Superpowers × Codex
Claude orchestrates. Codex executes. One plugin, two models.
A Claude Code plugin that combines Claude's orchestration and judgment with GPT's speed at bounded coding tasks. Forked from obra/superpowers, adapted for Codex CLI delegation.
Why Two Models?
Claude and GPT have complementary strengths:
| Claude | GPT (via Codex) |
|---|
| Best at | Orchestration, planning, user dialogue, subagent coordination | Fast code generation, debugging, diff review |
| Role here | Controller — owns the conversation thread | Worker — executes bounded tasks |
| Speed | Thoughtful, context-rich | Fast mode available for supported Codex models |
The plugin keeps Claude in the driver's seat for design decisions and workflow control, while delegating execution-heavy work to Codex — getting the best of both worlds.
User ↔ Claude (controller)
│
├─ skills/ SKILL.md workflows guide Claude's decisions
│
├─ MCP Server scripts/mcp-server.mjs (primary transport)
│ ├─ codex_research read-only repo exploration
│ ├─ codex_plan first-pass implementation plans
│ ├─ codex_implement bounded coding tasks
│ ├─ codex_review structured or advisory diff review
│ ├─ codex_debug root cause investigation
│ ├─ codex_branch_analysis branch readiness check
│ └─ codex_resume resume existing thread
│
└─ Codex CLI respects ~/.codex/config.toml (model + effort) by default
Quick Start
# Add the marketplace
/plugin marketplace add mzored/superpowers-cc-to-codex
# Install the plugin
/plugin install superpowers-cc-to-codex@superpowers-cc-to-codex
Want the original Superpowers without Codex delegation? See obra/superpowers.
Configuration
.claude/codex-defaults.json is automatically created on first use. By default it defers every model/effort decision to your ~/.codex/config.toml and only opts into the ChatGPT-account fast service tier:
{
"model": "auto",
"modelMini": "auto",
"effort": "auto",
"serviceTier": "fast"
}
| Key | Description | Default |
|---|
model | Model for implementation, review, resume. auto defers to ~/.codex/config.toml. | auto |
modelMini | Model for research, planning, debug, branch analysis. Falls back to model if not set. auto defers to ~/.codex/config.toml. | auto |
effort | Reasoning effort: auto, minimal, low, medium, high, xhigh. auto defers to ~/.codex/config.toml. | auto |
serviceTier | Set to "fast" for GPT Fast mode (requires ChatGPT auth). | fast |
Resolution: explicit MCP args → project config → tool defaults. auto is a sentinel that means "do not pass -m / -c model_reasoning_effort to Codex CLI", so your global Codex configuration wins. Per-call overrides always trump these defaults.
Example — pin reasoning effort to xhigh for this project regardless of your global Codex config:
{ "effort": "xhigh", "serviceTier": "fast" }
Observability
| Environment variable | Effect |
|---|
SUPERPOWERS_CODEX_LOG_FILE | Appends sanitized Codex and MCP lifecycle events as JSON Lines. Prompt text is redacted. |
SUPERPOWERS_CODEX_LOG=1 | Mirrors sanitized lifecycle events to stderr as JSON for local debugging. |
Run npm run doctor -- --verbose with SUPERPOWERS_CODEX_LOG_FILE set to summarize the last 100 events by mode, retry count, recent errors, and p50/p95 invocation duration.
Skills
| Skill | What it does | MCP Tool |
|---|
brainstorming-codex | Design exploration with bounded repo research | codex_research |
writing-plans-codex | Plan creation with Codex first-pass drafting | codex_plan |
subagent-driven-development-codex | Task execution with implementer + reviewer | codex_implement + codex_review |
requesting-code-review-codex | Structured or advisory diff review | codex_review |
receiving-code-review-codex | External feedback reception with verification | codex_review |
systematic-debugging-codex | 4-phase debugging with root cause investigation | codex_debug |
test-driven-development-codex | Strict red-green-refactor TDD | codex_implement (TDD mode) |
finishing-a-development-branch-codex | Branch completion with readiness analysis | codex_branch_analysis |
dispatching-parallel-agents-codex | Parallel independent-domain dispatch | codex_implement (parallel) |
verification-before-completion-codex | Evidence-before-claims safety gate | Claude-side only |
using-git-worktrees-codex | Isolated worktree setup with safety checks | Claude-side only |
Requirements
