
codex
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-5.2 by default for state-of-the-art software engineering.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/softaworks/agent-toolkit --skill codex- 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 automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
Security audits
Independent scans of the skill's instructions and bundled files.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Codex Skill Guide
Running a Task
- Default to
gpt-5.2model. Ask the user (viaAskUserQuestion) which reasoning effort to use (xhigh,high,medium, orlow). User can override model if needed (see Model Options below). - Select the sandbox mode required for the task; default to
--sandbox read-onlyunless 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 --lastvia stdin. When resuming don't use any configuration flags unless explicitly requested by the user e.g. if he species 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/nullto allcodex execcommands 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-5.2-max | Max model: Ultra-complex reasoning, deep problem analysis | 400K input / 128K output | 76.3% SWE-bench, adaptive reasoning, $1.25/$10.00 |
gpt-5.2 ⭐ | Flagship model: Software engineering, agentic coding workflows | 400K input / 128K output | 76.3% SWE-bench, adaptive reasoning, $1.25/$10.00 |
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 |
GPT-5.2 Advantages: 76.3% SWE-bench (vs 72.8% GPT-5), 30% faster on average tasks, better tool handling, reduced hallucinations, improved code quality. Knowledge cutoff: September 30, 2024.
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
codexcommand, immediately useAskUserQuestionto confirm next steps, collect clarifications, or decide whether to resume withcodex 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 --versionor acodex execcommand 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 Codex CLI v0.57.0 or later for GPT-5.2 model support. The CLI defaults to gpt-5.2 on macOS/Linux and gpt-5.2 on Windows. Check version: codex --version
Use /model slash command within a Codex session to switch models, or configure default in ~/.codex/config.toml.
FAQ
What does the codex skill do?
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-5.2 by default for state-of-the-art software engineering.
How do I install codex?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/softaworks/agent-toolkit --skill codex 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/ (personal) or .claude/skills/codex/ (project).
Which AI agents can use codex?
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 safe to install?
Security partners have reviewed it: Gen Agent Trust Hub flagged items to review; Socket passed; Snyk passed; Runlayer flagged risks; ZeroLeaks passed. As with any skill, read the SKILL.md and bundled scripts before installing.
Who maintains codex?
It is published by softaworks in softaworks/agent-toolkit. It has 4,073 recorded installs.
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