Codex, a Flexport operations guide

Codex helps you turn work materials into usable outputs: tables, insights, decks, dashboards, tools, and recurring workflows.

Guide outline

  • What Codex isChatGPT-style conversation plus files, folders, outputs, tools, and code.
  • Where it helps operationsFiles to tables, tables to insights, insights to outputs, data to tools.
  • How to startChoose chat or project, set access, plugins, model, reasoning, and speed.
  • Workflows to copyUse one prompt formula, then adapt the sample workflows.

What Codex is

Codex is like ChatGPT, but connected to work. If ChatGPT is a thinking partner, Codex is a working partner.

ChatGPT

  • Answers questions from the context you provide.
  • Useful for drafts, explanations, and brainstorming.

Codex

  • Works with files, folders, tools, and code.
  • Creates outputs such as workbooks, decks, dashboards, scripts, websites, and apps.

What Flexport operations can use it for

Use this pattern anywhere there is source material, a desired output, and a person who checks the result.

Files to tables

Turn PDFs, exports, notes, and messy documents into structured rows and columns.

Tables to insights

Find trends, exceptions, risks, missing fields, and patterns worth discussing.

Insights to outputs

Create customer updates, account reviews, summaries, decks, or internal briefs.

Data to tools

Build dashboards, calculators, validation scripts, small apps, websites, or Sites.

Repeat work

After a process works once, turn it into a reusable skill or recurring automation.

Use approved tools

Connect to Drive, Slack, Gmail, Calendar, or other approved sources when available.

How to get started

Start by choosing where you want to work.

Outside a project: chat

Use this for quick questions, brainstorming, drafting, or explaining something when Codex does not need to read or save files.

Inside a project: folders and files

Use this when Codex should read PDFs, spreadsheets, docs, exports, code, or examples and save outputs in the project folder.

Before your first prompt

Access and approvals

In settings, choose how much Codex can access and when it should ask before acting.

Plugins

Enable approved plugins only when you need Drive files, Slack context, calendar context, or other tools.

Model and reasoning

Use the default model, such as GPT-5.5 where available. Start with medium reasoning; use high or extra high for harder work.

Speed

Use standard speed by default. Use fast mode only when time matters and higher usage is acceptable.

Access and approvals

Access controls what Codex can reach. Approvals control when Codex should ask before acting.

Where to set this: open Codex settings, then check permissions, approvals, and access mode before starting a project.

Folder access

Codex starts with the selected project folder. Best for first attempts and normal file work.

Broader access

Use only when the task needs files, tools, or internet access beyond the project folder.

Auto-review

An approval helper for routine requests. It does not expand what Codex can access by itself.

Sample workflows

A good prompt tells Codex what to use, what to make, who it is for, and what to flag.

Prompt formula

Use [source material] to create [output] for [audience]. Include [must-have details]. Flag anything unclear.
1 · Large-file spreadsheet

Synthesize source files into a spreadsheet

Use when PDFs, exports, or notes need to become rows and columns.

copy prompt
Synthesize [source files] into a spreadsheet with [tabs or columns]. Flag unclear fields and include source names.
2 · Analyze workbook

Find the useful patterns

Use when a workbook needs trends, exceptions, or discussion points.

copy prompt
Analyze and summarize insights in [table/workbook] for [audience].
3 · Presentation

Create a customer review deck

Use when shipment insights need to become a clear account review.

copy prompt
Create [output] for [audience] using [source]. Include [sections] and assumptions to verify.
4 · Dashboard

Create an interactive dashboard

Use when teams need to filter, compare, and discuss shipment performance.

copy prompt
Build an interactive dashboard from [source]. Add filters for [fields]. Show [metrics] and [any additional details].

Codex kit

Keep these terms light. They explain what you saw in the demo.

Project

What it is

A workspace connected to a folder.

Use for

Reading files and saving outputs in one place.

Where to start

Create a project from the folder with the approved source files.

Plugin

What it is

A way for Codex to connect to approved tools like Drive, Slack, Gmail, or Calendar.

Use for

Finding approved shared context.

Where to start

Open Plugins, add the tool, then connect it when prompted.

Skill

What it is

Reusable instructions.

Use for

Repeating a format, style, or workflow.

Where to start

Ask Codex to create a skill after a workflow works once.

Automation

What it is

A scheduled Codex task.

Use for

Recurring checks and refreshes.

Where to start

Ask Codex to schedule the task, then review runs in Automations or Triage.

Sites / code

What it is

Apps, dashboards, websites, scripts, or hosted pages.

Use for

Tools people can open and reuse.

Where to start

Ask Codex to build the tool first; use Sites when it should be hosted.

Onboarding checklist

A guided path from watching the demo to getting one real Codex workflow running.

Checklist to get started

Start with one output, then try the tools that make Codex reusable.

0/9 complete

Before you send or publish anything

Codex can create a strong first draft. The operator owns the final judgment.

  • Numbers match the source files.
  • Unclear fields are marked.
  • Assumptions are visible.
  • Customer-sensitive data is removed.
  • Sharing settings are correct.
  • The output fits Flexport operations context.