Choose a workspace: give your files a clear home
Use a separate practice folder and confirm its location before creating files.
Confirm the full directory path used by your current task.
On this page
01Create a practice folder
Create an empty folder, for example Codex_Practice, for this exercise and its outputs.
The official quickstart describes choosing where to work by creating a project or opening a folder. Select your practice folder before starting the task.
02Confirm the full path
Two folders with the same name can be in different locations. Ask Codex to report the full path and compare it with the folder you selected.
First, tell me the full working directory path for this task and list the files and subfolders directly inside it. Do not modify any files yet.
Expect a full path and a file list, or a statement that the directory is empty. Creating a folder does not automatically switch the task into it; this distinction also came up while building this handbook.
03Set the scope of the work
Once the path is correct, specify that files should be created and edited only inside this practice folder. If you provide a text file with your bio, explain what it is for.
We use the fictional nickname Lin in this exercise. Real phone numbers, addresses, and private details are unnecessary.
Before you move on
Checklist progress stays in this browser. It is not uploaded or synchronized across devices.
References
Product descriptions refer to the official pages below. Exercises, prompts, and checklists were written for this handbook. Source verification date: 2026-10-02.