Review pane stuck on "Loading diff" on Windows due to invalid git diff path (/D:/...)
Resolved 💬 2 comments Opened Apr 15, 2026 by new-work-bili Closed Apr 15, 2026
Summary
On Windows, the right-side Review pane in Codex Desktop stays stuck on Loading diff for a repo with local changes.
The repository itself is healthy. Normal git commands work, and the issue appears to be specific to how Codex Desktop invokes per-file git diff.
Environment
- OS: Windows 10 Pro, build 19045
- Git: 2.52.0.windows.1
- Codex Desktop: Windows Store package
OpenAI.Codex_2p2nqsd0c76g0
Steps to Reproduce
- Open a git repo on Windows in Codex Desktop.
- Modify one or more files.
- Open the right-side
Reviewpane. - The pane keeps showing
Loading diffand does not render file diffs.
What I Already Tried
- Hard refresh / reload
- Switching between
SummaryandReview - Reopening Codex Desktop
- Reopening the repo
The issue still reproduces.
Expected Result
The Review pane should render per-file diffs normally.
Actual Result
The Review pane remains stuck on Loading diff.
Key Evidence
Codex Desktop appears to invoke commands like this:
git diff --no-ext-diff --no-textconv --color=never --src-prefix=a/ --dst-prefix=b/ -- /D:/<repo>/src/client/styles/global.css
This fails with:
fatal: Invalid path '/D:': No such file or directory
The same diff works immediately when using a repo-relative path:
git diff --no-ext-diff --no-textconv --color=never --src-prefix=a/ --dst-prefix=b/ -- src/client/styles/global.css
Relevant Log Excerpt
... diff --no-ext-diff --no-textconv --color=never --src-prefix=a/ --dst-prefix=b/ -- /D:/<repo>/src/client/styles/global.css ... cwd=D:/<repo> ... exitCode=128 failureReason=command_failed
Another example:
... diff --no-ext-diff --no-textconv --color=never --src-prefix=a/ --dst-prefix=b/ -- /D:/<repo>/src/client/views/ServiceDetailView.vue ... cwd=D:/<repo> ... exitCode=128 failureReason=command_failed
Why This Looks App-Side
git status works
git diff --stat works
git diff -- <repo-relative-file> works
Only the Codex Desktop form using /D:/... fails
Suspected Root Cause
Codex Desktop seems to be constructing Windows git diff pathspecs incorrectly by prefixing the absolute drive path with /, producing /D:/... instead of a valid repo-relative path or a properly handled Windows path.
Impact
The Review pane is effectively unusable on Windows for changed files, even though the repository and git are otherwise fine.
I can provide additional logs privately if needed.
This issue has 2 comments on GitHub. Read the full discussion on GitHub ↗