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.

Audits

Pass

Install

openclaw skills install openai-codex-operator

OpenAI Codex Operator

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 <feature> 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