Title: Codex refuses plain-text multiple-choice questions despite explicit user instructions

What version of the Codex App are you using (From “About Codex” dialog)?

26.901.51231 (build 8109)

What subscription do you have?

Pro 20x

What platform is your computer?

Darwin 25.6.0 arm64 arm

What issue are you seeing?

Codex refuses to write plain-text multiple-choice questions, even when I explicitly request this format and tell it not to use the built-in question interface.

I have heavily used text MCQs for months. My workflow is to read an explanation, choose a lettered answer, and approve the decision before Codex implements it.

In this conversation, Codex says its Default-mode instructions prevent it from writing text MCQs. Repeating my preference and providing my AGENTS.md instructions did not resolve the problem.

This blocks an established workflow and forces a question interface that I do not want to use.

What steps can reproduce the bug?

The following sequence triggered the problem in an existing conversation:

1. Use the Codex desktop app in Default mode.
2. Ask Codex to discuss implementation decisions before making changes.
3. Request numbered plain-text MCQs, with one question per decision, lettered answers, and the recommended answer first.
4. Explicitly tell Codex not to use the built-in question interface.
5. Repeat the request if Codex uses a different format.

Observed result: Codex refuses to provide text MCQs and says its mode instructions prohibit that format.

I have not yet tested reproduction in a fresh conversation.

What is the expected behavior?

Codex should respect an explicit preference for plain-text MCQs.

It should explain each decision, provide lettered answers in ordinary conversation text, and wait for my reply before implementing the selected option.

The built-in question interface can remain available, but users should be able to choose text questions through their instructions or a setting.

Additional information

Environment:

• macOS desktop app
• App version: 26.901.51231 (build 8109)
• Bundled Codex CLI: 0.153.4
• Default mode

I noticed this behavior recently after using text MCQs for months. I have not identified the first affected version or confirmed that a recent update caused it.

The requested format is also specified in my AGENTS.md. I want the explanations, questions, and choices to remain ordinary conversation text, so I can answer with a short selection and optional comments.

Start by reproducing the behavior in the Codex desktop app in Default mode, then compare the existing conversation with a fresh conversation. Read the requested format in AGENTS.md and check whether the bundled Codex CLI version 0.153.4 shows the same behavior. Done means explicit instructions for ordinary-text MCQs are honored while the built-in question interface remains available.