c127062b40
Update FAQ, improve general structure for config, add more links across the sections in the documentation, remove out of date and duplicate content and better explain certain concepts such as approvals and sandboxing.
2.7 KiB
FAQ
This FAQ highlights the most common questions and points you to the right deep-dive guides in docs/.
OpenAI released a model called Codex in 2021 - is this related?
In 2021, OpenAI released Codex, an AI system designed to generate code from natural language prompts. That original Codex model was deprecated as of March 2023 and is separate from the CLI tool.
Which models are supported?
We recommend using Codex with GPT-5 Codex, our best coding model. The default reasoning level is medium, and you can upgrade to high for complex tasks with the /model command.
You can also use older models by using API-based auth and launching codex with the --model flag.
How do approvals and sandbox modes work together?
Approvals are the mechanism Codex uses to ask before running a tool call with elevated permissions - typically to leave the sandbox or re-run a failed command without isolation. Sandbox mode provides the baseline isolation (Read Only, Workspace Write, or Danger Full Access; see Sandbox & approvals).
Can I automate tasks without the TUI?
Yes. codex exec runs Codex in non-interactive mode with streaming logs, JSONL output, and structured schema support. The command respects the same sandbox and approval settings you configure in the Config guide.
How do I stop Codex from editing my files?
By default, Codex can modify files in your current working directory (Auto mode). To prevent edits, run codex in read-only mode with the CLI flag --sandbox read-only. Alternatively, you can change the approval level mid-conversation with /approvals.
How do I connect Codex to MCP servers?
Configure MCP servers through your config.toml using the examples in Config -> Connecting to MCP servers.
I'm having trouble logging in. What should I check?
Confirm your setup in three steps:
- Walk through the auth flows in Authentication to ensure the correct credentials are present in
~/.codex/auth.json. - If you're on a headless or remote machine, make sure port-forwarding is configured as described in Authentication -> Connecting on a "Headless" Machine.
Does it work on Windows?
Running Codex directly on Windows may work, but is not officially supported. We recommend using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2).
Where should I start after installation?
Follow the quick setup in Install & build and then jump into Getting started for interactive usage tips, prompt examples, and AGENTS.md guidance.