Planning Workflow for OpenAI Codex CLI
Give Codex CLI a curated architecture brief before execution. Discover the scope, merge multi-model plans, and run with Codex approval modes.
Vibe Manager provides pre-planning with file discovery, multi-model synthesis, and reviewable plansâthen you execute in Codex with Read-Only, Auto, or Full Access approval modes.
$5 free credits ⢠Pay-as-you-go ⢠Works with Codex CLI approvals
Where Codex teams add pre-planning structure
Codex scopes automatically but lacks architectural documentation
Codex explores your workspace and creates task lists automatically, but produces no reusable architectural documentation or dependency maps you can review with your team.
Codex executes without a separate planning phase
Unlike Claude Code's Plan Mode, Codex doesn't have a review-before-execution feature. It creates task lists and executes immediatelyâyou can't compare multiple architectural approaches before committing.
Operational runbooks live outside the CLI
Prompt snippets, checklists, and approval steps often sit in separate docs, so each session starts with setup rather than execution.
Command history needs consolidation
Codex CLI outputs to your terminal. Capturing metadata, approvals, and a searchable history for audits is an extra chore.
What Vibe Manager layers on top of Codex
AI file discovery for Codex tasks
Surface every impacted file before Codex ever generates a command. Multi-stage discovery maps dependencies, caches roots, and exports context for Codex prompts.
Multi-model plan synthesis
Generate plans from GPT-5, Claude, and native Codex prompts. Vibe Manager's architect merges them with your guidance into one bulletproof blueprint.
Execution with approvals and health checks
Run every step inside persistent PTY sessions. Require confirmation, watch health telemetry, and pause Codex instructions when something looks risky.
Prompt kits tuned for Codex CLI
Copy buttons deliver consistent Codex instructionsâplan, implement, verify. Stop re-typing âmake it idempotentâ for the twentieth time.
How the Codex + Vibe workflow runs
Run file discovery against your repo. Vibe highlights entry points, downstream services, and shared configs Codex needs to respect.
Run GPT-5 and Gemini 2.5 Pro multiple times. Each run surfaces different implementation detailsâtackling the LLM attention problem when context includes many full files.
Tell the AI architect what to keep, what to drop, and how to structure the final plan. Every decision keeps source attribution.
Run the merged plan in Vibe's terminal or paste it into Codex CLI with full scope visibility and logging.
Why teams add Vibe Manager pre-planning to Codex CLI
Architectural documentation
Codex traverses the repo automatically and creates task lists, but produces no reusable architectural documentation for team review.
File discovery generates persistent dependency maps and impact analysis that travels across sessions and team members.
Multi-model synthesis
Codex executes with GPT-5-Codex only. Comparing approaches from Claude or Gemini requires separate sessions and manual synthesis.
Run GPT-5 and Gemini multiple times (e.g., 3x GPT-5, 2x Gemini). Each run surfaces complementary implementation detailsâmerged with full source attribution.
Execution auditability
Codex has approval modes (Read-Only, Auto, Full) but no centralized audit trail or health monitoring across sessions.
Persistent terminal with approvals, health monitoring, and searchable logs provides complete audit trails for compliance.
Codex CLI planning workflow quickstart
- 1Install Vibe Manager and connect your repo
Download the desktop app for macOS or Windows, point it at the same workspace you use with Codex CLI, and let it index the project.
- 2Run file discovery for your task
Describe the change once. Vibe builds a scoped file list and impact map you can feed straight into Codex prompts.
- 3Generate and merge multi-model plans
Run GPT-5 and Gemini multiple times (e.g., 3x GPT-5, 2x Gemini). Each run finds complementary details. Use merge instructions to synthesize a comprehensive plan with full attribution.
- 4Execute or hand back to Codex
Run inside Vibe's persistent terminal with approvals or copy the validated plan into Codex CLI when you're ready.
Where Codex teams rely on Vibe Manager
Large refactors in monorepos
Coordinate edits across packages, services, and shared configs. File discovery keeps Codex aligned with the repo topology.
API and schema migrations
Model-by-model plans ensure contract updates, migrations, and SDK changes stay synchronized before Codex touches production.
Governed, review-heavy teams
Maintain audit trails, approvals, and reproducible logs for every Codex session. Perfect for regulated environments.
Outcomes Codex teams look for
Expose hidden scope before Codex runs
Teams spot config files, background jobs, and downstream services during discovery instead of during rollback.
Surface complementary implementation details
Multiple runs (3x GPT-5, 2x Gemini) each find subtle details the others miss. Tackle LLM attention limitations when context is large.
Maintain an auditable command history
Persistent terminals and approvals give compliance the exact commands that were executed.
Frequently asked
Does Vibe Manager replace Codex CLI?
No. Vibe Manager adds architectural pre-planning, file discovery, and multi-model synthesis that happens BEFORE you use Codex CLI. You still use Codex CLI for executionânow with better context and reviewable plans. Use Codex Read-Only or Auto approval modes for maximum safety.
How do Codex approval modes work with Vibe Manager?
Codex CLI has three approval modes (/approvals command): Read-Only (requires approval for all actions), Auto (default - workspace freedom, approval outside), and Full Access (no approvals). Most teams plan in Vibe, then execute in Codex with Read-Only or Auto mode for safe iteration.
Which platforms are supported?
Vibe Manager runs on macOS 11+, Windows 10+, and works great with remote containers. The workflow integrates seamlessly with Codex CLI approval modes and whichever shell you prefer.
Pre-plan Codex CLI execution with architectural context
Discover the real scope, merge multi-model ideas, then execute with Codex approval modes for safe, reviewable iteration.