From c85647203435f2eeb230d10f7abd470e46ae3870 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Garry Tan Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026 10:53:36 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] docs(codex): resume does not amortize the ~21K session prelude (#2387) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Measured (#2387): every codex exec call pays Codex's session prelude, and a resumed call came in slightly ABOVE a fresh one — resume buys continuity, never token savings. The skill now says so where the resume flow lives: prefer one codex call per skill, batch questions into it. Fixes #2387. Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5 --- codex/SKILL.md.tmpl | 8 ++++++++ 1 file changed, 8 insertions(+) diff --git a/codex/SKILL.md.tmpl b/codex/SKILL.md.tmpl index e641fe283..d70958779 100644 --- a/codex/SKILL.md.tmpl +++ b/codex/SKILL.md.tmpl @@ -629,6 +629,14 @@ elif [ "$_CODEX_EXIT" != "0" ]; then fi ``` +**Session-cost reality (#2387, measured):** every `codex exec` call — resumed +or fresh — pays Codex's ~21K-token session prelude (its skill catalogue + +instructions); `resume` does NOT amortize it (a measured resume came in +slightly ABOVE a fresh call). Resume buys conversational continuity, never +token savings. So: prefer ONE codex call per skill where the workflow allows, +batch questions into that call, and reach for resume only when the follow-up +genuinely needs the prior session's context. + For a **resumed session** (user chose "Continue"): ```bash _REPO_ROOT=$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel) || { echo "ERROR: not in a git repo" >&2; exit 1; }