---
title: Set Up Codex CLI with apiToken.sale — GPT-5.6 Profile
description: "Configure Codex CLI with a named model_providers profile pointing at the apiToken.sale OpenAI-compatible endpoint — GPT-5.6 models on prepaid balance at up to 70% off, no ChatGPT account needed."
url: https://apitoken.sale/docs/learn/codex-cli-setup
language: en
---

# Run Codex CLI on apiToken.sale

Codex CLI runs entirely on API-key authentication when you give it a custom model provider. One TOML profile points it at apiToken.sale, and your prepaid balance covers every session — no ChatGPT login, at up to 70% below official spend.

## Create the profile

Save this as ~/.codex/apitoken.config.toml. A named profile leaves your default Codex configuration and any ChatGPT login untouched — you opt in per run.

```
# ~/.codex/apitoken.config.toml
model = "gpt-5.6-sol"
model_provider = "apitoken"

[model_providers.apitoken]
name = "apiToken.sale"
base_url = "https://openai.api.apitoken.sale/v1"
wire_api = "responses"
env_key = "APITOKEN_API_KEY"
```

env_key names the environment variable Codex reads the key from — the secret stays in your shell, never in the TOML file.

## Run and verify

```
export APITOKEN_API_KEY=sk-pool-•••
codex --profile apitoken
```

- Always pass --profile apitoken explicitly so there is no ambiguity about which provider — and which env var — is active.
- Switch models per project by editing the model line: gpt-5.6-sol for the hardest work, gpt-5.6-terra for the daily driver, gpt-5.6-luna for fast cheap steps.
- GET https://openai.api.apitoken.sale/v1/models with the same Bearer key lists the currently enabled set.

> wire_api = "responses" is the right value for this gateway — it serves both Responses and Chat Completions, and Codex streams over Responses. Set it only to "chat" if a specific client requires the classic shape.

## Errors you might hit

- Missing APITOKEN_API_KEY — the variable named by env_key is not exported in the shell that runs codex. Export it in that same shell, or in your shell profile.
- stream error: unexpected status 401 — the key is wrong, revoked, or the base_url lost its /v1 suffix. Reproduce with curl outside Codex to isolate which half is broken.
- stream error: unexpected status 404 — the model ID is not enabled; check GET /v1/models instead of assuming.
- 402 — the shared prepaid balance needs a top-up; backoff will not fix it.

[The full Codex error playbook — config.toml, auth.json, stream errors](/errors/codex)

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need a ChatGPT account or subscription?

No. With a custom model_providers profile and the provider's API key in the environment, Codex runs entirely on API-key authentication — the ChatGPT login in auth.json is irrelevant.

### Does this change my default Codex setup?

No. The profile lives in its own file and activates only when you pass --profile apitoken. Your default configuration and login stay as they were.

### Is the discount the same as for Claude?

Yes. GPT-5.6 usage is metered at official OpenAI token rates and your active B2C discount — 60% up to 70% — applies to the same prepaid balance.

### Responses or Chat Completions for wire_api?

Use wire_api = "responses" — the gateway serves both, and Codex is built around the Responses stream. The Chat Completions shape exists for clients that require it.

---
Get a key: https://apitoken.sale/register
More guides: https://apitoken.sale/docs/learn