1# Regular Posts - Detailed Guide
2 
3Detailed documentation for posting text and images to X.
4 
5## Manual Workflow
6 
7If you prefer step-by-step control:
8 
9### Step 0: Prefer Chrome Computer Use in Codex
10 
11When running inside Codex, first detect whether Chrome Computer Use is enabled:
12 
131. If Computer Use tools are already visible, call `get_app_state` for `Google Chrome`.
142. If not, use `tool_search` for `computer-use get_app_state click press_key drag scroll Google Chrome`, then call `get_app_state`.
153. If `get_app_state` succeeds, use the user's real Chrome with Computer Use for all X UI actions.
164. Use CDP scripts only when Computer Use is unavailable or explicitly requested.
17 
18If the user explicitly asks for Chrome Computer Use, do not use Playwright, the in-app Browser, or CDP without approval.
19 
20### Step 1: Copy Image to Clipboard
21 
22```bash
23${BUN_X} {baseDir}/scripts/copy-to-clipboard.ts image /path/to/image.png
24```
25 
26### Step 2: Paste from Clipboard
27 
28```bash
29# Simple paste to frontmost app
30${BUN_X} {baseDir}/scripts/paste-from-clipboard.ts
31 
32# Paste to Chrome with retries
33${BUN_X} {baseDir}/scripts/paste-from-clipboard.ts --app "Google Chrome" --retries 5
34 
35# Quick paste with shorter delay
36${BUN_X} {baseDir}/scripts/paste-from-clipboard.ts --delay 200
37```
38 
39### Step 3: Use Chrome Computer Use (Preferred)
40 
411. Use `get_app_state` for `Google Chrome`.
422. Navigate Chrome to `https://x.com/compose/post` if needed.
433. Click the composer and type the post text.
444. Copy each image to the clipboard with `copy-to-clipboard.ts image <path>`.
455. Press `super+v` on macOS or `control+v` on Windows/Linux with Computer Use.
466. Wait until X finishes media upload.
477. Ask for explicit confirmation before clicking `Post`.
48 
49## Image Support
50 
51- Formats: PNG, JPEG, GIF, WebP
52- Max 4 images per post
53- Images copied to system clipboard, then pasted via keyboard shortcut
54 
55## Example Session
56 
57```
58User: /post-to-x "Hello from Claude!" --image ./screenshot.png
59 
60Claude:
611. Detects Chrome Computer Use
622. Opens X compose in the user's real Chrome
633. Types text into editor
644. Copies image to clipboard and pastes with Computer Use
655. Waits for upload and verifies the preview
666. Asks before clicking Post
67```
68 
69## Troubleshooting
70 
71- **Chrome not found**: Set `X_BROWSER_CHROME_PATH` environment variable
72- **Not logged in**: First run opens Chrome - log in manually, cookies are saved
73- **Image paste fails**:
74  - Verify clipboard script: `${BUN_X} {baseDir}/scripts/copy-to-clipboard.ts image <path>`
75  - On macOS, grant "Accessibility" permission to Terminal/iTerm in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility
76  - Keep Chrome window visible and in front during paste operations
77- **osascript permission denied**: Grant Terminal accessibility permissions in System Preferences
78- **Rate limited**: Wait a few minutes before retrying
79 
80## How It Works
81 
82In Chrome Computer Use mode:
831. Codex controls the user's visible Google Chrome window
842. Text is typed through the real UI
853. Images are copied to the system clipboard and pasted with real keystrokes
864. The user confirms before the final public post
87 
88The `x-browser.ts` script is the CDP fallback. It uses Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP) to:
891. Launch real Chrome (not Playwright) with `--disable-blink-features=AutomationControlled`
902. Use persistent profile directory for saved login sessions
913. Interact with X via CDP commands (Runtime.evaluate, Input.dispatchKeyEvent)
924. **Paste images using osascript** (macOS): Sends real Cmd+V keystroke to Chrome, bypassing CDP's synthetic events that X can detect
93 
94This approach bypasses X's anti-automation detection that blocks Playwright/Puppeteer.
95 
96### Image Paste Mechanism (macOS)
97 
98CDP's `Input.dispatchKeyEvent` sends "synthetic" keyboard events that websites can detect. X ignores synthetic paste events for security. The solution:
99 
1001. Copy image to system clipboard via Swift/AppKit (`copy-to-clipboard.ts`)
1012. Bring Chrome to front via `osascript`
1023. Send real Cmd+V keystroke via `osascript` and System Events
1034. Wait for upload to complete
104 
105This requires Terminal to have "Accessibility" permission in System Settings.
106