Windows Codex Desktop: node_repl crashes with "windows sandbox failed: spawn setup refresh", breaking Chrome plugin/browser runtime

Environment

• OS: Windows
• Codex Desktop: OpenAI.Codex_26.602.4764.0_x64
• Chrome plugin bundle: 26.602.40724
• Runtime bundle observed: 26.521.10419
• Chrome extension ID: hehggadaopoacecdllhhajmbjkdcmajg
• node_repl.exe path pattern: %LOCALAPPDATA%\OpenAI\Codex\bin\34ab3e1324cc55b5\node_repl.exe

Problem

The Chrome extension and native messaging manifest appear to be installed correctly, but the browser runtime cannot start because node_repl crashes even on minimal execution.

Error:

windows sandbox failed: spawn setup refresh

What works

• Chrome is installed and running.
• Chrome extension is installed and enabled in the Default profile.
• Native messaging manifest is correct.
• Headless/new Chrome process automation can open a page and read DOM in another session.

What fails

• @chrome / Chrome plugin cannot list or claim existing logged-in Chrome tabs.
• node_repl minimal execution fails before browser runtime starts.

Minimal test attempted inside Codex:

nodeRepl.write('node_repl_ok')

Observed result:

node_repl kernel exited unexpectedly
node_repl diagnostics: {"kernel_status":"running","kernel_stderr_tail":"windows sandbox failed: spawn setup refresh","reason":"stdout_eof"}

Troubleshooting already tried

• Rebooted Windows.
• Rebooted Codex.
• Removed third-party antivirus: Trend Micro / ウイルスバスター.
• Confirmed Windows Defender Controlled Folder Access is off.
• Confirmed no Defender blocking events around the failure.
• Deleted %LOCALAPPDATA%\OpenAI\Codex\bin\.
• Restarted Codex and confirmed bin was regenerated.
• Failure still reproduces after regeneration.

Expected

node_repl should start successfully, allowing the Chrome plugin/browser runtime to connect to the existing Chrome session.

Actual

node_repl exits unexpectedly with:

windows sandbox failed: spawn setup refresh