# Set Up OpenAI Codex Genie uses OpenAI Codex as its AI provider. This guide walks you through the onboarding flow to connect your OpenAI account to your Genie server. *** ## Prerequisites * A Genie account with a running server * An OpenAI account with a ChatGPT subscription *** ## Step 1: Start the Onboarding Open the terminal in your Genie dashboard and run: ```bash openclaw onboard --auth-choice openai-codex ``` ![Terminal with the onboarding command](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-43b61ea874c526624dc893f037f2e5ee43028bff%2Fcodex-start-onboard.png?alt=media) *** ## Step 2: Accept the Security Notice The onboarding wizard shows a security baseline notice. Read through the recommendations — pairing/allowlists, sandbox configuration, secrets management — then confirm with **Yes** to continue. ![Security warning and confirmation prompt](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-fc69e130a281f8470524840fd692e0a7339a019e%2Fcodex-security-warning.png?alt=media) *** ## Step 3: Choose Onboarding Mode Select **QuickStart** to use sensible defaults (you can fine-tune settings later with `openclaw configure`), or **Manual** for full control over every option. ![Onboarding mode selection — QuickStart or Manual](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8167de2c32345a1b2e4c6baa92bb2ba816e31550%2Fcodex-onboard-mode.png?alt=media) *** ## Step 4: Handle Existing Config If an existing configuration is detected, you will be asked how to proceed: * **Use existing values** — keep your current settings * **Update values** — modify specific fields * **Reset** — start fresh ![Existing config detected with handling options](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-15a4b8a75db91f3697ff594ac2c8f1376d5117cf%2Fcodex-existing-config.png?alt=media) *** ## Step 5: Authenticate with OpenAI The wizard generates an OAuth URL. Since your server runs in a remote/VPS environment, you need to: 1. Copy the URL displayed in the terminal 2. Open it in your **local browser** (on your own machine, not the server) ![OAuth URL displayed in terminal](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-6b25c00777ef85a9f511aa2d2b624c9c387c2f51%2Fcodex-oauth-url.png?alt=media) *** ## Step 6: Consent in Browser In your browser, you will see the OpenAI consent page. Review the details — Codex will be linked to your ChatGPT account and use your plan's rate limits. Click **Continue**. ![OpenAI Codex consent page — Sign in with ChatGPT](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-7bd9021f000531981f7fbd3e8441b604693a2a4b%2Fcodex-openai-consent.png?alt=media) *** ## Step 7: Copy the Redirect URL After consenting, your browser redirects to a `localhost` URL. On a remote server, this will show a **connection error** — this is expected. Copy the **full URL** from your browser's address bar (it contains the authorization code). ![Browser showing localhost connection error — copy the full URL](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3a8b98ea4ec10833657984dcf985093f77993ef2%2Fcodex-redirect-url.png?alt=media) *** ## Step 8: Paste the Redirect URL Go back to the Genie terminal. At the "Paste the redirect URL" prompt, paste the URL you copied and press Enter. ![Terminal prompt to paste the redirect URL](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f7fe2d6aa044c8b751af5eea646a65e5a69e1f6e%2Fcodex-paste-redirect.png?alt=media) *** ## Step 9: Select Channel (Optional) You will be asked to select a messaging channel for OpenClaw (Telegram, Discord, Slack, etc.). You can choose one now or select **Skip for now** — channels can be added later with `openclaw channels add`. ![Channel selection list](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-63c2d57371a12db74fd8b1f5e389198e795f8b1e%2Fcodex-channel-select.png?alt=media) *** ## Step 10: Complete Onboarding The wizard saves your configuration and runs through final checks: * Config is written to `~/.openclaw/openclaw.json` * Workspace and sessions are verified * Skills status is displayed ![Config saved and skills status](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a5042d7080fd759598b8e5a0117bd26d0f613746%2Fcodex-config-saved.png?alt=media) You will see **"Onboarding complete"** and the OpenClaw gateway will start automatically. ![Onboarding complete — gateway started](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0d5f9b590ef9c53ed1739c03ea790af2c1c1514a%2Fcodex-onboarding-complete.png?alt=media) *** ## Step 11: Set the Model Run the following command to set OpenAI Codex as your active model: ```bash openclaw models set openai-codex/gpt-5.3-codex ``` ![Model set to openai-codex/gpt-5.3-codex](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-7a18ad3cf7461175b5d8e5bde63472e028fdf0f4%2Fcodex-set-model.png?alt=media) *** ## Verifying the Connection 1. Go to **Chat** in your Genie dashboard 2. Send a prompt to Genie 3. If you receive a valid response, OpenAI Codex is connected and ready to use *** ## Tips * The localhost connection error in Step 7 is expected on remote/VPS environments — just copy the URL from the address bar * You can reconfigure settings at any time with `openclaw configure` * Channel setup can be done separately via `openclaw channels add` * Your OpenAI plan's rate limits apply to all interactions through Genie