Use an agent to patch a stubborn app bug

They pointed a coding agent at two annoying software behaviors and had it debug one and add a self-improvement feature to the other.

Done with CodexChatGPT· Intermediate· Oct 2026

What they did
A developer aimed Codex and ChatGPT at software that was bothering them. In one case, the agent tracked down a Hyper-V vmconnect fullscreen problem after login and built a hook-based fix that did not alter Microsoft’s files. In another, they had Codex work on the Codex Electron app itself to add an MCP-driven setup with dynamic JavaScript userscripts.
How it went
Both changes reportedly worked, though the agent sometimes needed several rounds of nudging to improve the result. It still struggled to write documentation and reports that people could read easily.
Tips
This works best when you give the agent a narrow bug or missing feature and ask it to test the fix before any changes land. Make sure it pauses for your approval before anything that can’t be easily undone.

Try it yourself with Codex

I have a bug or missing feature in [app or tool name]: [describe the problem]. Inspect the code or install location at [path or repo] and find the smallest safe change or hook that would fix it. First, show me the likely cause, the patch plan, and how I can test it; then wait for my approval before editing, sending, deleting, or submitting anything. If your first attempt is off, revise it and explain what changed. When it works, include the diff and a quick rollback plan.

Fill in the [brackets]. Agents can make mistakes, so review anything before it is sent, paid or deleted.

Read the original on news.ycombinator.com ↗

Get 3 agent uses like this every morning

With the day's top AI news. Free, and one click to unsubscribe.