---
title: "Codex Plugin"
description: "Access the full suite of CarsXE vehicle data APIs directly from OpenAI Codex — decode VINs, look up license plates, get market values, check history, recalls, liens, OBD codes, and more."
canonical_url: "https://docs.carsxe.com/docs/integrations/codex-quickstart"
markdown_url: "https://docs.carsxe.com/docs/integrations/codex-quickstart.md"
last_updated: "1980-01-01"
---

# Codex Plugin
URL: /docs/integrations/codex-quickstart
LLM index: /llms.txt
Description: Access the full suite of CarsXE vehicle data APIs directly from OpenAI Codex — decode VINs, look up license plates, get market values, check history, recalls, liens, OBD codes, and more.

Task: Install and configure the CarsXE OpenAI Codex plugin for vehicle data lookups.
Related: /docs/integrations/codex-quickstart, /docs/integrations/mcp, /docs/get-started#authentication

## What is the CarsXE plugin for OpenAI Codex?

The CarsXE plugin for OpenAI Codex provides direct access to our comprehensive automotive APIs through auto-invoked skills. Codex picks the right skill based on what you ask — no slash commands to memorize, just describe what you need. Decode VINs, look up license plates, get market values, check vehicle history, recalls, liens, OBD codes, and more — all within your Codex environment.

**GitHub repository**: [carsxe-codex-plugin](https://github.com/carsxe/carsxe-codex-plugin)

**Plugin registry**: [hol.org/registry/plugins/carsxe/carsxe](https://hol.org/registry/plugins/carsxe%2Fcarsxe)

## Installation

Install from the Codex Plugin Marketplace:

<CodeGroup title="Terminal">
```bash
npx codex-marketplace add carsxe/carsxe-codex-plugin --plugin --project
```
</CodeGroup>

Or browse and install interactively from within Codex:

<CodeGroup title="Codex">
```bash
/plugins
```
</CodeGroup>

## Setup

### 1. Get your CarsXE API key

1. Visit the [CarsXE API dashboard](https://carsxe.com/dashboard/developer)
2. Navigate to your API keys section
3. Copy your API key

### 2. Set the `CARSXE_API_KEY` environment variable

Codex skills read your key from `CARSXE_API_KEY`. Set it before launching Codex:

<CodeGroup title="Set the API key">

```bash {{ title: "macOS / Linux" }}
export CARSXE_API_KEY="cxe_live_YOUR_KEY"
```

```powershell {{ title: "Windows (PowerShell)" }}
$env:CARSXE_API_KEY="cxe_live_YOUR_KEY"
```

</CodeGroup>

Add it to your shell profile to persist it across sessions.

## Skills (auto-invoked)

Skills are automatically triggered by Codex based on the conversation context. No need to type a command — just describe what you need naturally. You can also call a skill explicitly by name with the `@` prefix, e.g. `@vehicle-specs`.

| Skill | What it does |
|---|---|
| `vehicle-specs` | Decode a VIN — full vehicle specifications |
| `plate-decoder` | Look up a vehicle from a license plate |
| `market-value` | Estimate a vehicle's current market value |
| `vehicle-history` | Full vehicle history report |
| `vehicle-images` | Fetch vehicle photos by make/model/year |
| `vehicle-recalls` | Check for open safety recalls |
| `international-vin` | Decode international (non-US) VINs |
| `vin-ocr` | Extract a VIN from a photo |
| `lien-theft` | Check for liens and theft records |
| `plate-image-recognition` | Extract a license plate number from a photo |
| `year-make-model` | Look up a vehicle by year, make, and model |
| `obd-decoder` | Decode an OBD-II diagnostic trouble code |

## Usage examples

Just ask Codex naturally — the matching skill is invoked automatically:

<CopyableText>Decode VIN WBAFR7C57CC811956</CopyableText>

<CopyableText>Look up California plate 7XER187</CopyableText>

<CopyableText>What's this car worth? VIN WBAFR7C57CC811956, 45k miles, clean condition</CopyableText>

<CopyableText>Get the history report for WBAFR7C57CC811956</CopyableText>

<CopyableText>Does 1C4JJXR64PW696340 have any open recalls?</CopyableText>

<CopyableText>Is this VIN stolen or have a lien? WBAFR7C57CC811956</CopyableText>

<CopyableText>Decode this international VIN: WF0MXXGBWM8R43240</CopyableText>

<CopyableText>Look up a 2020 Toyota Camry LE</CopyableText>

<CopyableText>What does check engine code P0300 mean?</CopyableText>

<CopyableText>Extract the VIN from this photo: https://example.com/vin.jpg</CopyableText>

<CopyableText>Read the plate in this image: https://example.com/plate.jpg</CopyableText>

<CopyableText>Show me photos of a 2019 BMW X5</CopyableText>

## Troubleshooting

**Authentication error**

- Verify your API key is correct
- Ensure the `CARSXE_API_KEY` environment variable is set
- Check that your API key has the necessary permissions

**Plugin not found**

- Verify you installed via `npx codex-marketplace add carsxe/carsxe-codex-plugin --plugin --project`
- Try reinstalling the plugin via `/plugins`
- Restart Codex

**Skill not triggering**

- Try calling the skill explicitly with the `@` prefix, e.g. `@vehicle-specs`
- Ensure all required parameters (VIN, plate, etc.) are included in your prompt
- Verify your API account has sufficient credits

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.
Docs-scoped sitemap: [/docs/sitemap.md](/docs/sitemap.md).
Well-known sitemap: [/.well-known/sitemap.md](/.well-known/sitemap.md).