Subagent

Codex Worker

Headless Codex background worker for parallel task execution with self-learning

Type: Subagent
Repository: ruvnet/agentic-flow
GitHub stars: 813
License: Not declared
Repo last updated: Sep 16, 2026
Source file: .claude/agents/dual-mode/codex-worker.md

What Codex Worker is

Codex Worker is a subagent published in the ruvnet/agentic-flow repository on GitHub, which has about 813 stars. The repository describes itself as: “Easily switch between alternative low-cost AI models in Claude Code/Agent SDK. For those comfortable using Claude agents and commands, it lets you take what you've created and deploy fully hosted agents for real business purposes. Use Claude Code to get the agent working, then deploy it in your favorite cloud.”

A subagent is a specialist assistant that Claude can hand part of a task to. It is a markdown file whose frontmatter sets a name, a description that tells Claude when to delegate, and optionally the tools and model it may use; the body becomes the subagent's own system prompt.

Because a subagent works in its own context, it keeps the main conversation focused: Claude can send a narrow job, such as a review or a specialised analysis, to Codex Worker and get back a compact result.

How to install Codex Worker

Claude Code

Download codex-worker.md from the repository.
Save it to ~/.claude/agents/ to use it in every project, or to .claude/agents/ inside one project to share it through version control.
Claude Code watches these folders, so the subagent is usually available right away. Ask Claude to use it by name, or @-mention it to make sure it runs.

Claude Cowork

Cowork loads subagents through plugins. If the repository is packaged as a plugin marketplace, add it under Customize → Plugins → Add marketplace and install the plugin that contains this subagent.
Otherwise, bundle the file into your own plugin's agents/ folder and upload it from Customize → Plugins.

New to extending Cowork? Our plugins guide and Customize guide explain how skills, plugins, and connectors fit together.

Inside the source file

The repository does not declare an open-source license, so we list only the outline of the file here. Read the full text on GitHub.

Execution Model
Core Responsibilities
Self-Learning Workflow
Before Starting Task
After Completing Task
Spawn Commands
Basic Worker
With Budget Limit
With Specific Tools
Worker Types
Coder Worker
Tester Worker
Documenter Worker
Reviewer Worker

Open codex-worker.md on GitHub

Before you install

Read the whole file first. Skills, commands, and subagents are instructions Claude will follow, so make sure they match what you want.
Check which tools, scripts, or MCP servers it uses. Local servers and scripts run with your permissions.
Try it in a test project or a copy of your files before pointing it at real work.
Pin the version you tested, and review changes before updating.
Watch for instructions that fetch web content or run shell commands; those are where prompt injection risks start. See our prompt injection guide.

FAQ

What is Codex Worker?

Codex Worker is a subagent for Claude Code and Claude Cowork from the ruvnet/agentic-flow repository on GitHub. Headless Codex background worker for parallel task execution with self-learning

How do I install Codex Worker in Claude Code?

Download codex-worker.md from the repository. Save it to ~/.claude/agents/ to use it in every project, or to .claude/agents/ inside one project to share it through version control. Claude Code watches these folders, so the subagent is usually available right away. Ask Claude to use it by name, or @-mention it to make sure it runs.

Can I use Codex Worker in Claude Cowork?

Cowork loads subagents through plugins. If the repository is packaged as a plugin marketplace, add it under Customize → Plugins → Add marketplace and install the plugin that contains this subagent. Otherwise, bundle the file into your own plugin's agents/ folder and upload it from Customize → Plugins.

Is Codex Worker safe to install?

It is a third-party community resource, not reviewed by Anthropic or this site. Read the source file first, check which tools and connectors it uses, and install only from sources you trust.

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Listing data comes from the public GitHub repository and was last checked in September 2026. This directory is independent and not affiliated with Anthropic or the resource's authors.