# How to Enable Always-On Mode for i-have-adhd in Codex

> Learn how to enable always-on mode for i-have-adhd in Codex by adding the skill's rule output-style block to your AGENTS.md file for automatic ADHD-friendly rule loading.

- Repository: [Ayoub Ghriss/i-have-adhd](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-09-02

---

**To enable always-on mode for i-have-adhd in Codex, add the skill's 10-rule output-style block to your user-wide `~/.codex/AGENTS.md` file so the ADHD-friendly rules load automatically in every session.**

Codex does not automatically apply the *i-have-adhd* response rules by default. According to the [ayghri/i-have-adhd](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd) source code, the plugin only activates when explicitly requested via `$i-have-adhd` unless you configure persistent always-on mode through the [`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md) mechanism.

## Where Codex Loads Persistent Instructions

Codex searches for a user-wide configuration file at `~/.codex/AGENTS.md` at startup and merges its contents into the system prompt. This behavior mirrors the **always-on hooks** used by other runtimes (Claude, Pi, OpenCode) as implemented in [[`hooks/always-on.sh`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/hooks/always-on.sh)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/hooks/always-on.sh), but adapted for Codex's plugin architecture per [[`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md#L50-L55).

The [[`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) file contains the canonical 10-rule output style that you must copy into [`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md) to achieve always-on functionality.

## Step-by-Step Setup for Always-On Mode

### 1. Create or Edit `~/.codex/AGENTS.md`

Run this command to create the directory and file with the complete rule set:

```bash
mkdir -p ~/.codex
cat > ~/.codex/AGENTS.md <<'EOF'

## Output style

The reader has ADHD. Shape every response so it can be acted on:

1. Lead with the answer or next action: command, path, or snippet first.
2. Number multi‑step work; one bounded action per step.
3. End with one next action doable in under two minutes.
4. Finish the current issue before raising a new one.
5. Restate progress each turn ("step 3 of 5 done").
6. Give time estimates in concrete units, never "a bit".
7. After a change, show what now works.
8. Errors: state location, cause, and fix. No drama.
9. Cap lists at 5 items.
10. No preamble, no recaps, no closers.

**Exceptions:** explain fully when asked to explain. Confirm before destructive actions. After three failed fixes, stop and name the doubtful assumption. If the request is ambiguous, ask one short question.
EOF

```

### 2. Verify the Configuration

```bash
cat ~/.codex/AGENTS.md

```

You should see all 10 rules and the exceptions block printed to your terminal.

### 3. Launch Codex

```bash
codex chat

```

The ADHD-friendly rules are now **automatically active**—no `$i-have-adhd` prefix required.

## How to Disable Always-On Mode

To revert to on-demand activation (requiring `$i-have-adhd` per session), remove or rename the file:

```bash
rm ~/.codex/AGENTS.md

# Or temporarily disable: mv ~/.codex/AGENTS.md ~/.codex/AGENTS.md.bak

```

## What the 10 Rules Actually Do

Each rule in [[`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) targets specific ADHD workflow needs:

| Rule | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| **Lead with the answer** | Reduces cognitive load by front-loading actionable information |
| **Number multi-step work** | Creates clear progress markers and prevents overwhelm |
| **2-minute next actions** | Matches the ADHD-friendly "micro-task" pattern |
| **Finish before raising new issues** | Prevents task-switching and open loops |
| **Restate progress each turn** | Provides external working memory |
| **Concrete time estimates** | Eliminates vague planning triggers |
| **Show what now works** | Delivers immediate positive feedback |
| **Error: location, cause, fix** | Structured troubleshooting without emotional overhead |
| **Cap lists at 5 items** | Respects working memory limits (Miller's Law) |
| **No preamble/recaps/closers** | Eliminates friction and social fluff |

## How This Differs From Other Runtimes

The i-have-adhd repository uses different always-on mechanisms per platform:

- **Claude/Pi/OpenCode**: Shell-based hooks in [[`hooks/always-on.sh`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/hooks/always-on.sh)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/hooks/always-on.sh) that check for flag files
- **Codex**: [`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md) integration through the plugin system defined in [[`.codex-plugin/plugin.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.codex-plugin/plugin.json)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.codex-plugin/plugin.json)

The core logic is tested in [[`tests/test_always_on_hooks.py`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/tests/test_always_on_hooks.py)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/tests/test_always_on_hooks.py), which verifies consistent rule application across all supported runtimes.

## Summary

- **Always-on mode for i-have-adhd in Codex** requires manually creating `~/.codex/AGENTS.md` with the 10-rule output-style block
- Codex merges [`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md) into the system prompt at startup—there is no automatic skill loading
- The rules are sourced from [[`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) and must be copied verbatim
- Remove `~/.codex/AGENTS.md` to return to on-demand `$i-have-adhd` activation

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does installing the Codex plugin automatically enable always-on mode?

No. Installing the plugin via [[`.codex-plugin/plugin.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.codex-plugin/plugin.json)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/.codex-plugin/plugin.json) makes the skill available, but you must still type `$i-have-adhd` per session or configure [`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md) for persistent activation.

### Can I customize the 10 rules in my AGENTS.md file?

Yes, but modifications deviate from the tested behavior in [[`tests/test_always_on_hooks.py`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/tests/test_always_on_hooks.py)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/tests/test_always_on_hooks.py). The canonical rules in [[`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) are optimized for ADHD cognitive patterns.

### Why does Codex use AGENTS.md instead of hooks like Claude?

Codex's plugin architecture reads user-wide agent instructions from `~/.codex/AGENTS.md` rather than shell environment hooks. This is documented in [[`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md)](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md#L50-L55) as the platform-specific approach for achieving the same always-on outcome.

### Will AGENTS.md rules conflict with project-specific instructions?

No. Codex merges [`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md) as base context; project-level `.codex` files can layer additional instructions. The ADHD rules apply globally unless explicitly overridden by later prompt content.