diff --git a/codex-rs/app-server/src/message_processor.rs b/codex-rs/app-server/src/message_processor.rs
index 6bc73d0570..749443f79d 100644
--- a/codex-rs/app-server/src/message_processor.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/app-server/src/message_processor.rs
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ pub(crate) struct MessageProcessor {
     thread_processor: ThreadRequestProcessor,
     turn_processor: TurnRequestProcessor,
     windows_sandbox_processor: WindowsSandboxRequestProcessor,
-    owns_external_auth_refresh_bridge: bool,
+    external_auth_refresh_bridge: Option<Arc<dyn ExternalAuth>>,
     request_serialization_queues: RequestSerializationQueues,
 }
 
@@ -321,10 +321,13 @@ impl MessageProcessor {
             remote_control_handle,
             plugin_startup_tasks,
         } = args;
-        let owns_external_auth_refresh_bridge =
-            auth_manager.set_external_auth_if_absent(Arc::new(ExternalAuthRefreshBridge {
+        let external_auth_refresh_bridge: Arc<dyn ExternalAuth> =
+            Arc::new(ExternalAuthRefreshBridge {
                 outgoing: outgoing.clone(),
-            }));
+            });
+        let external_auth_refresh_bridge = auth_manager
+            .replace_non_required_external_auth(Arc::clone(&external_auth_refresh_bridge))
+            .then_some(external_auth_refresh_bridge);
         let thread_state_manager = ThreadStateManager::new();
         // The thread store is intentionally process-scoped. Config reloads can
         // affect per-thread behavior, but they must not move newly started,
@@ -567,14 +570,15 @@ impl MessageProcessor {
             thread_processor,
             turn_processor,
             windows_sandbox_processor,
-            owns_external_auth_refresh_bridge,
+            external_auth_refresh_bridge,
             request_serialization_queues: RequestSerializationQueues::default(),
         }
     }
 
     pub(crate) fn clear_runtime_references(&self) {
-        if self.owns_external_auth_refresh_bridge {
-            self.account_processor.clear_external_auth();
+        if let Some(external_auth_refresh_bridge) = &self.external_auth_refresh_bridge {
+            self.account_processor
+                .clear_external_auth_if(external_auth_refresh_bridge);
         }
         self.apps_processor.shutdown();
         self.models_refresh_worker.shutdown();
diff --git a/codex-rs/app-server/src/request_processors.rs b/codex-rs/app-server/src/request_processors.rs
index b5295b9b74..0ed4d79093 100644
--- a/codex-rs/app-server/src/request_processors.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/app-server/src/request_processors.rs
@@ -363,6 +363,7 @@ use codex_login::AuthManager;
 use codex_login::CodexAuth;
 use codex_login::ServerOptions as LoginServerOptions;
 use codex_login::ShutdownHandle;
+use codex_login::auth::ExternalAuth;
 use codex_login::auth::login_with_chatgpt_auth_tokens;
 use codex_login::complete_device_code_login;
 use codex_login::login_with_api_key;
diff --git a/codex-rs/app-server/src/request_processors/account_processor.rs b/codex-rs/app-server/src/request_processors/account_processor.rs
index 3041d3ae46..5b264abb2f 100644
--- a/codex-rs/app-server/src/request_processors/account_processor.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/app-server/src/request_processors/account_processor.rs
@@ -158,11 +158,12 @@ impl AccountRequestProcessor {
         }
     }
 
-    pub(crate) fn clear_external_auth(&self) {
-        self.auth_manager.clear_external_auth();
-        self.thread_manager
-            .plugins_manager()
-            .set_auth_mode(self.auth_manager.get_api_auth_mode());
+    pub(crate) fn clear_external_auth_if(&self, expected: &Arc<dyn ExternalAuth>) {
+        if self.auth_manager.clear_external_auth_if(expected) {
+            self.thread_manager
+                .plugins_manager()
+                .set_auth_mode(self.auth_manager.get_api_auth_mode());
+        }
     }
 
