[Windows] Built-in image_gen unavailable in Codex Desktop and failed attempts consume usage quota #36767

What version of the Codex App are you using (From “About Codex” dialog)?

Unknown — Codex Desktop app does not show an About menu in my installation

What subscription do you have?

ChatGPT Plus

What platform is your computer?

Windows 11

What issue are you seeing?

The built-in image_gen tool is unavailable in the Codex Desktop app.

I installed and used the Hatch Pet community skill. The system image generation skill is present at:

%USERPROFILE%\.codex\skills\.system\imagegen

The SKILL.md file explicitly says that normal image generation should use the built-in image_gen tool and should not require OPENAI_API_KEY.

However, whenever Hatch Pet tries to generate an image, Codex says that image generation is not connected to the current task environment. It then suggests using the fallback CLI with OPENAI_API_KEY.

No image is generated.

Repeated failed attempts still consumed my Codex usage quota. Eventually, the app displayed a usage-limit message telling me to wait until the quota resets, even though every image-generation attempt failed.

This appears to be two related problems:

1. The built-in image_gen tool is not exposed to the Codex Desktop runtime even though the system skill is installed.
2. Failed attempts consume Codex usage quota despite producing no image.

What steps can reproduce the bug?

1. Open Codex Desktop on Windows.
2. Install the Hatch Pet community skill.
3. Confirm that %USERPROFILE%\.codex\skills\.system\imagegen exists.
4. Start a new chat.
5. Ask Hatch Pet to generate a simple image.
6. Codex reports that image generation is not connected to the environment.
7. Codex suggests the CLI fallback requiring OPENAI_API_KEY.
8. Repeat the attempt several times.
9. Observe that no image is generated, but the Codex usage quota is consumed.
10. Eventually, Codex displays a usage-limit message.

What is the expected behavior?

Hatch Pet should use the built-in image_gen tool through my ChatGPT Plus subscription without requiring an API key.

If the built-in tool fails because of an internal runtime issue, unsuccessful attempts should not consume the user's Codex quota.

Additional information

The installed imagegen skill states:

• Built-in image_gen is the preferred default mode.
• It does not require OPENAI_API_KEY.
• CLI fallback should only be used when explicitly requested or when the built-in tool is unavailable.

The relevant system skill folder exists, so this does not appear to be a missing-skill installation problem.

I have attached screenshots showing:

1. The imagegen system skill folder.
2. Codex reporting that image generation is unavailable.
3. Codex reporting that the usage limit was reached after failed attempts.