openclaw/codex-bridge

Codex Bridge

Delegate coding tasks from OpenClaw to the local codex CLI and manage them asynchronously. This skill provides a file-based bridge so OpenClaw can:

• dispatch tasks
• poll status and recent output
• relay clarifying questions
• send answers
• collect final results

When to Use

• Build scripts (Python, Bash, etc.)
• Implement or refactor code in an existing project
• Run larger multi-file coding tasks in the background
• Delegate coding work while keeping OpenClaw responsive
• Handle tasks that may require clarifying questions mid-run

When NOT to Use

• Quick factual questions or explanations
• Small code snippets that OpenClaw can write directly
• Non-coding tasks
• Tasks that should not invoke a local coding agent/CLI

Dispatch a Task

~/.openclaw/skills/codex-bridge/codex-bridge-dispatch.sh \
  --task-id <descriptive-name> \
  --workdir <project-directory> \
  --prompt "<detailed coding task>"

Prompt Writing

Include:

• what to build/fix
• file paths if known
• expected behavior/output
• language/framework preferences
• constraints (tests, style, no new deps, etc.)

Example:

~/.openclaw/skills/codex-bridge/codex-bridge-dispatch.sh \
  --task-id scripts-csv-parser \
  --workdir ~/projects/data-tools \
  --prompt "Create parse_orders.py. Read orders CSV, keep shipped rows, group by customer_id, and write summary CSV with columns customer_id, order_count, total_amount. Use pandas. Add basic CLI args and error handling."

Check Status

~/.openclaw/skills/codex-bridge/codex-bridge-status.sh --task-id <id>

Common status commands:

~/.openclaw/skills/codex-bridge/codex-bridge-status.sh --list
~/.openclaw/skills/codex-bridge/codex-bridge-status.sh --task-id <id> --output
~/.openclaw/skills/codex-bridge/codex-bridge-status.sh --task-id <id> --question
~/.openclaw/skills/codex-bridge/codex-bridge-status.sh --task-id <id> --result
~/.openclaw/skills/codex-bridge/codex-bridge-status.sh --task-id <id> --log

Answer Clarifying Questions

When status is waiting_for_answer, read the pending question and send a response:

~/.openclaw/skills/codex-bridge/codex-bridge-status.sh --task-id <id> --question
~/.openclaw/skills/codex-bridge/codex-bridge-answer.sh --task-id <id> --answer "<answer text>"

The bridge resumes the same Codex session after the answer is written.

Workflow

1. Dispatch task with a clear prompt.
2. Report the task ID.
3. Poll status/output periodically.
4. If status becomes waiting_for_answer, read --question, relay to user, then write answer with --answer.
5. When status is complete, read --result and summarize outcomes.
6. If status is error, inspect --log and --output.

Notes and Limits

• Uses the local codex CLI (codex exec and codex exec resume).
• Clarifying questions are implemented via a lightweight text marker protocol in the prompt wrapper.
• Bridge state is stored in ~/.codex-bridge/tasks/<task-id>/.
• Commands run via Codex in the specified --workdir.
• For unattended runs, the bridge times out after 10 minutes waiting for an answer and resumes with a default/sensible fallback.