Codex tutorial

How to use Codex YOLO mode safely

Use Codex with skipped approvals in a controlled workspace, keep sandbox rails, and review every diff before keeping changes.

4 stepsYOLO modeSandboxed

Interactive tutorial

Quick command sequence

$ mkdir -p /tmp/codex-yolo-lab && cd /tmp/codex-yolo-lab && git init && codex exec --approval-mode never --sandbox workspace-write "Implement the requested change and run tests"

/en/tutorials/how-to-use-codex-yolo-mode-safely

Interactive command lab

1/4

Step 1

Create a disposable workspace

YOLO-style runs are useful for speed, but they should start in a disposable or clean Git-controlled workspace.

Checkpoint

If it is not committed or disposable, it is not YOLO-safe.

zsh — tutorial-lab

Command tray

$ mkdir -p /tmp/codex-yolo-lab && cd /tmp/codex-yolo-lab && git init

➜ Initialized empty Git repository

Commands are real HTML text: crawlable, selectable, and copyable.

Step-by-step instructions

1
Step
Create a disposable workspace
YOLO-style runs are useful for speed, but they should start in a disposable or clean Git-controlled workspace.
```
mkdir -p /tmp/codex-yolo-lab && cd /tmp/codex-yolo-lab && git init
```
2
Step
Start with a narrow task
Even in permissive mode, a narrow task reduces surprise edits and makes review faster.
```
codex exec --skip-git-repo-check "Create a tiny hello.ts script and run it"
```
3
Step
Use approval skipping only when you accept the risk
Approval skipping trades safety for speed. Keep sandboxing enabled where possible and limit the working directory.
```
codex exec --approval-mode never --sandbox workspace-write "Implement the requested change and run tests"
```
4
Step
Review every diff before keeping it
Treat the diff as the source of truth. Revert anything surprising before copying changes into a real project.
```
git diff --stat && git diff --check && git status --short
```

Why this matters

Approval skipping is powerful for fast experiments, but it removes the human checkpoint. A disposable workspace, narrow prompt, sandbox, and diff gate make it practical instead of reckless.

Troubleshooting

If Codex edits too many files, stop and reduce the prompt scope.
If tests fail, inspect the diff before running another agent pass.
If you need unrestricted access, use a throwaway VM or copy, not your main machine.

How to use Codex YOLO mode safely

Create a disposable workspace

Step-by-step instructions

Create a disposable workspace

Start with a narrow task

Use approval skipping only when you accept the risk

Review every diff before keeping it

Why this matters

Troubleshooting

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