Deploy OpenAI Codex - Docker Deployment

Overview

This guide walks you through deploying an AI assistant powered by OpenAI Codex using Docker Deployment. You'll configure the provider, set up the deployment environment, and get your assistant running.

Requirements

• Docker: Docker Engine 20.10+
• Docker Compose: For multi-container orchestration
• OpenAI Codex credentials: API key or authentication

Step 1: Configure OpenAI Codex

Standard API key authentication

1. Create an account at platform.openai.com
2. Navigate to API Keys section
3. Generate a new API key
4. Set OPENAI_API_KEY environment variable

Step 2: Prepare Docker Deployment Environment

1. Create Dockerfile: Create a Dockerfile for OpenClaw
2. Create docker-compose.yml: Set up Docker Compose configuration
3. Build Image: Build the Docker image

   docker compose build

4. Start Container: Start the container

   docker compose up -d

5. Run Onboarding: Complete setup inside container

   docker compose exec openclaw openclaw onboard

Step 3: Configuration

Create your openclaw.json configuration:

{
  "agents": {
    "defaults": {
      "model": {
        "primary": "openai-codex/gpt-5.2"
      }
    }
  },
  "models": {
    "providers": {
      "openai-codex": {
  "models": {
    "providers": {
      "openai-codex": {
        "apiKey": "${OPENAI_API_KEY}
    }
  }
}

Step 4: Deploy

# docker-compose.yml
version: '3.8'
services:
  openclaw:
    image: node:22-slim
    command: ["sh", "-c", "npm install -g openclaw@latest && openclaw gateway"]
    ports:
      - "18789:18789"
    volumes:
      - openclaw_data:/root/.openclaw
    environment:
      - ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=${ANTHROPIC_API_KEY}
    restart: unless-stopped

volumes:
  openclaw_data:

Step 5: Verify

# Check deployment status
openclaw status

# View logs
openclaw logs --follow

# Test with a message
openclaw test "Hello, are you working?"

Connect to Channels

Now connect your deployed OpenAI Codex assistant to messaging channels: