| name | codex |
| description | Use when the user asks to run Codex CLI (codex exec, codex resume) or references OpenAI Codex for code analysis, refactoring, or automated editing. Uses GPT-5.5 by default for state-of-the-art software engineering. |
Codex Skill Guide
Running a Task
- Default to
gpt-5.5 model. Do not downgrade this default. Ask the user (via AskUserQuestion) which reasoning effort to use (xhigh,high, medium, or low). User can override model if needed (see Model Options below). Do not check the CLI for a model list; use this model table as the source of truth.
- Select the sandbox mode required for the task; default to
--sandbox read-only unless edits or network access are necessary.
- Assemble the command with the appropriate options:
-m, --model <MODEL>--config model_reasoning_effort="<high|medium|low>"--sandbox <read-only|workspace-write|danger-full-access>--full-auto-C, --cd <DIR>--skip-git-repo-check
- Always use --skip-git-repo-check.
- When continuing a previous session, use
codex exec --skip-git-repo-check resume --last via stdin. When resuming don't use any configuration flags unless explicitly requested by the user e.g. if they specify the model or the reasoning effort when requesting to resume a session. Resume syntax: echo "your prompt here" | codex exec --skip-git-repo-check resume --last 2>/dev/null. All flags have to be inserted between exec and resume.
- IMPORTANT: By default, append
2>/dev/null to all codex exec commands to suppress thinking tokens (stderr). Only show stderr if the user explicitly requests to see thinking tokens or if debugging is needed.
- Run the command, capture stdout/stderr (filtered as appropriate), and summarize the outcome for the user.
- After Codex completes, inform the user: "You can resume this Codex session at any time by saying 'codex resume' or asking me to continue with additional analysis or changes."
Quick Reference
| Use case | Sandbox mode | Key flags |
|---|
| Read-only review or analysis | read-only | --sandbox read-only 2>/dev/null |
| Apply local edits | workspace-write | --sandbox workspace-write --full-auto 2>/dev/null |
| Permit network or broad access | danger-full-access | --sandbox danger-full-access --full-auto 2>/dev/null |
| Resume recent session | Inherited from original | echo "prompt" | codex exec --skip-git-repo-check resume --last 2>/dev/null (no flags allowed) |
| Run from another directory | Match task needs | -C <DIR> plus other flags 2>/dev/null |
Model Options
| Model | Best for | Context window | Key features |
|---|
gpt-5.5 ⭐ | Default model: Frontier software engineering, agentic coding workflows | 400K input / 128K output | Use as the default for Codex unless Ryan explicitly overrides it |
gpt-5.2-max | Max model: Ultra-complex reasoning, deep problem analysis | 400K input / 128K output | Legacy fallback only if explicitly requested |
gpt-5.2 | Legacy flagship model: Software engineering, agentic coding workflows | 400K input / 128K output | Do not use as default |
gpt-5.3-spark | Fast model: quick analysis and rapid iteration | 400K input / 128K output | low-latency responses, high-throughput coding tasks |
gpt-5.2-mini | Cost-efficient coding (4x more usage allowance) | 400K input / 128K output | Near SOTA performance, $0.25/$2.00 |
gpt-5.1-thinking | Ultra-complex reasoning, deep problem analysis | 400K input / 128K output | Adaptive thinking depth, runs 2x slower on hardest tasks |
Default model rule: Ryan explicitly set the Codex default to gpt-5.5. Do not change or downgrade this default unless Ryan explicitly says to.
Reasoning Effort Levels:
xhigh - Ultra-complex tasks (deep problem analysis, complex reasoning, deep understanding of the problem)high - Complex tasks (refactoring, architecture, security analysis, performance optimization)medium - Standard tasks (refactoring, code organization, feature additions, bug fixes)low - Simple tasks (quick fixes, simple changes, code formatting, documentation)
Cached Input Discount: 90% off ($0.125/M tokens) for repeated context, cache lasts up to 24 hours.
Following Up
- After every
codex command, immediately use AskUserQuestion to confirm next steps, collect clarifications, or decide whether to resume with codex exec resume --last.
- When resuming, pipe the new prompt via stdin:
echo "new prompt" | codex exec resume --last 2>/dev/null. The resumed session automatically uses the same model, reasoning effort, and sandbox mode from the original session.
- Restate the chosen model, reasoning effort, and sandbox mode when proposing follow-up actions.
Error Handling
- Stop and report failures whenever
codex --version or a codex exec command exits non-zero; request direction before retrying.
- Before you use high-impact flags (
--full-auto, --sandbox danger-full-access, --skip-git-repo-check) ask the user for permission using AskUserQuestion unless it was already given.
- When output includes warnings or partial results, summarize them and ask how to adjust using
AskUserQuestion.
CLI Version
Requires a Codex CLI build that supports gpt-5.5. The configured local default must remain gpt-5.5. Check version: codex --version
Use /model slash command within a Codex session to switch models, or configure default in ~/.codex/config.toml.
