Getting started with Codex

The podcast introduces Codex, OpenAI's coding agent, highlighting its capabilities and integration into developer workflows. It covers the installation and setup of Codex, emphasizing the use of AgentsMD for project context and config.toml for customization. Best practices for prompting Codex are discussed, alongside CLI and IDE tips. The speakers share examples of Codex being used for code reviews, Slack integrations, and custom SDK integrations. They also explore advanced use cases like security triage, test coverage bots, and automated release hygiene, demonstrating how Codex can streamline various aspects of the software development lifecycle.

Outlines

Part 1: Introduction, Overview

Part 2: Installation, Setup

Part 3: Context Management, AgentsMD

Part 4: Configuration, Customization

Part 5: Prompting, Practical Usage

Part 6: MCP, Tool Integration

Part 7: Advanced Workflows, Automation

Part 8: Resources, Conclusion

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OpenAI

Part 1: Introduction, Overview

00:07Introduction to Codex: OpenAI's Coding Agent for Developers

Introduction to Codex: OpenAI's Coding Agent for Developers

00:46Codex Session Agenda: Installation, AgentsMD, Prompting, and Advanced Use Cases

Codex Session Agenda: Installation, AgentsMD, Prompting, and Advanced Use Cases

01:19Codex Clients and Integrations: CLI, IDE Extension, and SDK

Codex Clients and Integrations: CLI, IDE Extension, and SDK

02:36Codex Models and AI-Native Engineering Teams

Codex Models and AI-Native Engineering Teams

Part 2: Installation, Setup

04:01Installing Codex CLI: Brew, NPM, and GitHub Releases

Installing Codex CLI: Brew, NPM, and GitHub Releases

05:18Installing and Signing into Codex IDE Extension

Installing and Signing into Codex IDE Extension

06:44Codex CLI Commands and Setting Up AgentsMD

Codex CLI Commands and Setting Up AgentsMD

Part 3: Context Management, AgentsMD

08:34AgentsMD: Providing Context for Coding Agents

AgentsMD: Providing Context for Coding Agents

11:17Unlocking Agentic Loops and Task-Specific Guidance with AgentsMD

Unlocking Agentic Loops and Task-Specific Guidance with AgentsMD

13:19Planning Templates with plans.md for Large Tasks

Planning Templates with plans.md for Large Tasks

Part 4: Configuration, Customization

14:10Customizing Codex with the config.toml File

Customizing Codex with the config.toml File

16:20Approval Policy and Sandbox Mode Configurations

Approval Policy and Sandbox Mode Configurations

Part 5: Prompting, Practical Usage

17:14Prompting Best Practices: Anchoring, Small Tasks, and Verification

Prompting Best Practices: Anchoring, Small Tasks, and Verification

19:36Starter Tasks and Customizing Reasoning Effort

Starter Tasks and Customizing Reasoning Effort

20:55VS Code Integration: Read-Only Prompts and Codebase Exploration

VS Code Integration: Read-Only Prompts and Codebase Exploration

24:28Modifying Existing Functionality with Codex in VS Code

Modifying Existing Functionality with Codex in VS Code

26:30CLI and IDE Tips: Pointing to Specific Files

CLI and IDE Tips: Pointing to Specific Files

27:50Using To-Dos and Image Examples in Codex IDE

Using To-Dos and Image Examples in Codex IDE

29:50Resuming Codex Sessions and Generating Mermaid Sequence Diagrams

Resuming Codex Sessions and Generating Mermaid Sequence Diagrams

31:34Web Search Configuration and Custom Commands

Web Search Configuration and Custom Commands

Part 6: MCP, Tool Integration

33:19MCP: Connecting Models to Additional Tools and Context

MCP: Connecting Models to Additional Tools and Context

35:48Cupcake MCP Example: Adding a Global MCP Server

Cupcake MCP Example: Adding a Global MCP Server

37:00Using the Cupcake MCP to Fetch Rachel's Cupcake Order

Using the Cupcake MCP to Fetch Rachel's Cupcake Order

39:01Context 7 MCP: Accessing Up-to-Date Documentation

Context 7 MCP: Accessing Up-to-Date Documentation

40:13Custom Instructions in Global AgentsMD for Context 7

Custom Instructions in Global AgentsMD for Context 7

Part 7: Advanced Workflows, Automation

42:51Code Review with Codex: CLI and IDE Options

Code Review with Codex: CLI and IDE Options

45:57Advanced Use Cases: Programmatic Codex with Codex Exec

Advanced Use Cases: Programmatic Codex with Codex Exec

47:01Building with Codex Exec: Security Triage and Test Coverage Bots

Building with Codex Exec: Security Triage and Test Coverage Bots

48:59Multi-Step Workflows with OpenAI Agents SDK and Codex

Multi-Step Workflows with OpenAI Agents SDK and Codex

50:30On-Prem Code Review and Auto-Fix CI with Codex

On-Prem Code Review and Auto-Fix CI with Codex

Part 8: Resources, Conclusion

52:01Additional Resources and Closing Remarks

Additional Resources and Closing Remarks