Codex Parallel Review

Purpose

5 reviewers analyze code simultaneously: 4 Claude agents (Correctness, Security, Performance, Maintainability) + 1 Codex. Findings merged, disagreements debated, consensus reported.

When to Use

When you want independent dual-reviewer analysis with higher-confidence cross-validated findings.

Prerequisites

• Full-codebase (default), working-tree, or branch mode. No external plugins required.

Runner

RUNNER="{{RUNNER_PATH}}" SKILLS_DIR="{{SKILLS_DIR}}" json_esc() { printf '%s' "$1" | node -e 'let d="";process.stdin.on("data",c=>d+=c);process.stdin.on("end",()=>process.stdout.write(JSON.stringify(d)))'; }

Critical Rules (DO NOT skip)

• Stdin: printf '%s' "$PROMPT" | node "$RUNNER" ... -- NEVER echo. JSON via heredoc.
• Validate: init output must start with CODEX_SESSION:. start/resume must return valid JSON. CODEX_NOT_FOUND->tell user install codex.
• status === "completed" means Codex's turn is done -- NOT that the debate is over. MUST check Loop Decision table.
• Loop: Do NOT exit unless all findings resolved or stalemate. No round cap.
• Errors: failed->retry once (re-poll 15s). timeout->report partial, suggest lower effort. stalled+recoverable->stop->recovery resume->poll; not recoverable->report partial. Cleanup sequencing: finalize+stop ONLY after recovery resolves.
• Cleanup: ALWAYS run finalize + stop, even on failure/timeout.
• Runner manages all session state -- NEVER read/write session files manually.
• For detailed error flows -> Read references/protocol.md

Workflow

1. Collect Inputs

Mode: full-codebase/working-tree/branch. Auto-detect effort (<50 files=medium, 50-200=high, >200=xhigh). Branch mode: validate base branch, clean working tree, bind BASE. Prepare FILES and DIFF per mode.

2. Launch All 5 Reviewers (ONE message -- true parallelism)

2a) Init + Start Codex: Init: node "$RUNNER" init --skill-name codex-parallel-review --working-dir "$PWD" Render: template=full-round1/working-tree-round1/branch-round1. Placeholders: USER_REQUEST, SESSION_CONTEXT, BASE_BRANCH (branch only). Start: printf '%s' "$PROMPT" | node "$RUNNER" start "$SESSION_DIR" --effort "$EFFORT"

2b) Spawn 4 Claude Agents (same message as 2a, all run_in_background: true):

• Agent 1 -- Correctness & Edge Cases: logic errors, null checks, off-by-one, race conditions.
• Agent 2 -- Security (OWASP Top 10): A01-A10, secrets, crypto, input handling, dependencies.
• Agent 3 -- Performance: algorithmic, memory, I/O, N+1, caching, bundle.
• Agent 4 -- Maintainability & Architecture: naming, DRY, complexity, coupling, module boundaries. Each writes FINDING-{N} with Category, Severity, File, Location, Problem, Suggested fix.

3. Poll Codex + Collect Agent Results

Poll Codex. Collect agent results as they finish. If agent fails, continue with remaining.

4. Merge Findings

4a) Deduplicate Claude findings across agents -- same file + overlapping lines -> keep higher severity. 4b) Cross-match Claude vs Codex: agreed, claude-only, codex-only, contradiction. Prefer false-negatives over false-positives. 4c) Present merge summary: Claude (deduplicated), Codex, Agreed, Claude-only, Codex-only, Contradictions.

5. Apply Agreed + Debate Loop

Apply agreed issues. Branch mode: commit fixes before debate. Render template=debate, placeholders: CODEX_ONLY_WITH_REBUTTALS, CLAUDE_ONLY_FINDINGS, CONTRADICTIONS. Resume + back to Poll. Parse RESPONSE-{N}: accept->apply, reject->reconsider, revise->evaluate. Remove resolved from next round. Branch: commit fixes before resume.

| # | Condition | Action | |---|-----------|--------| | 1 | All disputed/claude-only/codex-only resolved | EXIT -> step 6 | | 2 | convergence.stalemate === true | EXIT -> step 6 (stalemate) | | 3 | Unresolved findings remain | CONTINUE -> debate |

6. Final Report

Reviewers: 5. Report: Claude/Codex findings, Agreed, Resolved via debate, Unresolved, Debate rounds, Verdict. Present: Consensus Issues by severity, Resolved Disagreements, Unresolved table, Risk Assessment.

7. Finalize + Cleanup

finalize + stop. Always run. (-> references/protocol.md for error handling)

Flavor Text Triggers

SKILL_START, PARALLEL_LAUNCH, POLL_WAITING, CODEX_RETURNED, PARALLEL_MERGE, APPLY_FIX, SEND_REBUTTAL, LATE_ROUND, APPROVE_VICTORY, STALEMATE_DRAW, FINAL_SUMMARY

Rules

• All 5 reviewers independent -- no cross-contamination before merge. Degrade gracefully on failure.
• Codex reviews only, no edits. Claude applies fixes for agreed/accepted issues.