How to use Codex in Obsidian

SystemSculpt lets you run your installed, signed-in Codex inside an Obsidian vault on desktop. Use it if you already use Codex and want a chat pane that can read your notes and work on files without a separate SystemSculpt plan.

Published 3 min read

SystemSculpt chat running on Codex in Auto mode, creating a bird checklist note from the Bird list note.SystemSculpt chat running on Codex in Auto mode, creating a bird checklist note from the Bird list note.
Codex on this Mac, in Auto mode, creates a new note inside the sample vault.Étretat: The Beach and the Falaise d'Amont, Claude Monet, 1885
On this page

What you need

You need Obsidian on a desktop computer, SystemSculpt 6.15 or later, and Codex installed and signed in on that computer. Codex keeps its own account and usage; SystemSculpt does not supply a Codex subscription. On a phone or tablet, SystemSculpt chat uses hosted SystemSculpt AI instead.

Set it up

  1. In Obsidian, open Settings → Community plugins. Find SystemSculpt AI, then Install and Enable it.
  2. Open SystemSculpt chat, then choose Codex in the run line below the message box.
  3. Check that the run line shows Codex, attach a note with @ and ask a question about it. Start with a request such as “Summarize the decisions in this note.”
SystemSculpt chat's backend menu listing Claude Code and Codex on this Mac and hosted SystemSculpt.SystemSculpt chat's backend menu listing Claude Code and Codex on this Mac and hosted SystemSculpt.
The backend menu below the message box lists Codex on this Mac once it is installed and signed in.

If Codex is not detected, check that it runs and is signed in on the same computer, then use Detect again in the backend menu. Your SystemSculpt license is not the fix for a missing local CLI. See Choose your AI for setup and Troubleshooting for recovery.

Work on a note

Codex can read and change vault files. New chats default to Auto, subject to preserved native preferences and Codex's review behavior; when an action needs approval, SystemSculpt presents the request in the chat. Read the requested action before approving it, or choose a stricter mode before the run.

The picture at the top shows Codex creating a bird checklist from an existing note: a real run in a fictional sample vault.

Attach context and return later

Type @ or [[ to select a note for the conversation. Saved chats are Markdown notes in your vault; use Cmd/Ctrl+K in chat to search history and return to a previous conversation. Codex keeps its own sign-in, permissions and native session history. Saved chats reopen on their original backend. See the chat workspace guide for attachments, history and approvals.

SystemSculpt chat composer with two attachments, the Launch sync note and Printer quote.pdf, and a question being typed.SystemSculpt chat composer with two attachments, the Launch sync note and Printer quote.pdf, and a question being typed.
Type @ to attach a note. Shown in a SystemSculpt AI chat.

What uses SystemSculpt credits?

Chat on your own Codex uses Codex's account and does not require SystemSculpt chat credits. Hosted SystemSculpt features, such as semantic indexing, audio processing and document processing, still use SystemSculpt credits. Compare the free start and paid plans if you want those features as well.

Questions

Does this connect the ChatGPT website to my vault?

No. This runs your installed, signed-in Codex CLI inside Obsidian. It is not a connection to a browser tab.

Do I need an MCP server?

No. You do not need to set up an MCP server for this SystemSculpt integration.

Does this work on iPhone or Android?

Codex chat is desktop only. SystemSculpt AI is the chat backend on Obsidian mobile.

Does “on this computer” mean offline AI?

No. The Codex process runs on your computer, but it can send relevant content to its AI service. Follow that service's terms and the permissions you choose.

Try SystemSculpt in your vault.

SystemSculpt is an AI plugin for Obsidian. Use your own Claude Code or Codex on desktop, or SystemSculpt AI on desktop and mobile.

What SystemSculpt doesCompare plans