> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cloud.cdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Codex

> Codex is OpenAI's AI coding agent. This page explains how to connect Codex to the Connect AI MCP server.

## Prerequisites

Before you can configure and use Codex with Connect AI Embed, you must first do the following:

* Install [Node.js](https://nodejs.org) 18 or later.
* Have a ChatGPT plan that includes Codex (Plus, Pro, Business, Edu, or Enterprise), or an OpenAI API key.
* Generate an [OAuth JWT bearer token](/en/API/Authentication-Embedded). Copy this down, as it acts as your password during authentication.

## Connect Codex to the Connect AI MCP

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Install the Codex CLI globally:

    ```bash theme={null}
    npm install -g @openai/codex
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Start Codex and sign in:

    ```bash theme={null}
    codex
    ```

    The first time you run Codex, select **Sign in with ChatGPT** and complete the authentication in your browser. To use an API key instead, set the `OPENAI_API_KEY` environment variable.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Register the Connect AI MCP server. Open your Codex configuration file at `~/.codex/config.toml` and add the following:

    ```toml theme={null}
    [mcp_servers.connectai]
    url = "https://mcp.cloud.cdata.com/mcp"
    http_headers = { "Authorization" = "Bearer {Your_OAuth_JWT_Token}" }
    startup_timeout_sec = 30
    ```

    Replace `{Your_OAuth_JWT_Token}` with the OAuth JWT bearer token you generated in the prerequisites.

    OAuth JWT bearer tokens are short-lived, and Codex passes the token as-is without refreshing it. When the token expires, generate a new one, update the `Authorization` header value, and start Codex again.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Confirm that Codex registered the server:

    ```bash theme={null}
    codex mcp list
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Start a Codex Session

Start a Codex session and explore your data with natural language prompts. Codex uses the Connect AI MCP server to query your live data.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/cdata/IlSR3yY3YHE_6mAx/en/images/codex_client_prompt.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=IlSR3yY3YHE_6mAx&q=85&s=b260503cc8c0f86ef075d2279b63c0a5" alt="" width="1377" height="605" data-path="en/images/codex_client_prompt.png" />
</Frame>

Refer to CData's [prompt library](https://www.cdata.com/ai/prompt-library/) for prompt ideas.

<Note>
  If Codex reports that MCP startup is incomplete, the server did not initialize within Codex's default 10-second startup window. Increase `startup_timeout_sec` in the server configuration (for example, to `30` or higher), then start Codex again. First-time connections often need the extra time.
</Note>

<Note>
  Codex's MCP support and setup process are subject to change. Refer to OpenAI's [Codex MCP documentation](https://developers.openai.com/codex/mcp) for the latest setup information.
</Note>