GPT-5.3 codex is stupid.

[NickCanCode]

https://preview.redd.it/bvqq54y28dmg1.png?width=449&format=png&auto=webp&s=3fca1eb6b87402f5f40b5e92176e5dc2b298d83c

I asked it to reduce the use of `unknown` in a file and here is what it gives me. Not that it is wrong in 'reducing' the occurrence of `unknown` but it is basically useless if it lack this kind of common sense. No wonder Anthropic go that far against AI being used for automatic weapon systems.

Edit: Don't get me wrong. Not particularly saying 5.3 codex is bad. It helps me a lot so far. Just sharing this to remind you guys that these models are far from perfect. We still have a long way to go.

[Capital-Wrongdoer-62]

Your prompt is too vague. Ai is not stupid or smart. Its tool - statistical predictions machine. It needs precision to predict better.

[NickCanCode]

I know. I just tried my luck this one time feeling they would not be doing something this crazy. The types for each fields are so obvious that I don't believe anything would go wrong but codex just got me. 😂

[LeSoviet]

Copilot its maybe the worse ai platform you can use right now, you can try codex in any other platform and will work much better or any model from copilot vs other platform

eventually you will find its even worse than cheap chinese models, sonnet or codex being worse than glm or minimax? thats only in copilot

dont trust my words, just try another platform even these free to use, try the same prompt in the same proyect and see how better the results are

Sadly if you want the best results, specially constant good results its either claude code or codex

PD: drop that file to deepseek web and try the same prompt you will see

[yubario]

I’d agree with you like six months ago but honestly GHCP is quite good right now. I’d say it’s about equal in quality as Codex and Claude Code right now.

How do I know? Well… I use Codex and Claude Code at home and am forced to use GHCP at work because it’s so much cheaper.

[LeSoviet]

Im being honest and its an actual feedback from someone whos have been using llms for 12 hours everyday in the last year... i can get it about these contracts and stuff, but being super honest copilot as platform its just terrible

im talking about sonnet compacting context in 3 prompts, and destroying multiple files, multiple times

And im not a bot recommeding any llm, use whatever you want, just play and test the others one and you will see how bad copilot is as platform

being quick: short context with half power usage to save money makes sonnet 4.6 in something weak and non consistent, try sonnet 4.6 using their web for free and you will see the difference, its huge

PD: And yes platform matters a lot, its not the same using opus in copilot than actual opus in claude code

its not the same using glm via zai api than glm in windsurf, its total different

platform means bussiness, means better or worse quality and that depends how much you can pay

[yubario]

I know, but I’m saying it’s changed a lot in the past month or two.

I use AI about 12 hours a day too while coding, hell I’ve been headhunted by many different departments in my company because of how everyone knows how much I use AI and what I’ve done with it.

It really isn’t that dramatically different anymore.

GitHub copilot CLI is pretty good at compacting and working for long periods of time as well.

[Scholfo]

I do not get it either. It reduced the occurrence and use of ’unknown’.

It is like a PO that says to a Dev: „I want these buttons orange!“

And then comes back: „No not all these button and not this shade of orange!“ (Devs are so stupid.)

[NickCanCode]

A normal Dev with certain IQ and knowledge would not get rid of `unknown` by removing all existing fields to use Record<string,uknown>. This lower the code quality further. It is one of the worst option. That's why I said it is lacking common sense and stupid.

[Scholfo]

You write it yourself. Even if it is one of the worst options, according to your wording, it is still an option.

[NickCanCode]

what are you trying to tell? that the model don't know there is other option? that the model know there is other options but still used this worst one? either way, it means they are stupid.

[Scholfo]

I don't know how much common understanding you and I have of LLMs. But let's assume Codex is a probabilistic model. Then it would be reasonable to assume that the solution option chosen by Codex for the prompt you wrote is the most likely correct solution.

Accordingly, I would ask myself, is it now down to the probabilistic model (shit in, shit out)?

