diff --git a/docs/website/content/docs/reference/api/index.mdx b/docs/website/content/docs/reference/api/index.mdx
index 3c35d1d847..6e7b9f29e5 100644
--- a/docs/website/content/docs/reference/api/index.mdx
+++ b/docs/website/content/docs/reference/api/index.mdx
@@ -1294,9 +1294,10 @@ console.log(await response.text);
 
 Unloads a previously loaded model from the server.
 
-When the last model is unloaded (no more models remain), this function
-automatically closes the RPC connection, allowing the process to exit
-naturally without requiring manual cleanup.
+When no models or providers remain active, the SDK can auto-close the RPC
+connection so the host process exits naturally. The default flips by
+runtime: **on** for Node/Electron, **off** for Bare. Pass `autoClose` to
+override.
 
 **Signature**:
 
@@ -1308,6 +1309,18 @@ function unloadModel(params: UnloadModelParams): Promise<void>;
 
 - `QvacErrorBase` — When the response type is invalid or when the unload operation fails
 
+**Example**:
+
+```ts
+await unloadModel({ modelId });
+
+// Force close on Bare
+await unloadModel({ modelId, autoClose: true });
+
+// Keep the connection open on Node/Electron
+await unloadModel({ modelId, autoClose: false });
+```
+
 ---
 
 ## Objects
diff --git a/packages/sdk/client/api/unload-model.ts b/packages/sdk/client/api/unload-model.ts
index 26f3e26cf3..a01d699a29 100644
--- a/packages/sdk/client/api/unload-model.ts
+++ b/packages/sdk/client/api/unload-model.ts
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { isBare } from "which-runtime";
 import { type UnloadModelRequest, type UnloadModelParams } from "@/schemas";
 import { send, close } from "@/client/rpc/rpc-client";
 import { stopLoggingStreamForModel } from "@/client/logging-stream-registry";
@@ -13,12 +14,15 @@ const logger = getClientLogger();
  * Unloads a previously loaded model from the server.
  *
  * When the last model is unloaded (no more models remain), this function
- * automatically closes the RPC connection, allowing the process to exit
- * naturally without requiring manual cleanup.
+ * automatically closes the RPC connection on Node/Electron, allowing the
+ * process to exit naturally without requiring manual cleanup. On Bare the
+ * connection is left open by default so long-lived workers survive a routine
+ * unload; pass `autoClose: true` to opt in to closing.
  *
  * @param params - The parameters for unloading the model
  * @param params.modelId - The unique identifier of the model to unload
  * @param params.clearStorage - Whether to clear the storage for the model
+ * @param params.autoClose - Override the runtime-default auto-close behavior
  * @throws {QvacErrorBase} When the response type is invalid or when the unload operation fails
  */
 export async function unloadModel(params: UnloadModelParams) {
@@ -39,8 +43,9 @@ export async function unloadModel(params: UnloadModelParams) {
 
   stopLoggingStreamForModel(params.modelId);
 
-  // Auto-close when no models remain AND no providers are active
+  const shouldAutoClose = params.autoClose ?? !isBare;
   if (
+    shouldAutoClose &&
     response.hasActiveModels === false &&
     response.hasActiveProviders === false
   ) {
diff --git a/packages/sdk/schemas/unload-model.ts b/packages/sdk/schemas/unload-model.ts
index d0d518d88d..cf977fb038 100644
--- a/packages/sdk/schemas/unload-model.ts
+++ b/packages/sdk/schemas/unload-model.ts
@@ -3,10 +3,13 @@ import { z } from "zod";
 export const unloadModelParamsSchema = z.object({
   modelId: z.string(),
   clearStorage: z.boolean().default(false),
+  autoClose: z.boolean().optional(),
 });
 
-export const unloadModelRequestSchema = unloadModelParamsSchema.extend({
+export const unloadModelRequestSchema = z.object({
   type: z.literal("unloadModel"),
+  modelId: z.string(),
+  clearStorage: z.boolean().default(false),
 });
 
 export const unloadModelResponseSchema = z.object({