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Codex CLI + Ruby

Codex CLI + Ruby: Automating Codebase Navigation via Command Line

Picture this: you’ve inherited a sprawling Ruby codebase with no documentation. It feels like wandering through a dense forest without a compass. Enter OpenAI’s Codex CLI, your AI companion that turns code spelunking into a guided tour.

But here’s the twist: instead of using the interactive UI, we’ll streamline our workflow using CLI parameters. Think of it as skipping the tour guide and going straight for the map.

Setting Up Codex CLI

First, install Codex CLI and set your API key:

npm install -g @openai/codex
export OPENAI_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"

Navigate to your Ruby project:

cd path/to/your/ruby_project

Initialize Git if needed:

git init

Exploring the Codebase from the Command Line

Instead of launching Codex in interactive mode, we’ll use the --query parameter for direct questions:

codex --query "Explain the purpose of this codebase."

Codex will respond with a high-level summary, giving you an overview without needing to navigate the UI.

Analyzing Specific Methods or Classes

If you want to dive into a particular method, pass your question as a parameter:

codex --query "What does the 'process_order' method in 'order.rb' do?"

Codex will parse the file and provide a clear, concise explanation.

Automating Refactoring

Need to improve code without manual editing? Use the --query parameter with a specific command:

codex --query "Refactor 'calculate_total' method in 'cart.rb' to use 'inject' instead of a loop."

Codex will suggest improvements and display the modified code directly in your terminal.

Running Tests

To validate changes, use the CLI to execute tests:

codex --query "Run the test suite to verify all tests pass."

Codex will run the tests and report the outcome, ensuring your changes didn’t break the code.

Visual Summary

Here’s a conceptual map of Codex CLI operations when using parameters instead of the UI:

References

By using command-line parameters, you unlock a faster, more automated way to explore, refactor, and test your Ruby codebase with Codex CLI.