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OpenAI Codex / Performance

Codex desktop unresponsive with long threads and MCP auto-start duplicates

The desktop app becomes slow or unresponsive during large agent sessions, often with long histories, broad workspaces, or repeated MCP startup.

Codex desktop unresponsive long threadsCodex MCP auto-start duplicatesCodex non-Git workspace warning
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Error text / 报错原文

  • Codex desktop unresponsive
  • MCP auto-start duplicates
  • non-Git workspace warnings

What it means

The desktop app becomes slow or unresponsive during large agent sessions, often with long histories, broad workspaces, or repeated MCP startup.

Most common causes

  • Very long resumed threads
  • Workspace opened at a broad drive root instead of a Git repo
  • MCP servers auto-starting more than once
  • Limited RAM during parallel agent work

Fastest fix

  • Archive or start a fresh thread for the current task
  • Open the specific project folder instead of a whole drive
  • Disable unused MCP auto-start entries
  • Restart the app after long sessions

Safe fix

  • Keep one Git-backed workspace per task
  • Limit MCP servers to the project need
  • Split large refactors into smaller sessions
  • Monitor memory before launching parallel agents

What not to do

  • Do not point an agent at a full personal drive
  • Do not keep stale MCP servers enabled globally
  • Do not force-close during file writes unless the app is stuck

How to confirm the fix

Run the smallest reproducible command first, then retry the agent task only after authentication, quota, and tool discovery are stable.

git status --short --branch
codex mcp list
Get-Process | Where-Object {$_.ProcessName -match "Codex"}

Related errors

Related tools

Sources