diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 9ca0196..0e01fb4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ Files are split into overlapping chunks for granular search:
 | `chunk_size` | `512` | Characters per chunk |
 | `chunk_overlap` | `64` | Overlap between chunks |
 | `n_threads` | `0` | CPU threads (0 = auto) |
-| `use_reranker` | `true` | Enable result reranking |
+| `use_reranker` | `false` | Enable result reranking (not yet implemented) |
 
 ### Environment Variables
 
@@ -483,7 +483,9 @@ vgrep/
 | Model | Size | Purpose |
 |-------|------|---------|
 | Qwen3-Embedding-0.6B-Q8_0 | ~600 MB | Text → Vector embeddings |
-| Qwen3-Reranker-0.6B-Q4_K_M | ~400 MB | Result reranking (optional) |
+| Qwen3-Reranker-0.6B-Q4_K_M | ~400 MB | Result reranking (not yet implemented) |
+
+The embedding model is downloaded by default with `vgrep models download`. The reranker model is reserved for future use and can be downloaded separately with `vgrep models download --reranker-only`.
 
 Models are downloaded to `~/.cache/huggingface/` and cached automatically.
 
diff --git a/src/cli/commands.rs b/src/cli/commands.rs
index f128499..2847be8 100644
--- a/src/cli/commands.rs
+++ b/src/cli/commands.rs
@@ -872,7 +872,9 @@ fn run_models(action: ModelsAction, config: &mut Config) -> Result<()> {
                 config.set_embedding_model(embedding_path.to_string_lossy().to_string())?;
             }
 
-            if !embedding_only {
+            // Reranker is not yet implemented (requires separate backend)
+            // Only download if explicitly requested with --reranker-only
+            if reranker_only {
                 println!();
                 println!("  {}Downloading reranker model...", ui::DOWNLOAD);
                 println!(
@@ -884,6 +886,11 @@ fn run_models(action: ModelsAction, config: &mut Config) -> Result<()> {
                     style("From:").dim()
                 );
                 println!();
+                println!(
+                    "    {} Reranker is not yet implemented, downloading for future use",
+                    style("Note:").yellow()
+                );
+                println!();
 
                 let pb = ProgressBar::new_spinner();
                 pb.set_style(ProgressStyle::default_spinner().template("{spinner:.green} {msg}")?);
diff --git a/src/config.rs b/src/config.rs
index 6e9bddf..03ac77a 100644
--- a/src/config.rs
+++ b/src/config.rs
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ fn default_context_size() -> usize {
 }
 
 fn default_use_reranker() -> bool {
-    true
+    false
 }
 
 impl Default for Config {