---
name: codex-thread-cwd
description: Change a Codex thread working directory/cwd on the Codex side, not in downstream tool databases. Use when asked to change, move, fix, align, or sync a Codex thread workspace/cwd, especially for app-server threads or client integrations where dependent tools should sync from Codex afterward.
---

# Codex Thread CWD

Use this skill to change a Codex thread's stored working directory (`cwd`) in Codex state, then let clients such as a Telegram bot sync from Codex. Do not edit downstream client databases as the source of truth.

## Required Inputs

- Target `thread_id`, usually a Codex UUID. If the user refers to a client-specific current thread, inspect that client's state only to discover the Codex `thread_id`; do not edit that client state unless explicitly asked.
- Target absolute `cwd`. Do not assume a machine-specific path; derive it from the user's request, the current repo, or an explicit argument.

## Preferred Workflow

1. Resolve the target thread ID.
   - For this repo's Telegram bot, read its configured SQLite DB only to discover `sessions.active_thread_id -> threads.codex_thread_id` for the relevant Telegram user.
   - If ambiguous, list candidates and ask the user to choose.
2. Confirm the target cwd is absolute and exists, unless the user intentionally wants a path that does not exist yet.
3. Run the bundled script from the skill directory:

```bash
python3 path/to/codex-thread-cwd/scripts/set_thread_cwd.py THREAD_ID /absolute/new/cwd
```

Use `--codex-home`, `--state-db`, or `CODEX_HOME` when the Codex state is not under the current user's default Codex home.

4. Verify Codex-side state, preferably with app-server `thread/read` if a socket is available. DB-level verification from the script is acceptable when app-server is unavailable.
5. Trigger the dependent tool's normal sync path, such as asking a bot for `/workspace` or `/threads`. Do not manually insert or update downstream workspace rows unless the user explicitly asks for emergency repair.

## Notes

- The app-server schema exposes `cwd` on `thread/resume`, `thread/fork`, and `turn/start`; `thread/metadata/update` does not patch `cwd`.
- In observed behavior, `thread/resume` with `cwd` may return the original cwd and not mutate existing stored thread cwd.
- `turn/start.cwd` is schema-supported as an override for that turn and subsequent turns, but it starts a new turn.
- The proven no-turn approach is to update Codex's own `state_*.sqlite` `threads.cwd` row and the first `session_meta.payload.cwd` line in the rollout JSONL. This is Codex-side state, not downstream client state.
- The script preserves a rollout backup by default; it writes `<rollout>.bak.<timestamp>` unless `--no-backup` is passed.

## Verification Examples

Inspect Codex state directly:

```bash
python3 path/to/codex-thread-cwd/scripts/set_thread_cwd.py THREAD_ID /absolute/new/cwd --verify-only
```

Read through app-server and check `result.thread.cwd` equals the requested path.