## 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](/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="macOS / Linux">
```bash 
export CARSXE_API_KEY="cxe_live_YOUR_KEY" 
```
</CodeGroup>

<CodeGroup title="Windows (PowerShell)">
```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/Model         |
| `obd-decoder`             | Decode an OBD-II diagnostic trouble code     |

## Usage Examples

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

### Decode a VIN

<CopyableText>Decode VIN WBAFR7C57CC811956</CopyableText>

### Look up a California Plate

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

### Check Market Value

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

### Get Vehicle History

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

### Check Recalls

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

### Check Liens and Theft

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

### Decode an International VIN

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

### Look up by Year/Make/Model

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

### Decode an OBD Code

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

### Extract VIN from a Photo

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

### Extract Plate from a Photo

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

### Find Vehicle Images

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

## Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

**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

Ready to supercharge your vehicle data workflows with CarsXE and OpenAI Codex!