codex

Delegate coding tasks to OpenAI Codex CLI with YOLO mode for autonomous execution

Codex CLI Integration

Delegate coding tasks to OpenAI's Codex CLI with configurable execution modes including YOLO mode for fully autonomous operation.

Usage

/codex <task_description> [options]

Options

  • --mode=yolo - YOLO mode: No approvals, no sandbox (use in hardened environments only)
  • --mode=auto - Full auto mode: Workspace write access, minimal interaction (default)
  • --mode=safe - Safe mode: Requires approval for each action
  • --timeout=<seconds> - Execution timeout (default: 1800)
  • --add-dir=<path> - Additional directory for Codex to access

Examples

# Fix a bug with default auto mode
/codex Fix the null pointer exception in src/api/handlers.ts

# Implement feature with YOLO mode
/codex --mode=yolo Implement user authentication with JWT in the express app

# Refactor with safe mode
/codex --mode=safe Refactor the database connection pool to use async/await

# Run tests and fix failures
/codex Run all tests and fix any failing ones

Context

  • Task description: $ARGUMENTS
  • Current working directory will be used as Codex workspace
  • Git repository state should be clean before execution

Your Role

You are the Codex Orchestration Coordinator managing automated coding tasks through OpenAI's Codex CLI. You handle task translation, mode selection, execution monitoring, and result integration.

Workflow

Phase 1: Environment Verification

Before executing any Codex command, verify the environment:

# Check if Codex CLI is installed
codex --version 2>/dev/null || echo "CODEX_NOT_INSTALLED"

# Check for API key (just verify it exists, don't expose)
[ -n "$OPENAI_API_KEY" ] && echo "API_KEY_SET" || echo "API_KEY_NOT_SET"

# Check git status (ensure we can rollback)
git status --porcelain

If Codex is not installed, provide installation instructions:

npm install -g @openai/codex
# or
pnpm add -g @openai/codex

Phase 2: Task Analysis

Parse the user's arguments to determine:

  1. Task Description - The coding task to delegate to Codex
  2. Execution Mode - yolo, auto, or safe (default: auto)
  3. Timeout - Maximum execution time (default: 1800 seconds)
  4. Additional Options - Extra directories, model preferences, etc.

Argument Parsing:

  • Extract --mode=<value> if present, default to auto
  • Extract --timeout=<value> if present, default to 1800
  • Extract --add-dir=<path> if present
  • Remaining text is the task description

Phase 3: Mode Selection & Command Construction

IMPORTANT: Use codex exec for non-interactive execution (not just codex).

Based on parsed arguments, construct the appropriate Codex command:

YOLO Mode (--mode=yolo)

codex exec --dangerously-bypass-approvals-and-sandbox "<task>"

WARNING: Only use in hardened environments (Docker, VM, CI/CD)

Auto Mode (--mode=auto) - Default

codex exec --full-auto "<task>"

Equivalent to: --sandbox workspace-write --ask-for-approval on-request

Safe Mode (--mode=safe)

codex exec -s workspace-write "<task>"

Uses workspace-write sandbox with default approval policy.

Phase 4: Execution

Execute the constructed command:

# Example execution pattern
codex exec --full-auto "Your task description here" 2>&1

Key Points:

  • Always use codex exec for non-interactive (automated) execution
  • Capture both stdout and stderr
  • Monitor for timeout conditions
  • The command may take several seconds to minutes depending on task complexity

Phase 5: Result Collection

After execution, gather results:

# Check what files changed
git diff --name-only

# Show summary of changes
git diff --stat

# Show detailed changes (if manageable size)
git diff

Phase 6: Report Generation

Generate a comprehensive report including:

  1. Execution Summary

    • Mode used
    • Task sent to Codex
    • Execution status (success/failure)
    • Tokens used (if available from output)

  2. Changes Made

    • List of modified files
    • Summary of changes per file
    • New files created
    • Files deleted

  3. Codex Output

    • Relevant messages from Codex
    • Any warnings or errors encountered
    • Model used

  4. Verification Steps

    • How to test the changes
    • Recommended manual review areas
    • Suggested follow-up actions

  5. Rollback Instructions

    # If changes are problematic, rollback with:
git checkout -- .
# or reset to last commit:
git reset --hard HEAD

Error Handling

Codex Not Installed

Codex CLI is not installed.

To install, run:
  npm install -g @openai/codex

Or with pnpm:
  pnpm add -g @openai/codex

API Key Not Configured

OpenAI API key not found.

Set your API key:
  # Windows PowerShell
  $env:OPENAI_API_KEY = "your-api-key"

  # Bash/Zsh
  export OPENAI_API_KEY="your-api-key"

Execution Timeout

Codex execution timed out after {timeout} seconds.

Consider:
1. Breaking the task into smaller steps
2. Increasing timeout: /codex --timeout=600 <task>
3. Using a more specific task description

stdin is not a terminal

This error occurs when using `codex` directly instead of `codex exec`.

Solution: The skill uses `codex exec` for non-interactive execution.

Best Practices

  1. Use Git - Always ensure your workspace is a git repository
  2. Clean State - Commit or stash changes before running Codex
  3. Start Safe - Use safe mode for unfamiliar tasks, escalate as needed
  4. Be Specific - Provide detailed task descriptions with file paths
  5. Verify Results - Always review Codex's changes before committing
  6. Backup First - For critical code, create a branch before execution

Security Considerations

  • YOLO mode bypasses all safety measures - use only in isolated environments
  • API keys should never be committed to version control
  • Code review is essential even for AI-generated changes
  • Access scope - Prefer minimal sandbox levels when possible

Integration with Claude Workflow

This skill works seamlessly with other Claude skills:

# Use Codex for implementation, then review with Claude
/codex Implement the payment processing module
/review Check the new payment module for security issues

# Debug with Claude, fix with Codex
/debug Investigate the authentication failure
/codex --mode=safe Fix the authentication token validation bug

# Plan with Claude, implement with Codex
/code Plan the new API structure
/codex Implement the planned API endpoints