| 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 |
| license | MIT |
| compatibility | Requires Codex CLI installed |
| metadata | {"author":"ethanolivertroy","version":"1.0.0"} |
| allowed-tools | Bash(codex:*) AskUserQuestion |
Codex Skill Guide
This skill enables the use of Codex CLI for code analysis, refactoring, and automated editing tasks.
When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when the user:
- Asks to run Codex CLI commands (
codex exec, codex resume)
- References OpenAI Codex for code analysis
- Needs automated code refactoring
- Wants AI-powered code editing
Running a Task
- Ask the user (via
AskUserQuestion) which model to run (gpt-5.2-codex or gpt-5.2) AND which reasoning effort to use (xhigh, high, medium, or low) in a single prompt with two questions.
- 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="<xhigh|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
- Don't use any configuration flags unless explicitly requested by the user (e.g., if they specify the model or reasoning effort when requesting to resume)
- Resume syntax:
echo "your prompt here" | codex exec --skip-git-repo-check resume --last 2>/dev/null
- All flags must 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" \ |
| Run from another directory | Match task needs | -C <DIR> plus other flags 2>/dev/null |
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.
Examples
Read-only Analysis
codex exec --skip-git-repo-check \
-m gpt-5.2-codex \
--config model_reasoning_effort="high" \
--sandbox read-only \
"Analyze the code structure and identify potential improvements" \
2>/dev/null
Apply Edits
codex exec --skip-git-repo-check \
-m gpt-5.2 \
--config model_reasoning_effort="medium" \
--sandbox workspace-write \
--full-auto \
"Refactor the authentication module to use async/await" \
2>/dev/null
Resume Session
echo "Now add error handling to the refactored code" | \
codex exec --skip-git-repo-check resume --last 2>/dev/null
Notes
- Thinking tokens are suppressed by default using
2>/dev/null
- Always use
--skip-git-repo-check to avoid repository validation issues
- The
--full-auto flag allows Codex to make changes without confirmation
- Resume sessions inherit settings from the original session