Table of Contents
ChatGPT logo

Use PDMShell with Codex

PDMShell 4.0.60 supports connecting its local MCP server to Codex. Codex can then discover PDMShell commands, inspect command parameters, explain search syntax, and run approved operations through your local SOLIDWORKS PDM environment.

Important

This release supports Codex local MCP integration. It does not implement ChatGPT web integration, Microsoft Copilot integration, or a secure tunnel.

ChatGPT support

PDMShell does not connect directly to ChatGPT web in version 4.0.60. Use Codex for the local MCP connection.

No separate API key is required for the local MCP connection. Existing PDMShell licensing and SOLIDWORKS PDM permissions still apply when Codex runs commands.

Settings - AI Integrations

Open PDMShell, then go to Settings > AI Integrations.

Action What it does
Connect to Codex Configures or repairs the installer-managed Codex MCP connection.
Test local MCP connection Starts the local MCP executable and checks server communication, version reporting, and command discovery.

Results and errors appear inline on the settings page.

The connection test does not log into a vault, execute PDM commands, or start a license trial. It verifies the local MCP server, not whether Codex has loaded or approved the connection.

Codex configuration

PDMShell can configure Codex automatically when Codex already has a configuration directory.

Configuration location:

%USERPROFILE%\.codex\config.toml

If CODEX_HOME is set to an absolute path, PDMShell uses that directory instead.

Codex setup behavior:

  • Installation and updates configure Codex only when the configuration directory already exists.
  • Uninstall removes only the installer-managed PDMShell Codex entry.
  • Existing unrelated configuration, comments, enabled or disabled settings, and approval settings are preserved.
  • Configuration changes create uniquely named backups.
  • Existing manually configured PDMShell entries are left unchanged; setup reports the conflict.
  • Invalid or ambiguous configuration is left unchanged.
  • Setup failures are logged without blocking installation.
  • New entries request tool approval, use a 30-second startup timeout, and use a 1,800-second tool timeout.

Keep the generated managed-block comments in config.toml. PDMShell uses those comments so updates and uninstall can safely recognize the managed entry.

Restart Codex after configuring or repairing the connection.

Command-line switches

Switch Purpose
--configure-codex Explicitly configure or repair the Codex connection.
--configure-codex-if-present Installer mode; skips absent Codex configuration directories.
--unconfigure-codex Remove only the installer-managed Codex connection.
--test-connection Run the non-mutating local MCP test.

Troubleshooting

  • Codex does not show PDMShell: Run Connect to Codex, restart Codex, and confirm %USERPROFILE%\.codex\config.toml exists.
  • CODEX_HOME is ignored: Confirm CODEX_HOME is an absolute path. Relative paths are not used for setup.
  • Manual PDMShell entry already exists: PDMShell leaves it unchanged and reports the conflict. Remove or rename the manual entry if you want PDMShell to manage the connection.
  • Setup fails during install: Installation continues. Check the MCP setup log.
  • Local test passes but Codex does not use tools: Restart Codex and approve the connection/tools inside Codex. The local test verifies the server, not Codex approval state.

Log location:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Blue Byte Systems\PDMShell\Logs\mcp-setup.log

Signed packages and automated MCP setup tests were verified for this release. Live installer and UI validation may still be required in your environment.

Implementation behavior and test details are maintained in tests/CodexMcpSetup/README.md.

Available tools

You normally do not need to call these tools by name. Codex chooses the appropriate tool for your request.

Tool What it does
pdmshell_version Shows the installed PDMShell and MCP server versions.
pdmcli_license_status Shows the local PDMShell license status.
pdmcli_list_vaults Lists PDM vault views available on this computer.
pdmcli_list_commands Lists available PDMShell commands.
pdmcli_describe_command Explains a command and all its parameters.
pdmcli_describe_search Explains PDMShell searches and provides examples.
pdmcli_execute Runs a PDMShell command in the current session.

For Claude Desktop setup, see Use PDMShell with Claude Desktop. Continue with Advanced Search, the Command Reference, or the PDMShell release notes.

Edit this page