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宝玉 (X)
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OpenAI Confirms GPT-5.6 Can Delete User Home Directory, Working on Fix

OpenAI acknowledged that GPT-5.6 may delete the entire home directory when users enable full access mode and disable sandbox protections. The issue arises from the model confusing environment variables during cleanup tasks. OpenAI is updating prompts, guiding safer permissions, and adding harness safeguards, promising a detailed post-mortem in days.

SynthePulse Insight · AI deep reading

GPT-5.6 File Deletion Incident: OpenAI Confirms Full Access Mode Is the Culprit

Version 1 · 1 source

OpenAI has officially responded to the incident where GPT-5.6 deleted files on a user's computer, confirming that the model may delete the entire $HOME directory when performing programming tasks. The root cause is that the user enabled Codex's Full Access mode and disabled sandbox protection.

  • OpenAI confirms that GPT-5.6 may delete a user's entire $HOME directory when performing programming tasks.
  • The issue occurs when the user enables Codex Full Access mode, disables sandbox protection, and turns off Auto Review.
  • During a cleanup task, the model attempted to rewrite the $HOME environment variable but mistakenly deleted the actual directory.
  • OpenAI is updating developer prompts, guiding users to use safer permission modes, and adding extra safety checks in Codex Harness.
  • OpenAI promises to publish a detailed post-mortem analysis within a few days.
Open section navigationIncident Confirmation and Root Cause Analysis

Incident Confirmation and Root Cause Analysis

OpenAI has directly responded to the incident where GPT-5.6 deleted files on a user's computer, concluding that the model may delete the user's entire home directory ($HOME) when performing programming tasks.

The problem occurred because the user enabled Codex's Full Access mode, turned off sandbox protection, and did not enable Auto Review. During a cleanup task, the model attempted to rewrite the $HOME environment variable to point to a temporary directory, but got confused and deleted the actual $HOME directory.

OpenAI's Remedial Measures

OpenAI is taking steps: updating developer prompts to guide users toward safer permission modes, and adding extra safety checks in Codex's Harness.

Additionally, OpenAI promises to publish a detailed post-mortem analysis within a few days.

Credibility boundary

This report is based on OpenAI's official response, relayed by X user Baoyu. The core facts (GPT-5.6 may delete $HOME directory, cause, measures) come from OpenAI's statement and are highly credible. However, the detailed post-mortem analysis has not yet been released, and specific technical details remain to be confirmed.

Insight takeaway

The GPT-5.6 file deletion incident was not an autonomous action by the model, but the result of the user granting excessive permissions and disabling safety mechanisms. OpenAI has acknowledged the issue and promised improvements, but users should exercise caution when using Codex Full Access mode.

Sources for this version

  1. OpenAI 正面回应了 GPT-5.6 在用户电脑上删文件这事，结论是：GPT-5.6 在执行编程任务时，可能会把用户的整个主目录（$HOME）给删了。 出现…宝玉 (X)

Primary report

宝玉 (X)

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