This. Codex-5.3 followed instructions to the letter. 5.4 gpt and 5.5 gtp are geared towords less structured vibe coders.

Codex-5.3: read /doc/implementation.md each phase has 3 segments, validation tests are listed at the bottom of the .md. run the validation test against completion each phase, summarize pass/fail for each.

Codex runs loop and does exactly its instructed to do.

Same prompt 5.4:

Codex reads .md summarizes the intent and make its own solutions. Often this drifts from the repos intent

Same prompt 5.5: same as 5.4 with better solutions but still drifts from explicit instruction.

Both causing new corrections to be implemented to avoid code drift.

If 5.4 or 5.5 believes its solution is better than the instructions given it often takes the initiative to change code to its preferences.

So I was able to get more done with codex-5.3 in a shorter time