| name | codex-cli |
| description | Reference for Codex CLI usage patterns. Consult before calling codex via Bash. |
Codex CLI Reference
Quick reference for Codex CLI commands.
Basic Command
codex exec "[prompt]" -m gpt-5.2 --reasoning-effort high --sandbox read-only --ask-for-approval never 2>&1
Common Flags
| Flag | Purpose |
|---|---|
exec |
Non-interactive execution mode |
-m gpt-5.2 |
Model selection |
--reasoning-effort high |
Reasoning effort (minimal, low, medium, high, xhigh) |
--sandbox read-only |
Prevent file modifications |
--sandbox workspace-write |
Allow writes within workspace |
--ask-for-approval never |
Non-interactive mode |
--search |
Enable web search |
-C DIR |
Set working directory |
Session Continuation
# Resume a previous session
codex resume [session-id] "[prompt]" --sandbox read-only --ask-for-approval never 2>&1
Note: Session IDs are returned in Codex output.
Bash Execution Notes
- Use
dangerouslyDisableSandbox: truefor Bash calls - Always append
2>&1to capture all output - Use timeout of 300000ms (5 min) or longer for complex tasks
Safety Requirements
NEVER use these flags:
--dangerously-bypass-approvals-and-sandbox- FORBIDDEN--sandbox danger-full-access- FORBIDDEN
Troubleshooting
Timeout: Complex analysis may take 5-10 minutes. Use longer timeout values.
Authentication: Codex CLI must be authenticated via codex login.
Flag errors: Run codex --help to verify correct flag usage.
More Information
- CLI reference:
codex --help - Official docs: https://github.com/openai/codex