Skip to content

Codex Desktop terminal fails before PowerShell starts: helper_unknown_error #31848

Description

@aalmkhlafi77-sudo

What version of the Codex App are you using (From “About Codex” dialog)?

26.623.141536

What subscription do you have?

plus

What platform is your computer?

Windows11

What issue are you seeing?

Hello OpenAI Support,

I’m experiencing an issue with Codex Desktop on Windows. Codex cannot run any terminal command at all. The failure happens before PowerShell or cmd starts.

Even this simple command fails inside Codex:

Write-Output "terminal-ok"

The error shown is:

Failed to create unified exec process:
helper_unknown_error: setup refresh had errors

Sometimes it also appears as:

helper_unknown_error: setup refresh had errors

The important point is that the failure happens before PowerShell starts.

Environment:

  • OS: Windows 11
  • App: Codex Desktop
  • Project path I was trying to use:
    C:\Users\هواوي\Desktop\Rakan-Accounts
  • Project type: Flutter Windows Desktop app
  • Flutter works normally from VS Code Terminal
  • PowerShell works normally outside Codex
  • flutter test works successfully from VS Code Terminal
  • The project itself does not appear to be the cause

What I tested:

  1. I tried a simple command inside Codex:
    Write-Output "terminal-ok"
    It failed before PowerShell started.

  2. I tried a new Codex session/thread.
    The same error occurred.

  3. I tested from a simple folder, not only the project folder.
    The same error occurred.

  4. I tried cmd instead of PowerShell.
    It also failed before cmd started.

  5. Stitch MCP had already been removed earlier, so it does not appear to be the cause.

  6. I temporarily disabled/removed node_repl MCP.
    The issue was not fixed.
    After restarting Codex, node_repl returned automatically, which suggests it is an internal component recreated by Codex.

  7. Codex did not modify the project because the terminal/helper never started.

  8. Outside Codex, everything works:

    • PowerShell works
    • VS Code Terminal works
    • flutter test works
    • flutter run works

Conclusion:
This appears to be an issue with Codex Desktop runtime/helper or the unified exec process, not with the Flutter project, PowerShell, or Windows terminal.

Request:
Please provide official safe steps to repair Codex Desktop runtime/helper without losing:

  • my settings
  • sessions
  • project permissions
  • MCP configuration
  • important local data

I prefer not to delete folders such as .codex or reinstall the app before receiving official guidance.

Is there an official way to rebuild the Codex runtime/helper or repair the unified exec process?
Can you provide safe diagnostic or repair steps?

What steps can reproduce the bug?

Feedback ID: no-active-thread-019f4817-c58d-7371-b25d-ae8092df05a6

What is the expected behavior?

No response

Additional information

No response

Metadata

Metadata

Assignees

No one assigned

    Labels

    appIssues related to the Codex desktop appbugSomething isn't workingtool-callsIssues related to tool callingwindows-osIssues related to Codex on Windows systems

    Type

    No type

    Fields

    No fields configured for issues without a type.

    Projects

    No projects

    Milestone

    No milestone

    Relationships

    None yet

    Development

    No branches or pull requests

    Issue actions