---
title: "Fix the Codex connection on a Mac"
description: "Use this workaround if Codex on a Mac cannot finish Data Parrot authentication or load its tools."
canonicalUrl: "https://dataparrot.ai/docs/mcp/connect/codex-macos-workaround"
markdownUrl: "https://dataparrot.ai/md/docs/mcp/connect/codex-macos-workaround"
pageType: "docs"
lastUpdated: "2026-07-28"
primaryQueries:
  - "Fix the Codex connection on a Mac"
  - "Use this workaround if Codex on a Mac cannot finish Data Parrot authentication or load its tools."
---

URL: https://dataparrot.ai/docs/mcp/connect/codex-macos-workaround

McpConnect

# Fix the Codex connection on a Mac

Use this workaround if Codex on a Mac cannot finish Data Parrot authentication or load its tools.

Last updated July 28, 2026

Try the [standard Codex app setup steps](https://dataparrot.ai/docs/mcp/connect/openai#connect-the-data-parrot-mcp-server-to-the-codex-app) before using this workaround.

## Apply the workaround

1.  ### Quit Codex completely

    With Codex open, press **Command-Q**. Closing the window is not enough.

2.  ### Set the certificate path

    Open Terminal, run this command, and press **Return**:

    Mac connection workaround

    `launchctl setenv CODEX_CA_CERTIFICATE /etc/ssl/cert.pem`

    Terminal does not normally show a success message. When the prompt returns, the command has finished. This does not turn off security checks. It tells Codex to use the certificate file already on your Mac.

3.  ### Reopen Codex and authenticate

    Open Codex, then go to **Settings → Plugins → MCPs**. Find Data Parrot, select **Authenticate**, and complete the sign-in in your browser.

4.  ### Confirm the connection

    Start a new Codex task and enter:

    Codex MCP command

    `/mcp`

    Confirm that `data_parrot_mcp` shows as connected.


## If Authenticate still does not work

Quit Codex with **Command-Q**, open Terminal, and run:

Codex fallback login command

`CODEX_CA_CERTIFICATE=/etc/ssl/cert.pem /Applications/Codex.app/Contents/Resources/codex mcp login data_parrot_mcp`

Keep `data_parrot_mcp` exactly as written. Complete the Data Parrot sign-in in your browser, then reopen Codex and start a new task.

If Terminal says that the file or MCP server cannot be found, [contact Data Parrot support](https://dataparrot.ai/docs/support) and include a screenshot of the message.

## After you restart your Mac

The setting lasts for your current Mac login session. If you restart your Mac or log out, [apply the workaround](#apply-the-workaround) again.

You should not need to sign in to Data Parrot again unless Codex asks you to authenticate.

## Remove the workaround

Quit Codex with **Command-Q**, open Terminal, and run:

Remove the Mac connection workaround

`launchctl unsetenv CODEX_CA_CERTIFICATE`

Reopen Codex.

## Still can't connect?

[Contact Data Parrot support](https://dataparrot.ai/docs/support) and include:

-   A screenshot of the message in Codex or Terminal
-   Your Mac version
-   Your Codex version from **Codex → About Codex**
-   Whether `data_parrot_mcp` appears under **Settings → Plugins → MCPs**

[Markdown version](https://dataparrot.ai/md/docs/mcp/connect/codex-macos-workaround)