Bifrost CLI + Codex CLI: One Command to Set Up OpenAI's Coding Agent with Any Model

Tired of manually configuring API keys, and provider paths every time you launch a coding agent? Bifrost CLI solves this with a single command. Launch Codex CLI (or Claude Code, Opencode) through your Bifrost gateway with no configuration. The CLI handles everything automatically: base URLs, API keys, model selection, and MCP integration.

Bifrost CLI is an interactive terminal tool that connects your favorite coding agents to your Bifrost gateway. Instead of environment variables and config files, you just run a command and pick your agent, model, and go. npx -y @maximhq/bifrost-cli

What it does for you: ✅ Automatically configures base URLs, API keys, and model settings ✅ Fetches available models from your Bifrost gateway ✅ Installs missing agents via npm if needed ✅ Auto-attaches Bifrost's MCP server for tool access ✅ Launches agents in a tabbed terminal UI ✅ Stores your selections securely in OS keyring Supported agents: Claude Code (with MCP auto-attach) Codex CLI (OpenAI's coding agent) Gemini CLI (Google's agent) Opencode (Custom models support) 💎 Star Bifrost ☆

⚙️ 2. Getting Started in 3 Easy Steps

It takes only 5 minutes to use the CLI. Make sure your Bifrost gateway is running: npx -y @maximhq/bifrost -p 8000

Gateway starts at http://localhost:8000

In another terminal: npx -y @maximhq/bifrost-cli

The CLI guides you through: Base URL — Enter your Bifrost gateway URL Virtual Key (optional) — If you have authentication enabled Choose Agent — Pick Codex, Claude Code, Gemini, or Opencode Select Model — Searchable list of available models from your gateway Review & Launch — Press Enter to start That's it. Your agent launches with everything configured automatically. Bifrost CLI stores configuration automatically: { "base_url": "http://localhost:8000", "default_harness": "codex", "default_model": "openai/gpt-4o" }

The magic: Base URL and API keys are fetched from your Bifrost gateway Your Codex CLI gets the correct provider path (/openai) Model selection happens from available models in the gateway Virtual keys are stored securely in OS keyring (never plaintext) Switch agents anytime: Press Ctrl+B to open the tab bar. Then: h — Switch to different agent (Claude Code, Codex, Gemini, Opencode) m — Pick different model Enter — Launch

and more. No environment variables. No config editing. Just shortcuts. After launch, you stay in a persistent tabbed terminal UI. Switch between sessions without re-running the CLI: Ctrl+B — Open tab bar n — New session x — Close current tab h/l — Navigate tabs 1-9 — Jump to specific tab

Status badges: Agent is working Session idle and ready Terminal alert For Codex CLI specifically: MCP server auto-configured for Bifrost Access to all your configured tools through the gateway Automatic provider path routing (/openai) The session flow is seamless: Launch → Work → Switch Sessions → Return → Re-launch

Your last selections are remembered. Next time you run bifrost, you'll see the summary screen with your previous configuration ready. Custom config path: npx -y @maximhq/bifrost-cli -config ./my-project/bifrost.json

Useful for multiple Bifrost gateways or project-specific setups. Available flags: -config <path> # Custom config file location -no-resume # Skip resume flow, start fresh setup -worktree <name> # Create git worktree (Claude Code only)

Keyboard shortcuts during setup: Enter — Launch with current settings r — Open documentation l — Toggle harness exit logs

and more. Example: Launch with custom worktree npx -y @maximhq/bifrost-cli -worktree feature-branch

This launches Claude Code in an isolated git worktree for parallel development. Bifrost CLI requires: Node.js 18+ (for npx) A running Bifrost gateway

First time

npx -y @maximhq/bifrost-cli

If installed, just run

bifrost

Before Bifrost CLI: ❌ Set OPENAI_API_KEY manually ❌ Edit config files with provider paths ❌ Manage API keys in plaintext ❌ Switch agents = reconfigure everything ❌ No centralized model management After Bifrost CLI: ✅ One command: bifrost

✅ Everything auto-configured ✅ Keys stored securely in OS keyring ✅ Switch agents with one shortcut ✅ Models fetched from gateway ✅ MCP integration automatic ✅ Persistent tabbed sessions For Codex CLI users, this means instant access to OpenAI's powerful coding agent with Bifrost's routing, control, and MCP tools — all from one command.

Start Bifrost gateway

npx -y @maximhq/bifrost

Launch CLI (in another terminal)

npx -y @maximhq/bifrost-cli

Follow interactive setup

Select: Codex CLI → Model → Launch

Once running, use Ctrl+B to switch sessions

Bifrost CLI eliminates the friction of coding agent setup no more config files, or manual key management. One command npx -y @maximhq/bifrost-cli) launches your agent with everything automatically Resources: Bifrost GitHub: https://github.com/maximhq/bifrost

Bifrost Docs: https://docs.getbifrost.ai