Using altimate with Codex
altimate integrates with Codex in two ways: as an LLM provider (use your ChatGPT subscription to power altimate) and as a Codex skill (invoke altimate from within Codex CLI).
Using altimate as a Codex CLI skill
You can delegate data engineering tasks from Codex CLI to altimate. Run /configure-codex inside altimate to set up the integration:
/configure-codex
This creates ~/.codex/skills/altimate/SKILL.md. Restart Codex to pick up the new skill. Codex will then automatically invoke altimate when you ask about data engineering tasks like SQL analysis, lineage, dbt, or FinOps.
Using Codex as an LLM provider
If you have a ChatGPT Plus or Pro subscription, you can use Codex as your LLM backend in altimate at no additional API cost. Your subscription covers all usage.
Setup
1. Launch altimate
altimate
2. Run /connect
In the TUI, type /connect and select Codex as your provider.
3. Authenticate
A browser window opens for OAuth authentication with your ChatGPT account. Sign in and authorize altimate.
For headless environments (SSH, containers), a device code flow is available:
Visit: https://chatgpt.com/device
Enter code: ABCD-1234
4. Start using
Once authenticated, all altimate tools work with Codex as the LLM backend. No API keys needed.
Available models
| Model | Best for |
|---|---|
gpt-5.2-codex |
General data engineering tasks |
gpt-5.1-codex-max |
Complex analysis, large context |
gpt-5.1-codex-mini |
Fast, lightweight tasks |
gpt-5.3-codex |
Latest capabilities |
How it works
- altimate authenticates via PKCE OAuth flow with ChatGPT
- Requests route through
chatgpt.com/backend-api/codex/responses - Your subscription covers all token usage, so there is no per-token billing
- Token is stored locally at
~/.altimate/data/auth.json
Cost
With Codex subscription: - LLM cost: $0 (covered by subscription) - Warehouse cost: Normal warehouse credits apply for SQL execution - altimate helps minimize warehouse costs through cost prediction and optimization
Comparison with API keys
| Aspect | Codex Subscription | API Key (Anthropic/OpenAI) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $20-200/mo (subscription) | Pay per token |
| Setup | OAuth (browser login) | Copy-paste API key |
| Rate limits | Subscription limits | API limits |
| Model selection | Codex models only | Full model catalog |
| Best for | Individual developers | Teams, CI/CD |
Troubleshooting
"OAuth token expired"
- Run /connect again to re-authenticate
"Rate limit exceeded" - Codex subscription has usage limits. Wait a few minutes or upgrade your plan.
"Codex not available" - Ensure you have an active ChatGPT Plus or Pro subscription - Check that Codex is available in your region