Codex Update Wrapper

A lightweight Bash wrapper for the Codex CLI that checks for npm updates, offers to install the latest version, and then launches Codex. Saves your from re-typing codex after the update.

Features

• Checks for new @openai/codex releases at startup
• Displays the installed and available versions
• Prompts before installing an update
• Skips update checks in non-interactive sessions
• Continues with the installed version if an update fails
• Supports custom Codex installation paths
• Can disable update checks when needed

Requirements

• Linux or WSL
• Bash
• Node.js and npm
• GNU timeout and sort
• Codex installed globally through npm

Install Codex with:

npm install -g @openai/codex

By default, the wrapper expects the official Codex executable at:

~/.local/share/npm-global/bin/codex

Installation

Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/DevilsNerve/codex-update-wrapper.git
cd codex-update-wrapper

Install the wrapper:

mkdir -p "$HOME/.local/bin"
install -m 755 codex "$HOME/.local/bin/codex"

Make sure ~/.local/bin appears before the npm global binary directory in your PATH.

Verify the active command:

type -a codex

The first result should be:

/home/YOUR_USERNAME/.local/bin/codex

Usage

Launch Codex normally:

codex

When an update is available, the wrapper displays:

Codex update available: 0.145.0 -> 0.146.0
Update now with npm install -g @openai/codex@latest? [Y/n]

Press Enter or type y to update. Type n to launch the currently installed version.

All command-line arguments are forwarded to the official Codex executable:

codex --help
codex --version

Configuration

Skip the update prompt

CODEX_SKIP_AUTO_UPDATE_PROMPT=1 codex

Use a different Codex executable

CODEX_UPSTREAM=/path/to/codex codex

Do not point CODEX_UPSTREAM to the wrapper itself, as that would create a launch loop.

Uninstall

Remove the wrapper:

rm "$HOME/.local/bin/codex"

This does not uninstall the official Codex CLI. To uninstall that separately:

npm uninstall -g @openai/codex

License

This project is available for personal and noncommercial use under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0.

Commercial use requires a separate written commercial license from DevilsNerve. Contact @DevilsNerve for commercial licensing.

Disclaimer

This is an independent community wrapper and is not an official OpenAI project.