| argument-hint | <query> [--reasoning <level>] |
| disable-model-invocation | false |
| name | oracle-codex |
| user-invocable | true |
| description | This skill should be used when the user asks to "use Codex", "ask Codex", "consult Codex", "use GPT for planning", "ask GPT to review", "get GPT's opinion", "what does GPT think", "second opinion on code", "consult the oracle", "ask the oracle", or mentions using an AI oracle for planning or code review. NOT for implementation tasks. |
Codex Oracle
Use OpenAI Codex CLI as a read-only oracle — planning, review, and analysis only. Codex provides its perspective; you synthesize and present results to the user.
Sandbox is always read-only. Codex must never implement changes.
Arguments
Parse $ARGUMENTS for:
- query — the main question or task (everything not a flag). Required — if empty, tell the user to provide a query and stop.
--reasoning <level> — override reasoning effort (low, medium, high, xhigh). Optional; default is auto-selected based on complexity.
Prerequisites
Run the check script before any Codex invocation:
scripts/check-codex.sh
If it exits non-zero, display the error and stop. Use the wrapper for all codex exec calls:
scripts/run-codex-exec.sh
Configuration
| Setting | Default | Override |
|---|
| Model | gpt-5.3-codex | Allowlist only (see references/codex-flags.md) |
| Reasoning | Auto | --reasoning <level> or user prose |
| Sandbox | read-only | Not overridable |
Reasoning Effort
| Complexity | Effort | Timeout | Criteria |
|---|
| Simple | low | 300000ms | <3 files, quick question |
| Moderate | medium | 300000ms | 3–10 files, focused analysis |
| Complex | high | 600000ms | Multi-module, architectural thinking |
| Maximum | xhigh | 600000ms | Full codebase, critical decisions |
For xhigh tasks that may exceed 10 minutes, use run_in_background: true on the Bash tool and set CODEX_OUTPUT so you can read the output later.
See references/codex-flags.md for full flag documentation.
Workflow
1. Parse and Validate
- Parse
$ARGUMENTS for query and --reasoning
- Run
scripts/check-codex.sh — abort on failure
- Assess complexity to select reasoning effort (unless overridden)
2. Construct Prompt
Build a focused prompt from the user's query and any relevant context (diffs, file contents, prior conversation). Keep it direct — state what you want Codex to analyze and what kind of output you need. Do not implement; request analysis and recommendations only.
3. Execute
Invoke via the wrapper with HEREDOC. Set the Bash tool timeout per the reasoning effort table above.
EFFORT="<effort>" \
CODEX_OUTPUT="/tmp/codex-${RANDOM}${RANDOM}.txt" \
scripts/run-codex-exec.sh <<'EOF'
[constructed prompt]
EOF
For xhigh, consider run_in_background: true on the Bash tool call, then read CODEX_OUTPUT when done.
4. Present Results
Read the output file and present with attribution:
## Codex Analysis
[Codex output — summarize if >200 lines]
---
Model: gpt-5.3-codex | Reasoning: [effort level]
Synthesize key insights and actionable items for the user.
