Keep Codex Fast

Use this skill to inspect and safely maintain local Codex state. The goal is to reduce local drag without surprising the user or losing continuity.

Primary principle: preserve continuity before applying changes. For active repo chats the user may continue, recommend a comprehensive handoff document and reactivation prompt before archiving anything.

Safety Rules

• Inspect before mutating.
• The first run must be report-only. Report mode must not write files, create backups, move folders, or change local Codex state.
• Back up before applying changes. Use --backup-only when the user wants backups without moving or changing local state.
• Archive or move files instead of deleting them. Do not permanently delete user chats, logs, worktrees, memories, skills, plugins, or automations.
• Write manifests and restore scripts when sessions/worktrees are moved.
• If Codex is running, default to report-only. Apply changes only after Codex is closed or when the user explicitly accepts waiting for Codex to exit.
• Never modify or copy credential files unless the user explicitly asks for that. Back up memory/skill/plugin/automation files before touching local state.
• Treat backup folders as private local artifacts because they can contain Codex metadata. Do not ask users to publish or share backups unless they have reviewed them first.
• Do not print raw thread IDs, chat titles, local paths, or process paths unless the user asks for details or runs --details.
• Before applying changes, tell the user to create handoff docs for active repo chats they may continue.
• Before archiving any active repo chat the user may want to continue, recommend creating a comprehensive handoff doc plus a reactivation prompt.
• Do not archive old-but-important active repo chats until the user either confirms a handoff exists or confirms they do not need one.

Mental Model

There are three modes: