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11# Codex app# ChatGPT desktop app
2 2
33The Codex app is a focused desktop experience for working on Codex threads in parallel, with built-in worktree support, automations, and Git functionality.<CodexSurfaceLanding surface="app" />
4
5ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, Edu, and Enterprise plans include Codex. Learn more about [what's included](https://developers.openai.com/codex/pricing).
6
7<PlatformSpecificContent>
8 <CodexScreenshot
9 slot="windows"
10 alt="Codex app for Windows showing a project sidebar, active thread, and review pane"
11 lightSrc="/images/codex/windows/codex-windows-light.webp"
12 darkSrc="/images/codex/windows/codex-windows-dark.webp"
13 variant="no-wallpaper"
14 maxHeight="300px"
15 />
16 <CodexScreenshot
17 alt="Codex app window with a project sidebar, active thread, and review pane"
18 lightSrc="/images/codex/app/app-screenshot-light.webp"
19 darkSrc="/images/codex/app/app-screenshot-dark.webp"
20 variant="no-wallpaper"
21 maxHeight="300px"
22 />
23</PlatformSpecificContent>
24
25## Getting started
26
27The Codex app is available on macOS and Windows.
28
29Most Codex app features are available on both platforms. The relevant docs
30describe platform-specific exceptions.
31
32<WorkflowSteps variant="headings">
331. Download and install the Codex app
34
35 Download the Codex app for macOS or Windows. Choose the Intel build if you're using an Intel-based Mac.
36
37 <CodexAppDownloadCta client:load className="mb-4" />
38
39 <div class="text-sm">
40 [Get notified for Linux](https://openai.com/form/codex-app/)
41 </div>
42
432. Open Codex and sign in
44
45 Once you downloaded and installed the Codex app, open it and sign in with your ChatGPT account or an OpenAI API key.
46
47 If you sign in with an OpenAI API key, [some functionality might not be available](https://developers.openai.com/codex/pricing#feature-availability).
48
493. Select a project
50
51 Choose a project folder that you want Codex to work in.
52
53If you used the Codex app, CLI, or IDE Extension before you'll see past projects that you worked on.
54
554. Send your first message
56
57 After choosing the project, make sure **Local** is selected to have Codex work on your machine and send your first message to Codex.
58
59 You can ask Codex anything about the project or your computer in general. Here are some examples:
60
61 <ExampleGallery>
62 <ExampleTask
63 client:load
64 id="intro"
65 prompt="Tell me about this project"
66 iconName="brain"
67 />
68 <ExampleTask
69 client:load
70 id="snake-game"
71 shortDescription="Build a classic Snake game in this repo."
72 prompt={[
73 "Build a classic Snake game in this repo.",
74 "",
75 "Scope & constraints:",
76 "- Implement ONLY the classic Snake loop: grid movement, growing snake, food spawn, score, game-over, restart.",
77 "- Reuse existing project tooling/frameworks; do NOT add new dependencies unless truly required.",
78 "- Keep UI minimal and consistent with the repo’s existing styles (no new design systems, no extra animations).",
79 "",
80 "Implementation plan:",
81 "1) Inspect the repo to find the right place to add a small interactive game (existing pages/routes/components).",
82 "2) Implement game state (snake positions, direction, food, score, tick timer) with deterministic, testable logic.",
83 "3) Render: simple grid + snake + food; support keyboard controls (arrow keys/WASD) and on-screen controls if mobile is present in the repo.",
84 "4) Add basic tests for the core game logic (movement, collisions, growth, food placement) if the repo has a test runner.",
85 "",
86 "Deliverables:",
87 "- A small set of files/changes with clear names.",
88 "- Short run instructions (how to start dev server + where to navigate).",
89 "- A brief checklist of what to manually verify (controls, pause/restart, boundaries).",
90 ].join("\n")}
91 iconName="gamepad"
92 />
93 <ExampleTask
94 client:load
95 id="fix-bugs"
96 shortDescription="Find and fix bugs in my codebase with minimal, high-confidence changes."
97 prompt={[
98 "Find and fix bugs in my codebase with minimal, high-confidence changes.",
99 "",
100 "Method (grounded + disciplined):",
101 "1) Reproduce: run tests/lint/build (or follow the existing repo scripts). If I provided an error, reproduce that exact failure.",
102 "2) Localize: identify the smallest set of files/lines involved (stack traces, failing tests, logs).",
103 "3) Fix: implement the minimal change that resolves the issue without refactors or unrelated cleanup.",
104 "4) Prove: add/update a focused test (or a tight repro) that fails before and passes after.",
105 "",
106 "Constraints:",
107 "- Do NOT invent errors or pretend to run commands you cannot run.",
108 "- No scope drift: no new features, no UI embellishments, no style overhauls.",
109 "- If information is missing, state what you can confirm from the repo and what remains unknown.",
110 "",
111 "Output:",
112 "- Summary (3–6 sentences max): what was broken, why, and the fix.",
113 "- Then ≤5 bullets: What changed, Where (paths), Evidence (tests/logs), Risks, Next steps.",
114 ].join("\n")}
115 iconName="search"
116 />
117 </ExampleGallery>
118
119 If you need more inspiration, explore [Codex use cases](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases).
120 If you're new to Codex, read the [best practices guide](https://developers.openai.com/codex/learn/best-practices).
121
122</WorkflowSteps>
123
124
125## Work with the Codex app
126
127<BentoContainer class="mt-6">
128 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/features#multitask-across-projects">
129
130### Multitask across projects
131
132Run project threads side by side and switch between them quickly.
133
134 </BentoContent>
135 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/worktrees">
136
137### Worktrees
138
139Keep parallel code changes isolated with built-in Git worktree support.
140
141 </BentoContent>
142 <BentoContent href="/codex/remote-connections">
143
144### Remote connections
145
146Use the ChatGPT mobile app to start, steer, approve, and review Codex work on a
147connected host.
148
149 </BentoContent>
150 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/computer-use">
151
152### Computer use
153
154Let Codex use macOS apps for GUI tasks, browser flows, and native app testing.
155
156 </BentoContent>
157 <BentoContent href="/codex/appshots">
158
159### Appshots
160
161Send the frontmost Mac app window to Codex with a screenshot and available text.
162
163 </BentoContent>
164 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/review">
165
166### Review and ship changes
167
168Inspect diffs, address PR feedback, stage files, commit, and push.
169
170 </BentoContent>
171 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/features#integrated-terminal">
172
173### Terminal and actions
174
175Run commands in each thread and launch repeatable project actions.
176
177 </BentoContent>
178 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/browser">
179
180### In-app browser
181
182Open rendered pages, leave comments, or let Codex operate local browser flows.
183
184 </BentoContent>
185 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/chrome-extension">
186
187### Chrome extension
188
189Add the Chrome plugin so Codex can use Chrome for signed-in browser tasks while you manage website approvals.
190
191 </BentoContent>
192 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/features#image-generation">
193
194### Image generation
195
196Generate or edit images in a thread while you work on the surrounding code and assets.
197
198 </BentoContent>
199 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/automations">
200
201### Automations
202
203Schedule recurring tasks, or wake up the same thread for ongoing checks.
204
205 </BentoContent>
206 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/features#skills-support">
207
208### Skills
209
210Reuse instructions and workflows across the app, CLI, and IDE Extension.
211
212 </BentoContent>
213 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/features#richer-outputs-and-artifacts">
214
215### Sidebar and artifacts
216
217Follow plans, sources, task summaries, and generated file previews.
218
219 </BentoContent>
220 <BentoContent href="/codex/plugins">
221
222### Plugins
223
224Connect apps, skills, and MCP servers to extend what Codex can do.
225
226 </BentoContent>
227 <BentoContent href="/codex/sites">
228
229### Sites
230
231Build and deploy hosted websites, web apps, and games with the Sites plugin.
232
233 </BentoContent>
234 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/features#sync-with-the-ide-extension">
235
236### IDE Extension sync
237
238Share Auto Context and active threads across app and IDE sessions.
239
240 </BentoContent>
241</BentoContainer>
242
243
244Need help? Visit the [troubleshooting guide](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/troubleshooting).