`model_info.tool_mode=direct` silently overrides enabled Code Mode flags and changes the model-visible tool surface

Start by reproducing the behavior in Codex CLI 0.144.5 with code_mode enabled and model_info.tool_mode=direct, then inspect how these settings determine the model-visible tool surface. Done means the interaction between direct mode and enabled Code Mode flags is explicit and matches the intended tool availability, with coverage for the reported configuration.

What version of Codex CLI is running?

codex-cli 0.144.5

What subscription do you have?

plus

Which model were you using?

gpt-5.6-sol

What platform is your computer?

Linux 7.1.3-101.fc43.x86_64 x86_64 unknown

What terminal emulator and version are you using (if applicable)?

No response

Codex doctor report

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}

What issue are you seeing?

Codex exposes only the Direct Mode tool surface even though Code Mode is explicitly enabled in my local configuration.

My relevant ~/.codex/config.toml configuration is:

[features]
code_mode = true
code_mode_host = true
code_mode_only = false

codex features list confirms that code_mode and code_mode_host are enabled.

However, the current sanitized gpt-5.6-sol entry in ~/.codex/models_cache.json contains:

{
  "slug": "gpt-5.6-sol",
  "tool_mode": "direct",
  "multi_agent_version": "v2",
  "use_responses_lite": true,
  "supports_search_tool": true
}

Because model metadata is resolved before the local feature flags, "tool_mode": "direct" wins. The session therefore exposes Direct Mode tools while the Code Mode functions.exec and
functions.wait entrypoints are absent.

There is no warning explaining that model metadata overrode my local configuration, and no diagnostic showing the effective Tool Mode or where it came from.

A separate freshly started Codex process can expose Code Mode, demonstrating that the Code Mode capability is installed and usable while the current session receives a different model-
visible tool surface.



### What steps can reproduce the bug?

```markdown
1. Use Codex CLI `0.144.5` with model `gpt-5.6-sol`.
2. Add the following configuration to `~/.codex/config.toml`:

```toml
[features]
code_mode = true
code_mode_host = true
code_mode_only = false

3. Restart Codex and start a new session.
4. Run codex features list and confirm that Code Mode is enabled.
5. Inspect the sanitized gpt-5.6-sol entry in ~/.codex/models_cache.json and confirm that it contains "tool_mode": "direct".
6. Inspect the tools exposed to the session.

Actual result: only the Direct Mode surface is exposed. The Code Mode functions.exec and functions.wait entrypoints are absent, without any configuration-conflict warning.

The behavior occurs because recognized model metadata overrides the enabled local feature flags.



### What is the expected behavior?

```markdown
An explicit local Tool Mode choice should not be silently overridden by mutable model-catalog or cache metadata.

Codex should either:

1. honor the explicit local selection when the model supports it; or
2. stop before inference and display a clear incompatibility or managed-policy error.

Codex should also display the configured Tool Mode, effective Tool Mode, winning source and catalog provenance. The effective mode should remain stable for the session unless the user
explicitly changes the model or policy.


### Additional information

PR [#25031](https://github.com/openai/codex/pull/25031) deliberately introduced the current behavior where recognized model-catalog `tool_mode` metadata takes precedence over the local Code Mode feature flags.

This explains why `"tool_mode": "direct"` selects Direct Mode even though my local configuration explicitly enables Code Mode. However, PR #25031 does not explain every related failure. Other issues appear to amplify the impact:

- [Issue #33575](https://github.com/openai/codex/issues/33575) reports MCP tools becoming unavailable after the model metadata changed to `tool_mode = "direct"`. Under Direct Mode with Responses Lite, deferred MCP tools may lack a model-reachable `tool_search` path.
- [Issue #33593](https://github.com/openai/codex/issues/33593) reports originator-specific model catalogs sharing and overwriting the same `models_cache.json`. This can make Tool Mode differ between clients or processes using the same installation and account.
- [Issue #29122](https://github.com/openai/codex/issues/29122) reports the inverse behavior: Code Mode was locally disabled but remotely selected model metadata caused it to be exposed in an IDE session.

The current behavior mixes three separate concepts:

1. Whether the local client and user permit Code Mode.
2. Which Tool Mode the user explicitly selected.
3. Which Tool Mode the model metadata supports or prefers.

Please add an explicit local Tool Mode policy such as `auto`, `direct`, `code_mode`, or `code_mode_only`, with documented precedence. Model metadata should not silently replace an explicit user selection. If the requested mode is unsupported or prohibited by managed policy, Codex should stop before inference and display an actionable compatibility error.

Codex should also expose the configured policy, effective Tool Mode, winning source, and catalog provenance through startup/session diagnostics and `codex doctor`. The resolved mode should remain stable for the session unless the user explicitly changes the model or policy.

Separately, model-cache entries should be isolated by the relevant request identity or originator, and deferred tools should never be hidden unless the active transport retains a model-reachable `tool_search` or direct-tool path.