Water moving through a mechanical gate and leaving a visible downstream trace
CREATE SOMETHING Learn

Build workflows operators can run and explain

Practical paths for business owners becoming operators. Start in the OpenAI ecosystem with the Codex app, create a RapidAPI-backed MCP, then use Canon image rules to make boundaries, policy, proof, and handoff visible.

Start lesson 1 Review paths
  • Learning paths 2 / 11 lessons
  • Working surface Codex app + MCP
  • Evidence Canon workflow images
  • Outcome Operator-ready proof
Learning loop

Prompt. Create. Prove.

Performance learning is complete when the operator can run the workflow, inspect its boundary, and explain the evidence it leaves behind.

01 / Prompt Start in the Codex app

Use the Codex app and its MCP-building skill to turn a concrete operator question into a narrow tool contract.

02 / Create Wrap the data source

Create the MCP server, connect one RapidAPI endpoint, and keep the schema inspectable.

03 / Prove Make the work visible

Use Canon image rules to show the object, boundary, policy gate, receipt, owner, and next action.

Course outline

Two operator paths: create the workflow, then make it visible.

Learn Codex by Creating an MCP for Business Data

Build Your First Business MCP

One practical path: use the Codex app to turn a RapidAPI business-data endpoint into a stable local MCP server for a real operator workflow.

  1. 01
    What Codex Uses MCP For

    Understand how Codex uses MCP tools and its MCP-building skill to make business workflows repeatable.

    10 min
  2. 02
    Scaffold an MCP Server

    Use the Codex MCP-building skill to plan a minimal TypeScript server, then scaffold it locally.

    20 min
  3. 03
    Add a Business Search Tool

    Connect RapidAPI Local Business Data with Zod input validation and machine-readable output.

    25 min
  4. 04
    Connect the Server to Codex

    Register the server in the Codex app, inspect the MCP settings, and invoke the tool from chat.

    15 min
  5. 05
    Test, Debug, Iterate

    Use Inspector, Codex config checks, and stderr logs to diagnose API, schema, and prompt failures.

    25 min
  6. 06
    Ship and Extend

    Document the tool contract, safety model, evidence loop, and next useful tools.

    10 min
Learn Canon by Turning Work Into Proof Images

Make Your Workflow Visible

Use Canon image rules to turn an operator workflow into clear maps, MCP boundaries, policy gates, validation receipts, and handoff artifacts.

  1. 01
    What a Workflow Image Must Prove

    Learn the Canon rule for useful images: show the object, decision state, proof, or owner.

    10 min
  2. 02
    Map Database, Automation, Judgment

    Turn a business workflow into three visible lanes so Codex and operators know what is data, execution, and policy.

    15 min
  3. 03
    Show the MCP Boundary

    Draw the edge between Codex, the MCP server, external APIs, and the human approval point.

    15 min
  4. 04
    Place Policy Gates

    Use run, review, stop, and escalate states to make automation limits visible before work ships.

    15 min
  5. 05
    Ship Receipts and Metadata

    Package the image with the claim, validation evidence, owner, refresh date, and next action.

    15 min
How it lands

The course is judged by artifacts, not vibes.

Tool contract

Input schema, output shape, API limits, and failure behavior are explicit.

Local config

Codex can find and run the server from your environment.

Workflow image

The object, MCP boundary, policy gate, owner, and receipt are visible.

Next workflow

You leave with a scoped extension instead of a vague automation roadmap.

Learning handoff

Build the smallest useful workflow first.

Start with one Codex prompt, one endpoint, one schema, and one MCP call. Then use Canon to make the operating boundary visible enough to govern.

Start lesson 1 View paths
Owner
Learner / operator
Authority
Artifact review
Proof
Working MCP + workflow image
State
ready