Quick answer
Replace backslashes with forward slashes inside a double-quoted TOML path, or keep the backslashes and use a single-quoted TOML literal string. Save and restart Codex.
The exact error
missing escaped value, expected b, e, f, n, r, \, quote, x, u, UDo not use this guide for a merely similar message. The workaround is scoped to this signature and the environments below.
Match your environment
- Codex Desktop
- Windows path in config.toml
- Startup spinner or config reload failure
What to do
- 01
Back up config.toml
Make a copy before editing so you can restore unrelated MCP and feature settings.
- 02
Find the double-quoted Windows path
In a TOML basic string, sequences beginning with a backslash are parsed as escapes.
command = "C:\Users\you\tools\server.exe" - 03
Use forward slashes
Windows applications generally accept forward slashes here, and the reporter confirmed this form works.
command = "C:/Users/you/tools/server.exe" - 04
Or use a literal TOML string
Single-quoted TOML strings preserve backslashes instead of treating them as escape sequences.
command = 'C:\Users\you\tools\server.exe' - 05
Restart and verify
Save the file, fully restart Codex, and confirm the config reload error is gone before changing another setting.
What likely happened
This is TOML parsing behavior, not a missing file. Backslashes have special meaning inside double-quoted TOML strings, so a normal-looking Windows path can create an invalid escape.
First-hand sources
Source links support the environment and workaround claims above. An issue being closed does not by itself mean a fix shipped.