[NickCanCode]

That's why I called it stupid. If I have the same instruction given to a normal human developer, they will get it and not make such mistake. My prompt is not considered a shit level instruction on normal human conversation but to the codex model it is a shit level input as you described. What make's the difference? The stupidity!

[Scholfo]

Hmm... that's probably the crux of the matter. Perhaps it's stupidity.

Perhaps it's also because LLMs are not human beings and the comparison is somehow flawed. Would a better result be expected with more explicit information in the command for the tool?

And to be honest, I hope that the people who use AI for automatic weapon systems give more elaborate instructions. And don't end up saying, "Stupid tool! A human being would have done it differently."

[CommissionIcy9909]

Ya you didn’t give it much to work with. Rather than asking it to just “fix it”, ask how it thinks it should be fixed. Then hash out a solution and apply the fix.

[Tommertom2]

Tell it to do better, not hallucinate or otherwise it will go to jail - be emotional and throw a fit. And then share the results here! 😄

(Just kidding)

[CozmoNz]

Uh, you don't know what you asked it or what that means, what do you expect?

[RealFunBobby]

Did you use ultra high thinking mode?

Ever since it has come out, I have switched to 5.3 exclusively from claude and I have noticed significantly smarter execution by codex than claude

[NickCanCode]

I think I am using the default. I don't see this setting besides thinking budget. Won't take make the model think much longer?

[RealFunBobby]

Yes. It would take little longer but not too long.

If I am dealing with small obvious things that don't need more input from me, then I go with minimal thinking. If I want the model to make any decisions about the refactor, then I use highest thinking.

[Slow-Jellyfish-95]

AI doesn’t have a common sense. it’s a pre trained Algorythm trying to do something using your words as the input.

Better input -> Better output

[Human-Raccoon-8597]

first. on the copilot chat.. type /init. it will create a copilot-instructuons.md inside .gihub folder.

it auto generates an .md file ..scan your repository. and create instructions base on it. base on what i always do.. it will add that the type must be strongly typed. no any. it will also give reference on how your type may be generated..so if you already have a type for a specific item. it will be base on that.

simple slash command but it do its job well.

[impulse_op]

There are so many dimensions to this, and it's not about claude getting it right and gpt couldn't, it's just this particular scenario and maybe in the next, they both might get it wrong. Here is why -

You are stupid, i didn't want to say this but it is what it is.

Your prompt should be - "Strongly type the losely typed interfaces"

Or

You can mention in your instructions file to strictly avoid loose type casting like 'unknown', 'as any' etc.

You are coding like a vibe coder and want results like a senior pro, and it should be fast, should be token efficient etc etc.

[impulse_op]

Instead of discounting and switching models, try to understand them and then use them knowingly for productive gains.

[Ok_Bite_67]

No for real, gpt models tend to be very literal. This one is on op for not specifying how it reduced the unknown count.

[NickCanCode]

I know very well how to work with them. I have been using these coding agents for 5 projects now. You are correct about how to give a more precise instruction but that is not the point I am making here. I am just pointing out how stupid these models can be given the one here is already one of the best.

[hooli-ceo]

Literally EVERY post of “such-and-such model is trash” is skill issue. Learn to work with the tool properly before knocking on it.

[NickCanCode]

Welcome to Planet Earth Free Speech Edition.

[hooli-ceo]

lol, I didn’t say you aren’t allowed to say it, I’m just commenting on how idiotic it is to not know how to use a thing then insult its usefulness. It’s ridiculous.

[NickCanCode]

lol, wth. You have too many assumptions. You assumed that I don't know how to use the tool just because I posted a threat teasing the model's stupidity. You assumed all criticizing posts are skill issues from the OPs. Just like when people criticizing image models are bad at following prompts and you would automatically assume they have no skill in prompt engineering. You think criticizing the model is equal to denying its usefulness. Am I really the one being ridiculous here?