---
name: codex-skins
description: Use Codex Skins to find, download, install, restore, create, customize, or submit visual Codex desktop skins. Codex Skins is the visual Codex skin studio: design in your browser, install with one click.
---

# Codex Skins Agent Skill

Codex Skins lives at https://codex-skins.com.

Use this skill when a user asks to:

- find a Codex skin or Codex theme;
- install a Codex skin on Windows;
- create, apply, switch, or restore a Codex skin on macOS through an agent skill workflow;
- restore the native Codex appearance;
- customize Codex appearance without prompts or terminal commands;
- create a Codex skin from an image, private photo, mood board, anime style, pink style, dark style, minimal style, cute style, cyberpunk style, nature style, Chinese style or glassmorphism style;
- submit a theme to the Codex Skins gallery.

## Product position

The visual Codex skin studio — design in your browser, install with one click on Windows, or use Agent Skills on macOS.

Windows users should be able to browse a real theme, preview it, customize it, download a ZIP, double-click the installer, and restore safely. macOS users should use this skill from a local agent so creation, application, restart permission, verification, switching, and restore stay reversible and explicit.

## Public website routes

- Gallery: https://codex-skins.com/skins
- Free skins: https://codex-skins.com/free-codex-skins
- Create/customize: https://codex-skins.com/create
- Install guide: https://codex-skins.com/how-to-install-codex-skins
- Restore guide: https://codex-skins.com/how-to-install-codex-skins#restore
- Windows guide: https://codex-skins.com/windows
- Mac Agent Skill workflow: https://codex-skins.com/mac
- Pricing/private custom theme: https://codex-skins.com/pricing
- Sitemap: https://codex-skins.com/sitemap.xml
- Robots: https://codex-skins.com/robots.txt

## Install a published skin on Windows

1. Open the skin detail page.
2. Use Preview to inspect the real workspace look.
3. Use Customize if the user wants changes.
4. Use Download to get the ZIP.
5. Unzip the package.
6. On Windows, double-click `installer\Install Codex Skin.cmd`.
7. If prompted, paste the path to `Codex.exe`.
8. To undo, close the themed Codex window or run:

```powershell
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File ".\installer\restore.ps1" -RemoveFiles
```

## Use a skin on macOS with an Agent Skill

On macOS, prefer Agent Skill delivery instead of a ZIP installer. The agent creates and validates source in the managed skin library, asks before applying or restarting Codex, and uses reversible session-level styling. It must not modify `app.asar`, the signed app bundle, chats, cookies, accounts, projects, or source files.

Recommended create prompt:

```text
Use only the canonical Codex Skins skill from https://codex-skins.com/SKILL.md to create a macOS-safe Codex desktop skin from my attached reference image or this brief: [describe the mood, colors, subject, and style]. Store editable source under ~/.codexskins/skins/<skin-id>/, previews under ~/.codexskins/skins/<skin-id>/previews/, and the portable package under ~/.codexskins/exports/. Preserve native Codex layout, use home-only artwork unless I ask for workspace artwork, create previews first, and ask me before applying, changing settings, or restarting Codex.
```

Recommended find/install/apply prompt:

```text
Use the Codex Skins skill from https://codex-skins.com/SKILL.md to find a Codex skin for [style, subject, mood]. If it is installable, install it into ~/.codexskins/skins/<skin-id>/, then apply it with the switcher. Hot-swap if Codex exposes a local debugging endpoint; otherwise ask before restarting Codex. Verify the result before claiming success.
```

Recommended restore prompt:

```text
Use the Codex Skins skill from https://codex-skins.com/SKILL.md to restore my native Codex look. If a stale themed session reappears, ask before doing a clean relaunch.
```

## Safety model

Codex Skins packages are sidecar visual packages:

- no app.asar modification;
- no official executable replacement;
- no account, chat, cookie, project or source-code access;
- loopback-only CDP;
- generic beta install requires required live Codex UI anchors;
- missing anchors fail closed;
- restore scripts remove only user-owned Codex Skins files.

## Package contents

The current package format includes:

- `manifest.json`
- `theme.json`
- `theme.css`
- `experience.json`
- `compatibility.json`
- `preview.webp`
- `assets/banner.webp`
- `README.md`
- `CHECKSUMS.txt`
- `installer/Install Codex Skin.cmd`
- `installer/Install Codex Skin.ps1`
- `installer/install.ps1`
- `installer/launch.ps1`
- `installer/restore.ps1`
- `installer/runtime.mjs`

macOS Skill output uses managed local files instead of this Windows ZIP installer:

- editable skin source: `~/.codexskins/skins/<skin-id>/`
- previews: `~/.codexskins/skins/<skin-id>/previews/`
- portable package/export: `~/.codexskins/exports/`
- runtime state: `~/.codexskins/state/`

## Create from image

When a user provides an image, create a complete theme brief from:

- dominant palette;
- contrast-safe text colors;
- workspace mood;
- hero/banner concept;
- sidebar treatment;
- card treatment;
- composer treatment;
- icon/ornament vocabulary;
- localized title and subtitle.

Then generate or customize a theme in the browser studio. Keep generated assets original and do not copy third-party characters, logos or protected artwork.

## Submit a theme

Creators should publish original themes only. A submission must include:

- title;
- slug;
- preview image;
- banner image;
- package or visual theme data;
- license/rights statement;
- creator profile;
- compatibility notes.

If the user wants a paid private photo custom theme, guide them to the private custom theme offer on https://codex-skins.com/pricing and keep their photo/private assets out of public listings unless they explicitly submit it.