     fn current_account_updated_notification(&self) -> AccountUpdatedNotification {
diff --git a/codex-rs/app-server/src/request_processors/plugins.rs b/codex-rs/app-server/src/request_processors/plugins.rs
index a0bbf5ba65..da9a71a2b1 100644
--- a/codex-rs/app-server/src/request_processors/plugins.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/app-server/src/request_processors/plugins.rs
@@ -809,11 +809,16 @@ impl PluginRequestProcessor {
         if !config.features.enabled(Feature::Plugins) {
             return Ok(empty_response());
         }
-        let auth = self
-            .auth_manager
-            .auth()
-            .await
-            .map_err(|err| internal_error(format!("failed to resolve auth: {err}")))?;
+        let requires_resolved_auth = config.features.enabled(Feature::RemotePlugin)
+            || config.features.enabled(Feature::PluginSharing);
+        let auth = if requires_resolved_auth {
+            self.auth_manager
+                .auth()
+                .await
+                .map_err(|err| internal_error(format!("failed to resolve auth: {err}")))?
+        } else {
+            self.auth_manager.auth_cached()
+        };
         if !self
             .workspace_codex_plugins_enabled(&config, auth.as_ref())
             .await
diff --git a/codex-rs/app-server/tests/suite/v2/plugin_list.rs b/codex-rs/app-server/tests/suite/v2/plugin_list.rs
index 57f1b8e1c3..0364fd6454 100644
--- a/codex-rs/app-server/tests/suite/v2/plugin_list.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/app-server/tests/suite/v2/plugin_list.rs
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ fn write_plugins_enabled_config_with_workload_identity(
     codex_home: &std::path::Path,
     server: &MockServer,
     token_path: &std::path::Path,
+    extra_config: &str,
 ) -> std::io::Result<()> {
     let token_path = toml::Value::String(token_path.to_string_lossy().into_owned());
     let chatgpt_base_url = toml::Value::String(format!("{}/backend-api", server.uri()));
@@ -99,6 +100,8 @@ token_url = {token_url}
 [workload_identity.credential_source]
 type = "file"
 path = {token_path}
+
+{extra_config}
 "#,
         ),
     )
@@ -183,7 +186,12 @@ async fn plugin_list_local_succeeds_when_workload_identity_becomes_unavailable()
     let server = MockServer::start().await;
     let token_path = codex_home.path().join("projected-workload-token");
     std::fs::write(&token_path, "external-subject-token\n")?;
-    write_plugins_enabled_config_with_workload_identity(codex_home.path(), &server, &token_path)?;
+    write_plugins_enabled_config_with_workload_identity(
+        codex_home.path(),
+        &server,
+        &token_path,
+        "",
+    )?;
 
     let access_token = workload_identity_access_token();
     Mock::given(method("POST"))
@@ -238,6 +246,83 @@ async fn plugin_list_local_succeeds_when_workload_identity_becomes_unavailable()
     Ok(())
 }
 
