codex-subagents
Spawn background subagents for parallel or long-running tasks. Use when you need research threads, context isolation, or detached execution.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/obra/external-subagents --skill codex-subagents- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads codex-subagents automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Codex Subagents
Overview
codex-subagent offloads work to background threads so your main context stays lean. Threads run detached by default; use wait/peek to check results.
Critical rules:
- You cannot send to a running thread. Always wait before sending follow-ups.
- Use
--permissions read-onlyor--permissions workspace-write(notworkspace-read)
For detailed workflow documentation, see reference/workflow.md.
When to Use
| Situation | Why subagents help |
|---|---|
| Parallel research tasks | Multiple threads run simultaneously |
| Context would bloat | Research stays in separate thread |
| Long-running work | Detached execution, check later |
Don't use for: Quick inline questions, tightly-coupled work needing your current state.
Core Workflow
1. start with --prompt (inline text or stdin)
2. wait/peek → check result
3. send → resume with follow-up (ONLY after thread stops)
4. archive/clean → lifecycle management
The Running Thread Rule
You CANNOT send to a running thread. This is the #1 mistake.
# WRONG - thread might still be running
echo "followup" | codex-subagent send thread-abc --prompt -
# RIGHT - wait first, then send
codex-subagent wait --threads thread-abc
echo "followup" | codex-subagent send thread-abc --prompt -
Resumable statuses: completed, failed, stopped, waiting
Quick Reference
| Command | Purpose | Key flags |
|---|---|---|
start | Launch new thread | --role, --permissions, --prompt, --label, -w |
send | Resume stopped thread | <thread-id>, --prompt, -w |
peek | Read newest unseen message | <thread-id>, --save-response |
log | Full history | <thread-id>, --tail, --json |
status | Thread summary | <thread-id> |
wait | Block until threads stop | --threads, --labels, --all, --follow-last |
list | Show threads | --status, --label, --role |
archive | Move completed to archive | --completed, --yes, --dry-run |
clean | Delete old archives | --older-than-days, --yes |
Prompt input: --prompt "text" for simple prompts, --prompt - reads from stdin (for multi-line), -f/--prompt-file for files
Positional thread IDs: peek abc123 works like peek -t abc123
Common Patterns
Simple inline prompt
codex-subagent start --role researcher --permissions read-only \
--label "quick-task" --prompt "List all exported functions in src/lib/"
Multi-line prompt (heredoc)
cat <<'EOF' | codex-subagent start --role researcher --permissions read-only --label "auth-research" --prompt -
Research authentication patterns in this codebase:
1. Find all auth-related files
2. Document the auth flow
3. Note any security concerns
EOF
Parallel research
# Launch multiple researchers
cat <<'EOF' | codex-subagent start --role researcher --permissions read-only --label "API: Stripe" --prompt -
Research Stripe API authentication methods and best practices
EOF
cat <<'EOF' | codex-subagent start --role researcher --permissions read-only --label "API: Twilio" --prompt -
Research Twilio API authentication methods and best practices
EOF
# Wait for all, see results
codex-subagent wait --labels "API:" --follow-last
Blocking task
# -w blocks until complete (may take minutes)
cat <<'EOF' | codex-subagent start --role researcher --permissions read-only --prompt - -w --save-response result.txt
Analyze error handling patterns in src/
EOF
cat result.txt
Warning: -w blocks for as long as the agent runs. For long tasks, prefer detached mode with wait --follow-last.
Cleanup old work
# Two-phase: archive completed, then clean old archives
codex-subagent archive --completed --yes
codex-subagent clean --older-than-days 30 --yes
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "profile does not exist" | Wrong permissions | Use read-only or workspace-write (not workspace-read) |
| "not resumable" error | Thread still running | wait first, then send |
| "different controller" | Wrong session | Use --controller-id or check list |
| Thread disappeared | Was archived | Check archive dir or re-run task |
Checklist
-
starthas--role,--permissions,--prompt, and--label - Permissions are
read-onlyorworkspace-write -
waitbeforesend(never send to running thread) - Results captured with
--save-responseorpeek
FAQ
What does the codex-subagents skill do?
Spawn background subagents for parallel or long-running tasks. Use when you need research threads, context isolation, or detached execution.
How do I install codex-subagents?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/obra/external-subagents --skill codex-subagents in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/codex-subagents/ (personal) or .claude/skills/codex-subagents/ (project).
Which AI agents can use codex-subagents?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is codex-subagents safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains codex-subagents?
It is published by obra in obra/external-subagents. It has 105 recorded installs.
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