Codex /goal Loop

What /goal is

/goal is a slash command in Codex v0.128.0+ (April 30, 2026) that turns a Codex prompt into a persistent agent looping plan → act → test → review → iterate until a stop condition is met, the user pauses, or the token budget runs out. Internally called the "Ralph loop."

Key difference from a normal prompt: when a turn ends but the goal isn't met, Codex auto-continues instead of waiting for input.

Lifecycle states: pursuing, paused, achieved, unmet, budget-limited.

When monitoring a running /goal, every check should include a one-line update to the user: what Codex is doing and whether it is on track. Keep it extremely concise.

Not: a budget command, a safety boundary, "run forever", or a replacement for /plan. It's a contract enforcer with a verification loop.

Requirements

• Codex CLI/app/extension v0.128.0+
• goals = true in ~/.codex/config.toml (or codex features enable goals)
• ChatGPT auth (Plus/Pro/Business/Edu/Enterprise) — API-key auth does not work. Pro is the realistic minimum for long runs.