Start A Codex Run With The Real Constraints
Open a Codex task with enough context that the agent can act without guessing.
A strong Codex run begins with constraints, not heroics. Why the opening brief matters Codex can inspect, plan, edit, and verify, but it only does those things against the frame you provide. In practice, the first prompt is the difference between a precise fix and a long, expensive search. When you say "fix the bug," the agent has to decide which bug, which component, how much refactoring is allowed, and how it should prove success. Those hidden decisions are where scope drift starts. A better opening brief names four elements. Objective: what single outcome matters. Constraints: files, branch state, rules…
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