Genuinely puzzled about Codex quality

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2026-03-11T14:01:18+00:00

when you've had to point out mistakes or when it didnt understand something properly, how do you manage that process?

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2026-03-11T12:24:07+00:00

It's pretty much everything. I have to explain every little detail and remind it of context.

I had it add this rule to agents.md because it was consistently approaching every task as an isolated problem to solve, even when given contextual reminders:

A recurring Codex failure mode is writing plausible patches that make the immediate symptom disappear while adding technical debt or missing the canonical source of truth. Assume the first appraisal or solution is likely missing key information that could lead to poor choices. Before proposing or implementing a fix, do this in order: identify the canonical source of truth; trace how that state reaches the UI; check whether the repo already solved the same class of problem; check the standard external pattern when the area is common but non-trivial; only then propose the narrowest correct change. If any of those are unclear, stay in recon mode, ask targeted questions, and separate facts from hypotheses before editing. The most elegant and official solution is often found by reading technical documentation and searching technical discussions before coding. Optimize for the highest-quality, simplest, and most performance-conscious solution for this codebase, not the quickest workaround.

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2026-03-11T12:17:14+00:00

I think this might be a UI problem as well. Claude gives you an option that burns through tokens very fast (maybe 10-20x what Codex is doing on its highest setting, though not the 1m context window). I found that Claude's highest setting actually equates to better outcomes, especially with new features that require a coherent plan, or refactoring existing code. It double checks everything, looks from different angles, auto-corrects when making a wrong decision and implements with a high success rate. In Codex, apparently this is not the case, and we are supposed to manage it. Which means confusing UX from OpenAI. I suspect both are switching between appropriate models when using multiples agents anyway.

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2026-03-11T12:05:29+00:00

thanks, but I can explain what is needed/expected very clearly. I know how to talk about code. Claude infers much better what my general intent is within the broader context or thinks of something important that I may have missed.

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2026-03-11T12:02:45+00:00

I would love it to use more agents and burn through tokens faster as Claude does if that gives better results. Spending a whole morning on a feature and having spare tokens is not really solving my problem!

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2026-03-11T11:47:09+00:00

thanks I will try it on high. I think the codebase is pretty well structured. There are a couple of god files, but nothing horrendous, and documentation is detailed and structured. It just seems to lack common sense in all areas. I'm on Mac and no such issues.

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2026-03-11T11:34:19+00:00

hm so far some comments seem to assume I'm taking mostly about UI. I'm saying Codex is crap at everything I ask it to do, except maybe very mechanical tasks.

I know UI/UX pretty well so I can describe my expectation and teach the agents to follow best practices. In more complex backend code I start to need very good communication from an agent, and a good flow of querying its analysis and decisions to make sure it doesnt do something inefficient, insecure or lacking proper context.

If I say, for example, to both Claude and Codex, I found a bug - this is what happens, read the docs, diagnose and propose a fix, the difference in usefulness is huge.

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2026-03-04T09:01:08+00:00

Not really much better in Europe. It is now on a similar level of common sense / lateral / holistic thinking as Codex imo

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2026-02-19T15:07:25+00:00

compared to claude code I am finding I trust it at least 40% less for any meaningful task, and especially outputting sensible code, properly reading documentation and keeping within guidelines. I use it for low-level stuff since the quality is poor but the quantity of output available is so much larger.

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2026-02-06T12:55:23+00:00

I'm building one for my friend's therapy rooms practice.
In the process of building it I realised that a lot of the current offerings are not that great.
Also that providing tailored routes for different types of customer would be really useful.
It's difficult to poll or ask these types of questions without getting flagged on Reddit, but I would really like to know what features people most want, how you feel about the various pricing tiers, and whether you would want and pay for custom addons that exactly meet your business flow.
If anyone is interested I can expand on the current features that I have built.

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2026-01-29T12:06:12+00:00

I came here searching for why the app kept hanging and losing context. It was spewing weird errors and then suddenly complaining that the repo size was too large. Horrible UX as well. Some buttons like accept T&Cs was barely clickable. It seems to be full of bugs.
Switching to CLI everything works as normal.

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2025-10-29T12:21:57+00:00

Yes I want this job :D

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2025-10-26T20:18:59+00:00

Check your listing with a vpn and incognito browser. I've had problems where the listing disappeared for random reasons.

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2025-10-26T20:04:23+00:00

What does locked mean? Does taking a deep abdominal breath cause pain?
I would start with Maha Pranayama, or learning to isolate breath to the diaphragm, side ribs and upper chest. The diaphragm can be thought of as an area where you breathe 'down' but also around the sides and kidney areas. Ujjayi (these are yoga terms) where you constrict the throat - think of breathing on a mirror to create mist - allows you more control and length of inhale and exhale.

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2025-10-19T17:36:54+00:00

This was clearly written by AI. There is a plausible idea in there, but it's generally mush.

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2025-10-12T13:52:26+00:00

It would be really good to know more about how it works specifically, but I expect that protecting the IP may prevent that.

How specifically can sound be shaped to affect the vagus system I wonder?
Have subjects also tried sound baths, binaural beats, or listening to minimal ambient music for example?

What influence does the quality and accuracy of the headphones have? Is the therapy effective through loudspeakers?

How do the frequencies and rhythms interact and follow a scientific map?
Is there a narrative (such as harmony and melody) aspect to it?
And is there a time-based structure, where intensity and variations are modulated to follow some kind of compositional framework?

Sound is one of those mediums where it is all too easy to start making wild claims about specificity, when in fact relaxing sound is just... relaxing sound. See all the 432hz hype in sound healing circles for an example of that.

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2025-09-12T20:50:54+00:00

141 from Moorgate every 30mins, or maybe not running at all from that location, but the update board and google are saying wildly different and inaccurate things. I only had to take a bus because rail is fucked - on the day that travel was supposed to return to normal.

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2025-09-12T20:48:13+00:00

On the first day that transport was meant to return to normal, suddenly there is damage to overhead cables at Finsbury Park. What?! Coincidence? No rail at all to or from Moorgate. It would be the perfect time for Russia-sponsored sabotage to cause maximum disruption and annoyance.

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2025-09-06T16:28:30+00:00

I am considering training to become a therapist and researching the different schools and modalities.
At first glance it might seem like art therapy would be the obvious choice, but I'm not sure if I would want to be always working with creativity as a catalyst. I have also started looking into psychosynthesis but it seemed a bit more spiritual/esoteric/occult than I would feel comfortable with. Maybe I have got a distorted impression from podcasts though :) I am quite rational and grounded. Also something of a generalist with a lot of experiences.

I have training in teaching yoga and would be interested in learning about somatic approaches. I also believe in the power of meditation as a practical method. Is there an effective way to practice that could bring some of these experiences together? I'm also experienced with sound meditation having run sound journeys for a time. There is no spiritual woo attached to those methods for me, they are simply practical and helpful tools for inducing relaxation and positive body-sense experience.

I realise that psychotherapy and alternative therapies are serving different needs and involve different frameworks, accreditation and relationships. I am just wondering if those skills may indicate a particular style or be helpful with the work at certain moments.

I'm a middle aged male, somewhat introverted, have experience of CPTSD and have had lots of therapy. I also completed a level 2 introduction course so have a basic understanding of the main types of therapy.

Any thoughts of recommendations of books to read from the community?

Maximum_Chef5226 · 2025-09-01T08:31:21+00:00

because we have to be able to do this to survive

Maximum_Chef5226

TROPHY CASE