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Codex Desktop cron automation hangs on load_workspace_dependencies, while the same call succeeds in foreground tasks #38671

Description

@cloudinjun

Environment

  • Windows, Codex Desktop
  • Local standalone cron automation
  • Workspace runtime bundle: 26.813.12317
  • Time zone: America/Los_Angeles

Issue

A daily local automation needs the spreadsheet runtime before updating an XLSX file. In standalone automation threads, codex_app__load_workspace_dependencies starts but never returns. The same call returns immediately in a normal foreground Codex task using the same project.

Occurrences

  • Aug 11, 2026: two attempts, both hung for more than 2 minutes
  • Aug 12, 2026: timed out after 20 seconds
  • Aug 13, 2026: hung for approximately 38 seconds
  • Aug 14, 2026: hung for approximately 88 seconds

Expected

The loader should return the runtime paths, or return a retryable “not ready” error.

Actual

The tool remains indefinitely pending as:

Script running with cell ID …

Impact

Web research completes, but the spreadsheet cannot be updated because the spreadsheet runtime is mandatory and alternative Excel libraries are prohibited. Results are accumulating in a pending backfill queue.

Likely cause

A startup/readiness race in standalone automation threads: the automation begins before the Codex workspace-dependency provider is registered or warmed up.

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

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