| name | delegation-autopilot |
| description | In Codex interactive mode, call delegate_autopilot automatically for multi-step or cross-cutting requests (including research-only), otherwise work normally. |
| delegator_exclude | true |
Delegation autopilot (parent-agent only)
This skill is meant for the parent Codex agent in interactive mode.
Prerequisites (avoid common first-run failures)
Delegated runs can take minutes. If tool calls fail around ~60s with an error like timed out awaiting tools/call after 60s, increase the MCP tool timeout for this server in ${CODEX_HOME:-~/.codex}/config.toml:
[mcp_servers.codex-specialized-subagents]
tool_timeout_sec = 600
When to call delegate_autopilot
- The user request is multi-step ("and", "then", "also", "plus") or touches multiple areas (code + tests + docs).
- The change is cross-cutting (multiple files/modules) or likely needs specialist attention (security/perf/research).
- The user explicitly asks to delegate / use subagents.
Default rules:
- If the request includes code changes and (tests or docs), call
delegate_autopilot before running shell commands or editing files.
- If the request is multi-step research-only and you want consistent “scan/implement/verify” decomposition or per-job
thinking_level behavior, call delegate_autopilot with sandbox="read-only".
When not to call
- The user is asking a simple question or wants a short explanation.
- The change is tiny and local (single file, trivial edit) and you can do it directly.
How to call (minimal)
Call MCP tool delegate_autopilot with:
task: the user request (verbatim)cwd: current workspace directory (optional; defaults are OK)
Optional knobs:
sandbox: use "workspace-write" when you want subagents to edit files; "read-only" for analysis-only delegation; avoid "danger-full-access" unless absolutely necessary.max_agents: default 3 (use 1 when you want a single subagent run).skills_mode: default "auto" (use "none" to disable skill selection).
After calling
- If
structuredContent.decision.should_delegate is false: continue normally without delegation.
- Otherwise: use
structuredContent.aggregate as the consolidated result, and inspect structuredContent.run_dir for artifacts.
If you choose delegate_run anyway
- If you need higher/lower reasoning for a one-off run, pass
reasoning_effort (or a model_reasoning_effort=... entry in config_overrides).
- If you want a default for manual runs, set
CODEX_DELEGATE_REASONING_EFFORT on the MCP server process.
Safety
- Never paste secrets from
${CODEX_HOME:-~/.codex} or any local config.
- Avoid pasting full
codex mcp list output or entire config files; redact anything that looks like a token/key.
- Do not recurse: delegated subagents must not call any
delegate_* tools.
