Windows: workspace-write sandbox blocks apply_patch with EPERM on %USERPROFILE%

What version of Codex CLI is running?

codex-cli 0.144.0

What subscription do you have?

enterprise

Which model were you using?

gpt-5.6-terra

What platform is your computer?

Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.19045.0 x64

What terminal emulator and version are you using (if applicable)?

Windows Terminal, no multiplexter

Codex doctor report

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        "status": "not running",
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        "endpoint": "wss://chatgpt.com/backend-api/<redacted>",
        "handshake result": "HTTP 101 Switching Protocols",
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        "codex-linux-sandbox helper": "none",
        "execve wrapper helper": "none",
        "filesystem sandbox": "restricted",
        "network sandbox": "restricted"
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    "state.paths": {
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      "details": {
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  }
}

What issue are you seeing?

--sandbox workspace-write prevents apply_patch from editing an in-workspace file; --sandbox danger-full-access succeeds.

Corroborating failures

The following commands were run as sandboxed child processes.

codex --version

Output:

node:fs:2706
Error: EPERM: operation not permitted, lstat 'C:\Users\<USER>'
    at Object.realpathSync (...)
    ...
syscall: 'lstat'
path: 'C:\Users\<USER>'

node C:\Users\<USER>\.codex\skills\.system\openai-docs\scripts\fetch-codex-manual.mjs

Output:

Error: EPERM: operation not permitted, lstat 'C:\Users\<USER>'

git status --short

Output:

warning: unable to access 'C:\Users\<USER>\.config\git\ignore': Permission denied

The Windows sandbox appears to fail during setup because a required runtime path resolves through
%USERPROFILE%.

This blocks apply_patch even for a file entirely within the workspace.

What steps can reproduce the bug?

1. Create a git worktree and from it: code --sandbox workspace-write
2. Ask Codex to make a small edit to an existing file.
3. Codex invokes its native apply_patch helper.
4. The helper fails before the patch is evaluated:

``
apply_patch verification failed: Failed to read file to update
C:\src\xledger-c\docs\Files\specs\open\008-fileserver4-validation-harness-and-smoke.md:
fs sandbox helper failed with status exit code: 1:
windows sandbox failed: helper_unknown_error: setup refresh had errors
``

1. Retrying with a relative workspace path fails identically.

What is the expected behavior?

That running codex --sandbox workspace-write can edit files in the directory.

The sandbox should not require broad access to %USERPROFILE% merely to initialize its patch helper or run
Codex/Node child processes.

Additional information

_No response_