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn plugin_installed_local_succeeds_when_workload_identity_becomes_unavailable() -> Result<()>
+{
+    let codex_home = TempDir::new()?;
+    let server = MockServer::start().await;
+    let token_path = codex_home.path().join("projected-workload-token");
+    std::fs::write(&token_path, "external-subject-token\n")?;
+    write_openai_curated_marketplace(codex_home.path(), &["linear"])?;
+    write_installed_plugin(&codex_home, "openai-curated", "linear")?;
+    write_plugins_enabled_config_with_workload_identity(
+        codex_home.path(),
+        &server,
+        &token_path,
+        r#"[plugins."linear@openai-curated"]
+enabled = true"#,
+    )?;
+
+    let access_token = workload_identity_access_token();
+    Mock::given(method("POST"))
+        .and(path("/oauth/token"))
+        .respond_with(ResponseTemplate::new(200).set_body_json(serde_json::json!({
+            "access_token": access_token.clone(),
+            "issued_token_type": "urn:ietf:params:oauth:token-type:access_token",
+            "token_type": "Bearer",
+            "expires_in": 3600,
+            "user_id": "user_test",
+            "chatgpt_account_id": "workspace_test",
+            "chatgpt_plan_type": "enterprise",
+        })))
+        .expect(1)
+        .mount(&server)
+        .await;
+    Mock::given(method("GET"))
+        .and(path("/backend-api/wham/config/bundle"))
+        .respond_with(ResponseTemplate::new(200).set_body_json(serde_json::json!({})))
+        .expect(1)
+        .mount(&server)
+        .await;
+    Mock::given(method("GET"))
+        .and(path("/backend-api/accounts/workspace_test/settings"))
+        .and(header("authorization", format!("Bearer {access_token}")))
+        .respond_with(ResponseTemplate::new(200).set_body_json(serde_json::json!({
+            "beta_settings": { "enable_plugins": true },
+        })))
+        .expect(1)
+        .mount(&server)
+        .await;
+
+    let mut mcp =
+        TestAppServer::new_with_env(codex_home.path(), &[("OPENAI_API_KEY", None)]).await?;
+    timeout(DEFAULT_TIMEOUT, mcp.initialize()).await??;
+    std::fs::remove_file(token_path)?;
+
+    let request_id = mcp
+        .send_plugin_installed_request(PluginInstalledParams {
+            cwds: None,
+            install_suggestion_plugin_names: None,
+        })
+        .await?;
+    let response: JSONRPCResponse = timeout(
+        DEFAULT_TIMEOUT,
+        mcp.read_stream_until_response_message(RequestId::Integer(request_id)),
+    )
+    .await??;
+    let response: PluginInstalledResponse = to_response(response)?;
+
+    assert!(response.marketplace_load_errors.is_empty());
+    assert!(response.marketplaces.iter().any(|marketplace| {
+        marketplace
+            .plugins
+            .iter()
+            .any(|plugin| plugin.id == "linear@openai-curated" && plugin.installed)
+    }));
+    server.verify().await;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn plugin_installed_includes_installed_plugins_and_explicit_install_suggestions() -> Result<()>
 {
diff --git a/codex-rs/linux-sandbox/src/bwrap.rs b/codex-rs/linux-sandbox/src/bwrap.rs
index a39561f34e..9f8c1f351c 100644
--- a/codex-rs/linux-sandbox/src/bwrap.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/linux-sandbox/src/bwrap.rs
@@ -1034,9 +1034,14 @@ fn prune_redundant_unreadable_roots(
             retained.push((candidate, original));
             continue;
         }
-        for (ancestor, _) in &retained {
+        for (ancestor, ancestor_original) in &retained {
             if candidate == *ancestor {
-                continue 'candidate;
+                if original == *ancestor_original {
+                    continue 'candidate;
+                }
+                // Distinct symlink and canonical spellings need separate
+                // mounts even when they resolve to the same inode.
+                continue;
             }
             if !candidate.starts_with(ancestor) {
                 continue;
@@ -2687,6 +2692,25 @@ mod tests {
         );
     }
 
+    #[cfg(unix)]
+    #[test]
+    fn symlink_and_canonical_deny_spellings_are_both_retained() {
+        let temp_dir = TempDir::new().expect("temp dir");
+        let target = temp_dir.path().join("target-token");
+        let symlink = temp_dir.path().join("projected-token");
+        std::fs::write(&target, "secret").expect("write token");
+        std::os::unix::fs::symlink(&target, &symlink).expect("create token symlink");
+
+        let retained = prune_redundant_unreadable_roots(
+            vec![symlink.clone(), target.clone()],
+            /*allowed_write_paths*/ &[],
+        );
+
+        assert_eq!(retained.len(), 2);
+        assert!(retained.contains(&symlink));
+        assert!(retained.contains(&target));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn pruned_nested_deny_is_not_readded_as_a_read_only_mount() {
         let temp_dir = TempDir::new().expect("temp dir");
diff --git a/codex-rs/login/src/auth/auth_tests.rs b/codex-rs/login/src/auth/auth_tests.rs
index f26c2d6cdc..3c4fcc29db 100644
--- a/codex-rs/login/src/auth/auth_tests.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/login/src/auth/auth_tests.rs
@@ -569,6 +569,7 @@ struct TestExternalChatgptAuth {
 }
 
 struct FailingExternalChatgptAuth(&'static str);
+struct OptionalFailingExternalChatgptAuth(&'static str);
 
 impl ExternalAuth for FailingExternalChatgptAuth {
     fn auth_mode(&self) -> AuthMode {
@@ -593,6 +594,25 @@ impl ExternalAuth for FailingExternalChatgptAuth {
     }
 }
 
+impl ExternalAuth for OptionalFailingExternalChatgptAuth {
+    fn auth_mode(&self) -> AuthMode {
+        AuthMode::Chatgpt
+    }
+
+    fn resolve(&self) -> ExternalAuthFuture<'_, Option<ExternalAuthTokens>> {
+        let message = self.0;
+        Box::pin(async move { Err(std::io::Error::other(message)) })
+    }
+
+    fn refresh(
+        &self,
+        _context: ExternalAuthRefreshContext,
+    ) -> ExternalAuthFuture<'_, ExternalAuthTokens> {
+        let message = self.0;
+        Box::pin(async move { Err(std::io::Error::other(message)) })
+    }
+}
+
 impl ExternalAuth for TestExternalChatgptAuth {
     fn auth_mode(&self) -> AuthMode {
         AuthMode::Chatgpt
@@ -782,7 +802,7 @@ async fn auth_result_preserves_external_auth_resolution_errors() {
 }
 
