OpenAI Codex Operator

Run OpenAI Codex CLI from OpenClaw for coding tasks in a target project directory. Use when the user asks OpenClaw to use Codex for implementation, debugging, refactoring, review, or scripted coding workflows.

Use this skill to reliably call Codex CLI from OpenClaw.

Core rules

1. Verify Codex CLI exists (codex --version) before first task.
2. Always run Codex through OpenClaw exec with pty:true.
3. Always set explicit workdir to the target repository.
4. For long tasks, use background:true and track via process.
5. Report clear milestones: started, waiting-input, finished/failed.

Execution patterns

One-shot coding task

Use:

• exec.command: codex exec "<task>"
• exec.pty: true
• exec.workdir: <repo path>

Interactive session

Use:

• exec.command: codex
• exec.pty: true
• exec.workdir: <repo path>

Long-running background task

1. Start with exec(background:true, pty:true, workdir, command:"codex exec ...")
2. Record returned sessionId.
3. Poll with process action:poll.
4. Read output with process action:log.
5. If Codex asks for input, use process action:submit.

Recommended prompts

• "Implement with tests, run tests, and summarize changed files."
• "Find root cause for failing CI in this repo and propose minimal fix."
• "Review current branch diff and list high-risk issues first."

Guardrails

• Do not claim files were changed unless logs show completion.
• If codex is missing or auth fails, return exact remediation steps.
• Keep OpenClaw tool config (pty/workdir/background) separate from CLI args.

References

• references/codex-doc-summary.md
• references/codex-usage-recipes.md
• scripts/run-codex-example.sh