---
name: collaborating-with-claude
description: Use the Claude Code CLI to consult Claude and delegate coding tasks for prototyping, debugging, and code review. Supports multi-turn sessions via SESSION_ID. Optimized for low-token, file/line-based handoff.
metadata:
  short-description: Delegate to Claude Code CLI
---

# Collaborating with Claude Code (Codex)

Use Claude Code CLI as a collaborator while keeping Codex as the primary implementer.

This skill provides a lightweight bridge script (`scripts/claude_bridge.py`) that returns structured JSON and supports multi-turn sessions via `SESSION_ID`.

## When to use
- You want a second opinion (design tradeoffs, edge cases, missing tests).
- You want Claude to propose or review a **unified diff** (Claude does not edit files).
- You want multi-turn back-and-forth while you implement locally.

## When not to use
- The task is trivial or one-shot (do it directly in Codex).
- You need authoritative facts that require browsing/citations (Claude may guess).
- You might paste sensitive data (secrets, private keys, prod logs).

## Core rules
- Claude is a collaborator; you own the final result and must verify changes locally.
- Do not invoke `claude` directly; always use the bridge script (`scripts/claude_bridge.py`) so output/session handling stays consistent.
- Prefer file/line references over pasting snippets. Run the bridge with `--cd` set to the repo root (it sets the `claude` process working directory); use `--add-dir` when Claude needs access to additional directories.
- For code changes, request **Unified Diff Patch ONLY** and forbid direct file modification.
- Always run the bridge script with `--help` first if you are unsure of parameters.
- Always capture `SESSION_ID` and reuse it for follow-ups to keep the collaboration conversation-aware.
- For automation, prefer `--SESSION_ID` (resume). Session selectors are mutually exclusive: choose one of `--SESSION_ID`, `--continue`, or `--session-id`.
- Keep a short **Collaboration State Capsule** updated while this skill is active.
- Default timeout: when invoking via the Codex command runner, set `timeout_ms` to **600000 (10 minutes)** unless a shorter/longer timeout is explicitly required.
- Default model: prefer `sonnet` for routine work; use `opus` only for complex tasks or when explicitly requested.
- Ensure Claude Code is logged in before running headless commands (run `claude` and `/login` once if needed).
- Streamed JSON requires `--verbose`; the bridge enables this automatically.

## Model selection

Claude Code supports model aliases, so you can use `--model sonnet` / `--model opus` instead of hard-coding versioned model IDs.

- If you omit `--model`, Claude Code uses its configured default (typically from `~/.claude/settings.json`, optionally overridden by `.claude/settings.json` and `.claude/settings.local.json`).
- If you need strict reproducibility, pass a full model name via `--model <full-name>`.

## Quick start (shell-safe)

⚠️ If your prompt contains Markdown backticks (`` `like/this` ``), do **not** pass it directly via `--PROMPT "..."` (your shell may treat backticks as command substitution). Use a heredoc instead; see `references/shell-quoting.md`.

```bash
PROMPT="$(cat <<'EOF'
Review src/auth.py around login() and propose fixes.
OUTPUT: Unified Diff Patch ONLY.
EOF
)"
python3 .codex/skills/collaborating-with-claude/scripts/claude_bridge.py --cd "." --model sonnet --PROMPT "$PROMPT" --output-format stream-json
```

**Output:** JSON with `success`, `SESSION_ID`, `agent_messages`, and optional `error` / `all_messages`.

## Multi-turn sessions

```bash
# Start a session
PROMPT="$(cat <<'EOF'
Analyze the bug in foo(). Keep it short.
EOF
)"
python3 .codex/skills/collaborating-with-claude/scripts/claude_bridge.py --cd "." --PROMPT "$PROMPT" --output-format stream-json

# Continue the same session
PROMPT="$(cat <<'EOF'
Now propose a minimal fix as Unified Diff Patch ONLY.
EOF
)"
python3 .codex/skills/collaborating-with-claude/scripts/claude_bridge.py --cd "." --SESSION_ID "<SESSION_ID>" --PROMPT "$PROMPT" --output-format stream-json
```

## Prompting patterns (token efficient)

Use `assets/prompt-template.md` as a starter when crafting `--PROMPT`.

### 1) Ask Claude to open files itself
Provide:
- Entry file(s) and approximate line numbers
- Objective and constraints
- Output format (diff vs analysis)

Avoid:
- Pasting large code blocks
- Multiple competing objectives in one request

### 2) Enforce safe output for code changes
Append this to prompts when requesting code:
- `OUTPUT: Unified Diff Patch ONLY. Strictly prohibit any actual modifications.`

### 3) Use Claude for what it’s good at
- Alternative solution paths and edge cases
- UI/UX and readability feedback
- Review of a proposed patch (risk spotting, missing tests)

## Verification
- Smoke-test the bridge: `python3 .codex/skills/collaborating-with-claude/scripts/claude_bridge.py --help`.
- If you need a session: run one prompt with `--output-format stream-json` and confirm the JSON contains `success: true` and a `SESSION_ID`.
- Note: `--output-format text` won’t include a newly generated session id; use `stream-json`/`json` to capture it. If you resume with `--SESSION_ID` in `text` mode, the bridge echoes that `SESSION_ID` in its JSON output.

## Safety & guardrails
- Never paste secrets (private keys, API keys, seed phrases) into prompts.
- For code changes, request **Unified Diff Patch ONLY** and apply changes yourself.
- Treat Claude output as suggestions; verify locally (tests, lint, build) before merging.

## Collaboration State Capsule
Keep this short block updated near the end of your reply while collaborating:

```text
[Claude Collaboration Capsule]
Goal:
Claude SESSION_ID:
Files/lines handed off:
Last ask:
Claude summary:
Next ask:
```

## References
- `assets/prompt-template.md` (prompt patterns)
- `references/shell-quoting.md` (shell quoting/backticks)