I basically never write my own /goal anymore.
I ask Codex to write one for itself, and one for each agent it spawns.
Like this 👇
Pietro Schirano showcased Codex taking a high-level prompt for a first-person Three.js roller coaster and turning it into a complete single-file build by first writing its own detailed goals then dividing the work across parallel specialized subagents.
I basically never write my own /goal anymore.
I ask Codex to write one for itself, and one for each agent it spawns.
Like this 👇
Schirano applies the same auto-generation step to every subagent Codex spawns, replacing manual goal writing with an entirely AI-driven breakdown that he calls his default workflow.
The system produced a working POV ride simulation with loops, drops, and banked turns by routing narrower jobs to individual agents before combining results, though broader adoption metrics remain unstated.
Positive users praise Codex agents auto-generating their own goals as a smart innovative feature, while negative users criticize the approach for causing goal drift and excessive token use.
Codex can see and set its own /goal. Everything we build, we build also as a tool for the agent. This is a generalization of meta prompting, where you let the agent set its own task based on your intent.
I basically never write my own /goal anymore.
I ask Codex to write one for itself, and one for each agent it spawns.
Like this 👇

dude... turned into a template hehe
Build [THING] in [TECH/FRAMEWORK]. It should include [MAIN FEATURES], with [INTERACTION/ANIMATION/BEHAVIOR DETAILS]. Make it feel [MOOD/QUALITY], using [VISUAL DETAILS], [ENVIRONMENT DETAILS], and [EXTRA EFFECTS]. Output as [FORMAT/FILE TYPE].
For this task, write yourself a new goal and spawn agents in parallel — as many as needed to do it better and faster. Split the work into independent pieces, dispatch them concurrently, and synthesize the results as they return. Give each agent its own dedicated /goal.

@skirano been doing the same for a few weeks now!
openai actually wrote an article about how to use /goal effectively. i took it and turned it into a skill:
https://github.com/Infinite-Labs-AI/infinite-skills
@skirano this is the way!
I basically never write my own /goal anymore.
I ask Codex to write one for itself, and one for each agent it spawns.
Like this 👇
@thsottiaux @sound4movement My favorite includes “can you talk to the other threads to get more context”
Codex can see and set its own /goal. Everything we build, we build also as a tool for the agent. This is a generalization of meta prompting, where you let the agent set its own task based on your intent.

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@skirano Meta-programming your own objective functions through an auto-spawning agent hierarchy is the logical endgame — interesting to see if the agents converge or drift from your original intent over time.

Here is the skill for that:
--- name: parallel-goals-for-a-task description: Convert a user's task request into a filled build brief, create a concrete top-level goal, split the work into independent parallel agent goals, and synthesize the results. Use when the user asks for Parallel goals for a task, asks to fill the build-task template, or asks Codex to solve a task with parallel goals or parallel agents. ---
# Parallel Goals For A Task
Use this skill to turn a raw user task into an actionable build brief and run the work through parallel goals.
## Filled Brief
Start by translating the user's request into this template. Replace every bracketed placeholder with relevant content from the request or conservative inferences from the current project context:
```text Build [THING] in [TECH/FRAMEWORK]. It should include [MAIN FEATURES], with [INTERACTION/ANIMATION/BEHAVIOR DETAILS]. Make it feel [MOOD/QUALITY], using [VISUAL DETAILS], [ENVIRONMENT DETAILS], and [EXTRA EFFECTS]. Output as [FORMAT/FILE TYPE]. ```
Do not leave bracketed placeholders in the filled version. If the task is not literally a visual build, adapt the fields to the nearest useful equivalents: thing, implementation environment, core deliverables, expected behavior, quality bar, surrounding constraints, helpful finishing touches, and output artifact.
Ask the user a question only when a missing detail makes the task impossible or risky to execute. Otherwise, infer the detail and keep moving.
## Goal Setup
Before dispatching work, define what done means for the task.
If a goal tool or `/goal` workflow is available, create a new top-level goal from the filled brief before starting. If the platform already has an active goal and cannot create another one, continue under the active goal and write the new objective into the working plan instead of blocking.
The top-level goal must include:
- The filled brief. - Concrete finishing criteria. - The expected final artifact or answer. - Verification that should happen before reporting back.
## Parallel Dispatch
Split the work into independent pieces that can run concurrently. Use as many agents as genuinely helpful, but do not create extra agents for work that is faster or safer to do directly.
Good parallel workstreams include:
- Product or requirements clarification from existing context. - Architecture, data model, or integration planning. - UI or interaction design. - Implementation of separate modules or files. - Test, verification, and edge-case review. - Copy, content, examples, or documentation.
Give each agent its own dedicated `/goal` in the task prompt. Keep each subgoal self-contained and non-overlapping where possible.
Use this shape for each agent prompt:
```text /goal [ONE CLEAR SUBGOAL]
Context: [Filled brief and relevant constraints.]
Deliverable: [Specific output the main agent needs back.]
Boundaries: [Files, modules, or decisions this agent owns. State any areas to avoid.]
Verification: [Checks this agent should run or reasoning it should provide.] ```
When multi-agent tools are available, dispatch the subagents concurrently and synthesize their results as they return. When those tools are not available, parallelize available local inspection commands and do the remaining work directly.
## Synthesis
The main agent owns the final result.
As agent results come back:
- Compare their recommendations against the repository or source context. - Resolve conflicts explicitly. - Apply only the parts that fit the user's request and project constraints. - Keep final edits focused and avoid unrelated refactors. - Run the smallest reliable verification that proves the result works.
If an agent returns an unverified claim, verify it before relying on it.
## Final Response
Report back with the completed result, what changed or was produced, and what verification happened. Keep the answer plain and user-facing unless the user asks for implementation details.
@thsottiaux And this flow works really well with the @MagicPathAI plugin. You can basically create an end-to-end product for all platforms with one prompt. Codex is amazing.
Codex can see and set its own /goal. Everything we build, we build also as a tool for the agent. This is a generalization of meta prompting, where you let the agent set its own task based on your intent.

@thsottiaux goal is simple + incredibly effective
btw, tibo, i took the article your colleagues wrote on how to use /goal effectively and turned it into a skill:
https://github.com/Infinite-Labs-AI/infinite-skills

@skirano but what if you dont have the meta-goal?

@wurm_lukas All you need is a request

@skirano And you always start from Low?

@skirano Which app is this one?

@enriquemoreno Codex

@thsottiaux check out my nested loop skill, it does better than a /goal — & it plays along with /goal, gives you a /goal, or a set of plans! it smartly & safely closes any findings
— /goal alone tends to be a bit too...novel, pusillanimous, or parsimonious at times! https://github.com/theislampill/IMPLEMENTAUDIT.md/

@RyanMorey I use extra all the time. I just used low here to speed up the video recording.

@pawelk411 @thsottiaux I am guessing, Opus can guess what you intent to intent tomorrow

@skirano Smart. Let the agents code themselves.

@thsottiaux Codex can write its own plans, orchestrate its own agent swarm, write and execute goals in each thread, then review and deploy on its own…
Best app of all time?