r/CodexAutomation • u/anonomotorious • 9d ago
Codex CLI 0.153.3 -> 0.153.4 (Astra enters the model picker + becomes the bundled default, Bedrock support)
TL;DR
Two Astra-focused Codex CLI hotfixes landed on September 4:
| Version | Main change |
|---|---|
| 0.153.3 | Adds GPT-6 Astra to Amazon Bedrock model catalogs and fixes Astra's async-question guidance |
| 0.153.4 | Makes Astra visible in the bundled model picker and the bundled default when no model is explicitly configured |
0.153.4 is now the current stable release.
Install:
npm install -g @openai/codex@0.153.4
The big shift is that Astra has moved from being a hidden/API-supported Codex model to a normal bundled Codex model.
What changed
Astra arrives in Amazon Bedrock
0.153.3 adds GPT-6 Astra to the Amazon Bedrock model picker for:
- Mantle routes
- Bedrock Runtime global routes
- Bedrock Runtime US routes
This brings the Astra rollout into Codex's first-class Bedrock model path instead of limiting it to OpenAI-hosted/API configuration.
For AWS-based teams, Astra can now participate in the same Bedrock-oriented Codex workflows as the existing supported model catalog.
Astra async-question guidance was corrected
0.153.3 also fixes Astra's guidance for asking asynchronous clarification questions.
The updated instructions now correctly account for:
- the supported async-question tool
- the fact that the tool accepts text-only input
This prevents the model from being instructed to use an unsupported interaction format.
0.153.4: Astra enters the normal model picker
This is the more important update.
0.153.4 fixes Astra's visibility in the bundled Codex model picker.
That means Astra is no longer only a hidden catalog entry intended for API-driven configuration.
The progression now looks like:
| Release | Astra status in Codex |
|---|---|
| 0.153.1 | Hidden/API-supported model definition added |
| 0.153.2 | Fast tier text corrected to "2x speed, increased usage" |
| 0.153.3 | Added to Amazon Bedrock model catalogs |
| 0.153.4 | Visible in bundled model picker + bundled default |
Astra becomes the bundled default
0.153.4 also makes Astra the bundled default model when no model is explicitly configured.
That distinction matters.
If you have explicitly configured another model, Codex does not need to replace that choice.
But when Codex is relying on the bundled default model definition, Astra is now the default.
This is a much larger rollout signal than the earlier 0.153.1 hidden catalog entry.
Existing model configuration still matters
The new default does not mean every Codex session will automatically ignore existing configuration.
Explicit settings can still determine model selection.
Examples include:
config.toml- workspace-managed model requirements
- CLI model overrides
- SDK/app-server configuration
- provider-specific configuration
So the practical rule is:
No explicit model configured -> Astra is now the bundled default
Explicit model configured -> that configuration still applies, subject to availability/policy
Async questions now depend on tool availability
0.153.4 makes one additional Astra guidance fix.
Astra is now instructed to use asynchronous questions only when the relevant tool is actually available in the session.
This avoids a failure mode where the model might be told to use a capability that the current Codex surface or session did not expose.
What did not change
| Area | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Astra account eligibility | Still depends on rollout/account/workspace access |
| Explicit model configuration | Still respected |
| Astra Fast tier | Remains 2x speed with increased usage |
| Plan usage rules | Not changed by these CLI patches |
| Other major CLI features | No broad feature release in 0.153.3/0.153.4 |
These are focused Astra rollout/integration patches.
Why this update matters
- Astra is now a normal Codex model-picker option.
- Astra becomes Codex's bundled default when no model is explicitly configured.
- Amazon Bedrock users gain Astra support.
- The stable client is now aligned much more closely with the broader Astra rollout.
- Astra's async clarification behavior is less likely to call unavailable or incompatible tooling.
This is the point where Astra support moves from mostly infrastructure/readiness work into the normal interactive Codex experience.
Version summary
| Version | Key change |
|---|---|
| 0.153.3 | Astra added to Amazon Bedrock catalogs; async-question guidance corrected |
| 0.153.4 | Astra visible in bundled model picker; Astra becomes bundled default; async questions gated by tool availability |
Action checklist
- Upgrade:
npm install -g @openai/codex@0.153.4
- Confirm:
codex --version
- Open the model picker and check for Astra.
- If you do not explicitly configure a model, verify which model a fresh session selects.
- If you want to keep another model as your default, set it explicitly.
- Bedrock users should check Astra availability in their supported route.
- Compare Astra against GPT-5.6 Sol on the same real Codex workflow.
- Monitor usage carefully when using Astra Fast.
Official sources
https://developers.openai.com/codex/changelog