a free HF Inference model by default. You can switch models later with environment variables.
+This starter uses free HF Inference models by default. You can switch models later with environment variables.
 """
     )
 
@@ -267,7 +278,13 @@ This starter uses a free HF Inference model by default. You can switch models la
                 placeholder="e.g. Compare top open-source deep research agents and summarize differences.",
                 lines=4,
             )
-            model = gr.Textbox(label="Model", value=DEFAULT_MODEL)
+            model = gr.Dropdown(
+                label="Model",
+                choices=DEFAULT_FREE_MODELS,
+                value=DEFAULT_MODEL if DEFAULT_MODEL in DEFAULT_FREE_MODELS else DEFAULT_FREE_MODELS[0],
+                allow_custom_value=True,
+                info="You can also type your own model id.",
+            )
             with gr.Row():
                 max_turns = gr.Slider(label="Max Turns", minimum=2, maximum=20, value=8, step=1)
                 max_search_results = gr.Slider(