Codex Cache
Codex stores reusable local cache data under ~/.codex/cache so the app and its connectors can avoid re-downloading metadata and rebuilding transient state on every launch. That cache typically includes API and model metadata snapshots, connector capability indexes, fetched asset thumbnails, HTTP response bodies, temporary JSON manifests, and SQLite cache files with WAL and SHM sidecars used for fast lookups. Kudu clears only this disposable cache so Codex can rebuild fresh metadata without touching sessions, archives, memories, attachments, generated images, credentials, configuration, plugins, or installed runtimes.
Why clean Codex Cache?
- Stale connector metadata can make a provider or integration appear unsupported, so menus show missing actions or a connector refuses to initialize until fresh capability data is fetched
- Expired HTTP response caches may keep old model lists or limits on disk, causing missing newly released models, outdated context limits, or validation errors when starting a task
- Corrupted SQLite cache files or WAL sidecars can leave Codex stuck rereading bad index data, which shows up as slow startup, repeated loading spinners, or connector panels that never finish populating
- After backend or app updates, cached JSON manifests may no longer match the current schema, leading to blank cards, duplicated entries, or errors when browsing connector metadata
- Large thumbnail and fetched asset caches can grow quietly over time, consuming disk space and making cache scans slower even though none of that data is required to keep your sessions or attachments
- SQLite page fragmentation inside cache databases can waste space and slow metadata lookups; VACUUM rewrites the database pages without deleting rows, while clearing the cache lets Codex rebuild a compact copy from live sources
- Partially written cache entries after a crash or forced shutdown can leave inconsistent local metadata behind, which users notice as stale search results, wrong connector status, or items that disappear after refresh
Cache paths Kudu targets
Windows
~/.codex/cache |
macOS
~/.codex/cache |
Linux
~/.codex/cache |
Common questions about Codex Cache
Download Kudu and reclaim your disk space.
Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. No account required, no feature gates, no telemetry without consent. All cleaning targets are open source and community-auditable.