codex-cli-architect-mcp
# Codex CLI Architect MCP
An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server implementation for OpenAI's Codex CLI,
enabling AI-powered coding assistance through standardized tool interfaces.
[](https://www.npmjs.com/package/codex-cli-architect-mcp)
[](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
## Features
- **Technical Consultation**: Get expert advice on architecture, design
patterns, and technology choices
- **Code Review**: Comprehensive code quality and security analysis
- **Code Explanation**: Clear explanations of code snippets and programming
concepts
- **Read-Only File Access**: Can read files in the current workspace (directory and subdirectories)
- **Write Protection**: Uses Codex CLI's read-only sandbox mode to prevent file modifications
- **Sandboxed Execution**: Runs with platform-specific sandboxing (Apple Seatbelt on macOS, Landlock/seccomp on Linux)
- **No Code Modification**: Focuses on analysis and advice, not code generation
## Prerequisites
- Node.js 18+
- [Codex CLI](https://github.com/openai/codex) installed and logged in
## Usage with MCP Clients
### Claude Code
Register the MCP server with Claude Code:
```bash
# Using NPM package
claude mcp add codex -- npx codex-cli-architect-mcp
# With custom model configuration
claude mcp add codex -e CODEX_MODEL=gpt-5 -- npx codex-cli-architect-mcp
# With OpenAI API key
claude mcp add codex -e OPENAI_API_KEY=your-api-key-here -- npx codex-cli-architect-mcp
```
### Other MCP Clients
Configure the MCP server in your client's settings file:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"codex": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["codex-cli-architect-mcp"],
"env": {
"OPENAI_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here",
"CODEX_MODEL": "gpt-5",
"CODEX_TIMEOUT": "300000"
}
}
}
}
```
## Available Tools
The MCP server provides the following tools:
1. **codex_consult** - Technical consultation for architecture, design patterns,
and implementation strategies
2. **codex_review** - Comprehensive code review for quality, security, and best
practices
3. **codex_explain** - Get clear explanations of code snippets or programming
concepts
These tools are exposed through the MCP protocol and can be used by any MCP-compatible client.
## Configuration
Environment variables:
- `OPENAI_API_KEY` - OpenAI API key for authentication (optional, uses ChatGPT login if not provided)
- `CODEX_MODEL` - Model to use (default: gpt-5)
- `CODEX_TIMEOUT` - Execution timeout in milliseconds (default: 300000)
## Development
```bash
# Install dependencies
npm install
# Build
npm run build
# Development mode
npm run dev
# Run tests
npm test
```
## License
MIT
TDQS
Scored across 3 tools
The three tools are largely distinct: consult is clearly separate, while explain and review both analyze code but differ in intent (understanding vs. critique). This boundary is clear enough for most cases, though explain and review could still be confused in edge scenarios.
All tool names follow the same predictable pattern: codex_ prefix plus a lowercase imperative verb in snake_case. The naming is consistent and each verb clearly reflects the tool's purpose.
Three tools is at the low end of the typical range, but each covers a distinct architect-focused activity: explain, consult, and review. The count is reasonable for a narrow assistant, though a broader architecture server could justify more tools.
The toolset covers core advisor-style workflows: understanding code, getting technical guidance, and reviewing changes. It lacks generative or planning tools, but that appears acceptable for an architect/consultant role rather than an active coding agent.