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 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