/status doesn't mention global AGENTS.md

[nicholaswmin]

Steps

• launch codex CLI with global ~/.codex/AGENTS.md/$CODEX_HOME/AGENTS.md present
• run /status

Expected

• global AGENTS.md listed in AGENTS files row

Actual

• reports AGENTS files: (none)

[alexprotonotarios]

it works fine in mine.

[nicholaswmin]

@alexprotonotarios what's "mine"? version? OS?

[alexprotonotarios]

@alexprotonotarios what's "mine"? version? OS?

macOS
version 0.36

[nicholaswmin]

Path to global file? Do you set $CODEX_HOME?

I find that strange since before the patch, the status line’s AGENTS list just iterated the results of discover_project_doc_paths(...), which only walks the repo tree.

This is about showing up in the /status report for a global AGENTS.md, not any AGENTS.md. Are you sure you didn't misread this?

[wbdb]

I have the same behavior (Windows 11 Pro / Ubuntu 24.04 WSL2). I had already considered whether it would make sense to change this. But I think that's how it's supposed to be?

[nicholaswmin]

No it doesn't make any sense not to print an AGENTS.md that is picked up and composed as context.
Maybe if it was entirely replaced by closer memory files, sure; but that's not the case (the AGENTS.md isn't a protocol but the convention is clear about the closer-one-wins mechanics; its only if there is a conflict, otherwise they compose)

FYI,

• it's used as context if it exists at $CODEX_HOME/AGENTS.md
• it consumes context and the UI reflects this
• It is just not mentioned in /status - only.

to me this looks like a crystal clear oversight, nothing more.

The patch I submitted just ensures that /status mentions it as well;
it's ready if you wanna give it a spin in: #3796

[wbdb]

I came up with the idea because the top item was called Workspace. But yes, it is taken into account, which I then tested, and I also think it should be displayed.

[hi-fox]

A global agents.md file has been added now? How do I use this? I have had an AGENTS.md file in my .codex folder on windows for a while, how do i make sure this is loaded?

[wbdb]

~/.codex/AGENTS.md
“Reply to me with a short joke before every message.”

It's loading :D

More precisely: Config::load_from_base_config_with_overrides calls Config::load_instructions, which reads codex_home/AGENTS.md (by default ~/.codex/AGENTS.md) and stores the content in config.user_instructions (codex-rs/core/src/config.rs:858 and codex-rs/core/src/config.rs:1060).

[bos]

The $HOME/.codex/AGENTS.md file is read, but /status doesn't actually tell the user, which makes a situation ripe for confusion as comments above indicate. I had to actually read the codex code today to convince myself that its content probably is being used.

[nicholaswmin]

Well I've issued a PR: #3796 but it's in desperate need of a test drive.

also yes @bos is correct, the file is read.