Global Options

Global command-line options available across all Codex CLI commands

Overview

Global options can be used with any Codex CLI command. They are processed before subcommands and affect the behavior of the entire CLI session.

Configuration Override

-c, --config · string

Override configuration values using key=value pairs. Can be specified multiple times.

Examples:

codex -c model=gpt-4.1 -c sandbox_mode=workspace-write
codex exec -c features.js_repl=true "test the app"

Common configuration keys:

• model - Override the AI model
• sandbox_mode - Control sandbox restrictions
• approval_policy - Set approval mode
• features.<name> - Toggle feature flags

Profile Selection

-p, --profile · string

Select a configuration profile from config.toml

Example:

codex --profile production
codex exec --profile experimental "refactor utils"

Profiles allow you to maintain different sets of configuration for different use cases (development, production, experimental, etc.).

Working Directory

-C, --cwd · path

Change the working directory before executing the command

Example:

codex -C /path/to/project "fix tests"
codex --cwd ~/projects/app exec "run linter"

Model Selection

-m, --model · string

Specify the AI model to use for the session

Example:

codex -m gpt-4.1
codex --model o4-mini "explain this code"

Common models:

• o4-mini - Fast, efficient reasoning model (default)
• gpt-4.1 - Advanced reasoning and coding
• o3 - Advanced reasoning model with extended thinking

Open Source Models

--oss · boolean

Use open-source models instead of proprietary models

Example:

codex --oss "help me debug"

Sandbox Control

--sandbox · enum

Control the sandbox mode for command execution

Options:

• workspace-write - Allow writes within the workspace directory
• full-access - Allow full filesystem access (use with caution)

Example:

codex --sandbox workspace-write
codex exec --sandbox full-access "system diagnostic"

Approval Policy

--ask-for-approval · enum

Set when the agent should ask for approval before executing commands

Options:

• on-request - Ask for approval when the agent requests it
• always - Always ask before executing any command
• never - Never ask (use with caution)

Example:

codex --ask-for-approval always
codex exec --ask-for-approval never "run tests"

--full-auto · boolean

Enable fully automatic mode (equivalent to --ask-for-approval never)

Example:

codex --full-auto "create a todo app"

In full-auto mode, commands execute automatically. Use in sandboxed environments or Git-tracked directories.

--dangerously-bypass-approvals-and-sandbox · boolean

Bypass both approval prompts and sandbox restrictions

DANGEROUS: This option removes all safety guardrails. Only use in completely isolated test environments.

Web Search

--search · boolean

Enable web search capabilities for the agent

Example:

codex --search "find the latest React best practices"

Image Input

-i, --images · string

Provide image files as input (comma-separated paths)

Example:

codex -i screenshot.png "implement this UI"
codex --images "design.png,mockup.png" "create components"

Directory Context

--add-dir · string

Add directories to the agent’s context (can be specified multiple times)

Example:

codex --add-dir src --add-dir tests
codex --add-dir lib "explain the architecture"

Version Information

--version · boolean

Display the Codex CLI version

Example:

codex --version

--help · boolean

Display help information

Example:

codex --help
codex exec --help

Combining Options

Global options can be combined to create powerful workflows:

High-Performance Dev Mode

codex -m gpt-4.1 --profile dev -C ~/project --search

Order of Precedence

When the same option is specified in multiple places, Codex uses this priority:

1. Command-line flags (highest priority)
2. -c config overrides
3. Environment variables
4. Profile settings (from --profile)
5. config.toml base configuration
6. Built-in defaults (lowest priority)

Related

Feature Flags

Enable experimental features

Configuration

Learn about config.toml