OpenAI's Codex CLI system prompt for GPT-5.5 includes a specific directive to avoid discussing goblins, trolls, and other creatures unless directly relevant, suggesting the model may have developed an unexpected fixation. The unusual rule appears to address recent user reports of the AI bringing up these topics in unrelated contexts. While OpenAI denies it's a marketing stunt, the incident has sparked jokes and user attempts to bypass the restriction.
Background
OpenAI's Codex is an AI system that generates code from natural language descriptions, built on GPT models. System prompts are used to guide AI behavior and prevent unwanted outputs.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Apr 30, 2026 at 03:00 AM
- Score
- 5.0 / 10