# Beginner Quickstart

This diagram shows the smallest reliable loop for a zero-background Codex user.

```mermaid
flowchart TD
  open["Open Codex app<br/>select the project folder"]
  ask["Write a four-part request<br/>goal / scope / constraints / validation"]
  inspect["Codex reads context<br/>AGENTS.md, README, source files"]
  act["Edit files or run commands<br/>inside the allowed workspace"]
  verify["Verify the result<br/>tests, build, PDF, logs, screenshots"]
  review["Review diff and evidence<br/>then continue or accept"]

  open --> ask --> inspect --> act --> verify --> review
  review -->|needs changes| inspect

  classDef start fill:#E8F3FF,stroke:#2563EB,color:#111827;
  classDef work fill:#F8FAFC,stroke:#64748B,color:#111827;
  classDef verify fill:#ECFDF5,stroke:#059669,color:#111827;
  class open,ask start;
  class inspect,act,review work;
  class verify verify;
```