𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘅? 𝗗𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝟯 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀
Codex is not ChatGPT.
ChatGPT is a chat window. You ask a question, it answers, and the conversation ends.
Codex is a collaborator inside your project. It reads your codebase, modifies files, runs commands, and shows you exact changes.
New users often make one mistake: they ask Codex to build everything at once. This leads to errors.
Follow this habit instead:
- Read the project first
- Propose a plan
- Change one small thing
- Review the diff
- Run tests
- Repeat
Here is how to start safely.
- Understand the project
Do not let Codex change files yet. Use this prompt to learn the layout:
Please do not modify any files yet. Explain this project in simple terms:
What does this project do?
What are the main directories for?
Where is the entry point?
What commands do I need to run it?
What are you unsure about? Say "not sure" if you do not know.
Make a tiny change
Once you understand the code, test the tool with a non-code task. Use this prompt:
Please only modify README.md. Add a section called "How to Get Started." Rules:
- Do not touch any other files.
- Do not install new dependencies.
- Do not change any code.
- Tell me what you changed after you finish.
- If the project lacks start commands, say "not sure."
- Use the four-part prompt structure
To get good results, always include these four elements in your requests:
• Goal: What you want to achieve. • Context: Which files or errors are relevant. • Constraints: What the tool must not do (e.g., no new dependencies). • Done when: How to verify the task is successful.
Example of a good prompt: Goal: Reduce duplicate payment validation in src/checkout/ Context: Files in src/checkout/ and src/orders/validation.ts Constraints: Do not change public API response format. No new dependencies. Done when: pnpm test passes and the diff only shows changes in src/checkout/.
Safety Rules:
- Always commit your code before starting a task.
- Use git status and git diff to see every change.
- Never share API keys, passwords, or production tokens with the tool.
Optional learning community: https://t.me/GyaanSetuAi