codex - 💡(How to fix) Fix Bug: app switches to New chat on its own while idle [1 comments, 2 participants]

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openai/codex#17494Fetched 2026-04-12 13:27:42
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Root Cause

Additional information

This has been happening for several days. The problem appears to be a UI/navigation reset rather than thread deletion, because previous threads remain visible in the sidebar. A screenshot is available showing the app on the "New chat" screen while prior threads are still present.

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What version of Codex is running?

Codex desktop app on Windows

Which model were you using?

GPT-5.4

What platform is your computer?

Windows

What steps can reproduce the bug?

Leave the app idle without doing anything. After some time, the UI unexpectedly switches to "New chat" by itself.

What is the expected behavior?

The current thread should stay open and focused until I explicitly open a new chat.

What do you see instead?

The app jumps to a new empty chat without any user interaction. Existing threads are still visible in the left sidebar, but the main view is replaced by "New chat".

Additional information

This has been happening for several days. The problem appears to be a UI/navigation reset rather than thread deletion, because previous threads remain visible in the sidebar. A screenshot is available showing the app on the "New chat" screen while prior threads are still present.

extent analysis

TL;DR

The issue may be resolved by implementing a timeout or inactivity handler to prevent the UI from switching to "New chat" when the app is left idle.

Guidance

  • Investigate the Codex desktop app's idle timeout settings to see if there's a configurable threshold that can be adjusted to prevent the UI switch.
  • Review the app's navigation and routing logic to identify potential causes for the unexpected switch to "New chat", such as a periodic refresh or update mechanism.
  • Consider adding a flag or indicator to track user activity and prevent the UI switch when the app is idle, but the user has not explicitly closed or navigated away from the current thread.
  • Examine the screenshot provided to see if there are any visual cues or error messages that could help identify the root cause of the issue.

Example

No code snippet is provided as the issue does not contain sufficient technical details to create a specific example.

Notes

The issue may be specific to the GPT-5.4 model or the Windows platform, and further investigation is needed to determine the root cause. The fact that previous threads remain visible in the sidebar suggests that the issue is related to UI navigation rather than thread deletion.

Recommendation

Apply workaround: Implement a custom inactivity handler or timeout to prevent the UI switch, as the root cause of the issue is unclear and may require further investigation.

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codex - 💡(How to fix) Fix Bug: app switches to New chat on its own while idle [1 comments, 2 participants]