 #[tokio::test]
-async fn set_external_auth_if_absent_preserves_existing_provider() {
+async fn replace_non_required_external_auth_preserves_required_provider() {
     let manager = AuthManager::shared(
         PathBuf::from("non-existent"),
         /*enable_codex_api_key_env*/ false,
@@ -792,22 +812,42 @@ async fn set_external_auth_if_absent_preserves_existing_provider() {
     )
     .await;
 
-    assert!(
-        manager.set_external_auth_if_absent(Arc::new(FailingExternalChatgptAuth(
-            "original external auth",
-        )))
-    );
-    assert!(
-        !manager.set_external_auth_if_absent(Arc::new(FailingExternalChatgptAuth(
-            "replacement external auth",
-        )))
-    );
+    manager.set_external_auth(Arc::new(FailingExternalChatgptAuth(
+        "required external auth",
+    )));
+    let optional: Arc<dyn ExternalAuth> =
+        Arc::new(OptionalFailingExternalChatgptAuth("optional external auth"));
+    assert!(!manager.replace_non_required_external_auth(Arc::clone(&optional)));
+    assert!(!manager.clear_external_auth_if(&optional));
 
     let error = manager
         .auth()
         .await
-        .expect_err("the original external auth should remain installed");
-    assert_eq!(error.to_string(), "original external auth");
+        .expect_err("the required external auth should remain installed");
+    assert_eq!(error.to_string(), "required external auth");
+}
+
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn non_required_external_auth_cleanup_is_registration_scoped() {
+    let manager = AuthManager::shared(
+        PathBuf::from("non-existent"),
+        /*enable_codex_api_key_env*/ false,
+        AuthCredentialsStoreMode::File,
+        /*chatgpt_base_url*/ None,
+        AuthKeyringBackendKind::default(),
+    )
+    .await;
+    let first: Arc<dyn ExternalAuth> =
+        Arc::new(OptionalFailingExternalChatgptAuth("first external auth"));
+    let second: Arc<dyn ExternalAuth> =
+        Arc::new(OptionalFailingExternalChatgptAuth("second external auth"));
+
+    assert!(manager.replace_non_required_external_auth(Arc::clone(&first)));
+    assert!(manager.replace_non_required_external_auth(Arc::clone(&second)));
+    assert!(!manager.clear_external_auth_if(&first));
+    assert!(manager.has_external_auth());
+    assert!(manager.clear_external_auth_if(&second));
+    assert!(!manager.has_external_auth());
 }
 
 #[tokio::test]
diff --git a/codex-rs/login/src/auth/manager.rs b/codex-rs/login/src/auth/manager.rs
index 4da3abd4b0..7067a1f1a6 100644
--- a/codex-rs/login/src/auth/manager.rs
+++ b/codex-rs/login/src/auth/manager.rs
@@ -1878,20 +1878,33 @@ impl AuthManager {
         }
     }
 
-    pub fn set_external_auth_if_absent(&self, external_auth: Arc<dyn ExternalAuth>) -> bool {
-        if let Ok(mut guard) = self.external_auth.write()
-            && guard.is_none()
-        {
+    pub fn replace_non_required_external_auth(&self, external_auth: Arc<dyn ExternalAuth>) -> bool {
+        if external_auth.requires_successful_resolution() {
+            return false;
+        }
+        if let Ok(mut guard) = self.external_auth.write() {
+            if guard
+                .as_ref()
+                .is_some_and(|current| current.requires_successful_resolution())
+            {
+                return false;
+            }
             *guard = Some(external_auth);
             return true;
         }
         false
     }
 
-    pub fn clear_external_auth(&self) {
-        if let Ok(mut guard) = self.external_auth.write() {
+    pub fn clear_external_auth_if(&self, expected: &Arc<dyn ExternalAuth>) -> bool {
+        if let Ok(mut guard) = self.external_auth.write()
+            && guard
+                .as_ref()
+                .is_some_and(|current| Arc::ptr_eq(current, expected))
+        {
             *guard = None;
+            return true;
         }
+        false
     }
 
     pub fn set_forced_chatgpt_workspace_id(&self, workspace_id: Option<Vec<String>>) {