Codex CLI V0.53.0: Per-Branch State Files Missing

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Codex CLI 0.53.0: Per-Branch State Files Missing

Hey guys! It looks like there's a snag with the new Codex CLI 0.53.0 release. Several users have reported that the per-branch state files are missing, and I wanted to dive deeper into this issue, along with other problems that have surfaced. If you're experiencing this, you're in the right place. Let's break down what's happening and what you can expect.

The Core Issue: Missing Per-Branch State Files

The main problem reported is that the per-branch state files are not being created as expected in Codex CLI 0.53.0. For those not entirely familiar, the per-branch state persistence is crucial because it allows Codex to maintain separate states for different branches of your project. This separation ensures that changes and experiments in one branch don't inadvertently affect others. So, when this feature doesn't work correctly, it can lead to a lot of confusion and potential headaches.

What's Supposed to Happen?

Ideally, when you set state.persistence = "per-branch" in your Codex configuration, the CLI should create a .codex/state/<branch>.json file for each branch you're working on. This file stores the state information specific to that branch, providing a clean and isolated environment for your work. Imagine it like having separate containers for each branch, ensuring no interference between them. This is particularly useful when you're juggling multiple features or bug fixes simultaneously.

What's Actually Happening?

Instead of creating these branch-specific state files, Codex CLI 0.53.0 seems to be falling back to a global or shared state. This means that changes in one branch might unexpectedly impact others, which can be a significant problem, especially in larger projects with multiple contributors. When you run find .codex -maxdepth 3 -type f -name '*state*', you get nothing, indicating that these files are simply not being created. This deviation from the expected behavior can disrupt workflows and lead to unexpected bugs.

Why This Matters

This issue is more than just a minor inconvenience; it strikes at the heart of efficient and organized development. Per-branch state files are essential for maintaining isolation between different development streams. Without them, developers risk overwriting each other’s work or introducing bugs that are difficult to trace. Think of it as trying to cook multiple dishes in the same pot without cleaning it – flavors mix, and the final results are often messy. For teams relying on Codex for maintaining order in their development process, this bug can be a major setback.

Additional Problems Reported

Besides the missing per-branch state files, there are a couple of other issues that users have flagged in this release. These include problems with history persistence and issues with the feedback mechanism, adding to the frustration of users adopting this new version.

History Persistence Issues

Another significant issue is that the history persistence feature is also rejecting the per-branch setting. The error message “unknown variant per-branch” indicates that the CLI doesn't recognize this option, even though it should. This problem affects the ability to maintain separate histories for different branches, which is vital for tracking changes and understanding the evolution of each branch over time. Without proper history persistence, developers lose valuable context, making debugging and auditing more challenging.

Codex Feedback Failures

Interestingly, the Codex CLI is also struggling to submit its own feedback reports in this environment. Running codex feedback results in a failure, especially when the stdout is not a terminal. Even attempts to wrap the command with script -q /dev/null fail due to permission issues (fails to acquire PTY: Operation not permitted). This failure means that developers cannot easily report issues or provide feedback directly through the CLI, adding an extra layer of difficulty in communicating problems to the development team. This is kind of ironic, right? The tool designed to help developers can't even give its own feedback!

Steps to Reproduce the Bug

For those wanting to confirm the issue or help in troubleshooting, here’s a step-by-step guide to reproduce the bug. This way, you can see exactly what's going on and maybe even help find a solution. It's all about teamwork, guys!

  1. Ensure .codex/state is empty: Start by making sure your .codex/state directory is clean and empty. This eliminates any potential conflicts with existing state files.
  2. Configure state.persistence = "per-branch": Set the state.persistence option to "per-branch" in your Codex configuration file (.codex/config.toml). This is the setting that should trigger the creation of branch-specific state files.
  3. Start a Codex CLI session: Launch a Codex CLI session inside your repository. This is where you'll observe whether the state files are created as expected.
  4. Inspect .codex/: Take a look inside the .codex/ directory. You should see the history, sessions, and log files, but you won't find any branch-specific state files.
  5. Search for state files: Run find .codex -maxdepth 3 -type f -name '*state*' in your terminal. This command should return nothing, confirming that no state files are being created.

