# Install & Configure: Codex CLI: Natural Language Command Line Interface
## What This Is
Codex CLI is a tool that lets developers type regular sentences into their command line, like 'show me all text files in this folder,' and it automatically converts them into the correct technical commands. This reduces the time developers spend looking up complex commands and helps them work faster in any shell environment (PowerShell, Bash, Zsh).
Source: https://github.com/microsoft/Codex-CLI
## Before You Start
Scan my workspace and analyze:
- The project language, framework, and directory structure
- Existing agent configuration (check for .claude/, .codex/, CLAUDE.md, settings.json, commands/, skills/ directories)
- Whether this repository or a similar tool is already cloned or installed
Then ask me before proceeding:
1. Do I need to configure any service credentials for this plugin (database, API keys, etc.)?
2. Should this be project-scoped or global?
## Fetch the Source
Clone or inspect the repository to understand what needs to be installed:
```bash
gh repo clone microsoft/Codex-CLI
```
Review the README, directory structure, and any install instructions before proceeding.
## What to Implement
This is an **Agent Plugin** — typically an MCP server or capability bundle.
- Install any required npm/pip packages from the source repository
- Register the MCP server in `.claude/settings.json` under the `mcpServers` key with the correct command and args
- Configure any required environment variables or credentials
- Verify the server starts correctly by checking its expected output
## Additional Context
- Clone the GitHub repository 'microsoft/Codex-CLI' into the user's local workspace.
- Scan the user's environment for existing OpenAI credentials (`OPENAI_API_KEY`, `OPENAI_ORG_ID`). If found, use them to create the required configuration file. If not found, prompt the user to create a `.env` file in the project root with their `OPENAI_API_KEY`, `OPENAI_ORG_ID`, and a legacy `OPENAI_ENGINE_ID` (e.g., 'code-davinci-002').
- Identify the user's current shell (PowerShell, bash, or zsh). Execute the corresponding installation script detailed in the `Installation.md` file within the cloned repository to set up the CLI tool and the 'Ctrl + G' keybinding.
## Guidelines
- Adapt everything to my existing project — do not assume a specific stack or directory layout
- Review any fetched code for safety before installing or executing it
- After setup, run a quick verification and show me a summary of exactly what was installed, where, and how to use it