By following these steps, you can quickly verify the issue and ensure that you’re experiencing the same problem reported by others. This consistency is crucial for effective bug reporting and resolution.

Expected vs. Actual Behavior

To clarify, let's recap the expected behavior and contrast it with what's actually happening. This side-by-side comparison can highlight the discrepancy and underscore the importance of the fix.

Expected Behavior

When per-branch state persistence is correctly implemented, you should see the Codex CLI create a .codex/state/<branch>.json file for each branch. This file would contain the state information relevant to that specific branch, ensuring isolation and preventing cross-contamination of states. It's like having a dedicated workspace for each branch, keeping things neat and organized. This approach is especially beneficial in complex projects where multiple features are being developed simultaneously.

Actual Behavior

In Codex CLI 0.53.0, the per-branch state files are not being created. Instead, the CLI appears to be using a global or shared state, which can lead to unexpected behavior and conflicts. This means that changes made in one branch can inadvertently affect others, making it harder to maintain a stable and predictable development environment. It's like trying to juggle multiple balls at once – sooner or later, you're going to drop one.

Environment Details

To provide more context, let's look at the specific environment in which this issue was observed. Understanding the environment can help in identifying potential conflicts or dependencies that might be contributing to the problem.

  • Codex CLI Version: 0.53.0 (/opt/homebrew/bin/codex)
  • Operating System: macOS 26.0 (Darwin 25.0.0 arm64)
  • Repository: Located in ~/helm on the feature/bootstrap-table branch
  • .envrc Configuration:
    export CODEX_HOME="$PWD/.codex"
unset CODEX_SANDBOX
unset CODEX_SANDBOX_NETWORK_DISABLED
  • .codex/config.toml Configuration:
    [state] persistence = "per-branch"
[history] persistence = "per-branch"
[sandbox] restricted = false
[sandbox.binaries.allow] includes = ["/opt/homebrew/bin/{php,composer,npm,npx}", "node_modules/.bin/{vite,concurrently}", "vendor/bin/phpunit", "/bin/ps", "/usr/bin/script"]

These details provide a comprehensive view of the setup in which the bug was encountered. By examining these configurations, developers can better understand the context and potentially identify specific interactions or conflicts that are causing the issue.

Potential Workarounds and Next Steps

So, what can you do if you're facing these issues? While a permanent fix will likely come in a future release, there are a few potential workarounds you can try in the meantime. Let's explore some options.

Workarounds

  1. Revert to a Previous Version: If per-branch state files are crucial for your workflow, consider reverting to a previous version of Codex CLI where this feature was functioning correctly. This can provide a temporary solution until the bug is officially resolved. You can typically find older versions on the project’s GitHub repository or through your package manager.
  2. Use Global State (with Caution): As a temporary measure, you can use the global state persistence. However, be very cautious with this approach, as it can lead to conflicts between branches. Make sure to coordinate closely with your team and avoid making simultaneous changes in different branches.
  3. Manual State Management: For advanced users, you might consider manually managing state files. This involves creating separate directories for each branch and copying the state files as you switch between branches. This approach is more complex and error-prone but can provide a high degree of control.

Next Steps

  1. Report the Bug: If you haven’t already, make sure to report the bug to the Codex CLI development team. The more reports they receive, the higher the priority it will likely get. Provide detailed information, including steps to reproduce the issue and your environment configuration.
  2. Monitor for Updates: Keep an eye on the Codex CLI GitHub repository and release notes for updates. The development team is likely working on a fix, and you’ll want to know when a new version is available.
  3. Engage with the Community: Join discussions and forums related to Codex CLI. Sharing your experience and learning from others can help in finding solutions and workarounds. Plus, you might just make some new friends who are also wrestling with the same issues!

In Conclusion

The missing per-branch state files in Codex CLI 0.53.0 are a significant issue that can disrupt development workflows. Coupled with problems in history persistence and feedback submission, this release has presented some challenges for users. However, by understanding the problem, knowing how to reproduce it, and exploring potential workarounds, you can mitigate the impact and continue to use Codex effectively. Remember to report the bug, monitor for updates, and engage with the community – together, we can help make Codex CLI even better. Stay tuned for more updates, and happy coding, folks!