1# Get from idea to proof of concept | Codex use cases1---
2 2name: Get from idea to proof of concept
3Codex use cases3tagline: Explore the concept visually with ImageGen and build a first version of
4 4 your idea.
55summary: Use Codex with ImageGen to turn a rough idea into a visual direction,
6 6 implement the smallest useful prototype, and verify it in a browser.
77skills:
8 8 - token: $imagegen
9Codex use case9 description: Generate visual concepts, UI mockups, asset directions, and
10 10 variants with `gpt-image-2` before Codex implements the selected
11# Get from idea to proof of concept11 direction.
12 12 - token: $playwright
13Explore the concept visually with ImageGen and build a first version of your idea.13 url: https://github.com/openai/skills/tree/main/skills/.curated/playwright-interactive
14 14 description: Open the running app in a real browser, inspect the changed route,
15Difficulty **Intermediate**15 and verify each small UI adjustment before the next iteration.
16 16 - token: build-web-apps
17Time horizon **1h**17 url: https://github.com/openai/plugins/tree/main/plugins/build-web-apps
18 18 description: Use the concept-first workflow for new web apps, dashboards, sites,
19Use Codex with ImageGen to turn a rough idea into a visual direction, implement the smallest useful prototype, and verify it in a browser.19 and frontend prototypes, then verify the implementation in the browser.
20 20 - token: game-studio
21## Best for21 url: https://github.com/openai/plugins/tree/main/plugins/game-studio
22 22 description: Use Game Studio when the proof of concept is a browser game and
23- Early product ideas where a working prototype will answer more than a written plan.23 needs a playable loop, asset workflow, HUD, engine choice, and playtest
24- Web apps, dashboards, and tools that need visual exploration before implementation.24 pass.
25- Teams that want to validate a product idea with a working prototype before investing further.25bestFor:
26 26 - Early product ideas where a working prototype will answer more than a
27# Contents27 written plan.
28 28 - Web apps, dashboards, and tools that need visual exploration before
29[← All use cases](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases)29 implementation.
30 30 - Teams that want to validate a product idea with a working prototype before
31Copy page [Export as PDF](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases/idea-to-proof-of-concept/?export=pdf)31 investing further.
32 32starterPrompt:
33Use Codex with ImageGen to turn a rough idea into a visual direction, implement the smallest useful prototype, and verify it in a browser.33 title: Build the Proof of Concept
34 34 body: >-
35Intermediate35 Use ImageGen to generate a high quality UI mockup for the following idea,
36 36 then use the [Build Web Apps plugin/Game studio plugin] to implement it:
371h37
38 38
39Related links39 [describe the idea, target user, and the main workflow]
40 40 suggestedEffort: high
41[Image generation guide](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation) [Codex plugins](https://developers.openai.com/codex/plugins)41relatedLinks:
42 42 - label: Image generation guide
43## Best for43 url: /api/docs/guides/image-generation
44 44 - label: Plugins
45- Early product ideas where a working prototype will answer more than a written plan.45 url: /codex/plugins
46- Web apps, dashboards, and tools that need visual exploration before implementation.46---
47- Teams that want to validate a product idea with a working prototype before investing further.
48
49## Skills & Plugins
50
51- ImageGen
52
53 Generate visual concepts, UI mockups, asset directions, and variants with `gpt-image-2` before Codex implements the selected direction.
54- [Playwright](https://github.com/openai/skills/tree/main/skills/.curated/playwright-interactive)
55
56 Open the running app in a real browser, inspect the changed route, and verify each small UI adjustment before the next iteration.
57- [Build Web Apps](https://github.com/openai/plugins/tree/main/plugins/build-web-apps)
58
59 Use the concept-first workflow for new web apps, dashboards, sites, and frontend prototypes, then verify the implementation in the browser.
60- [Game Studio](https://github.com/openai/plugins/tree/main/plugins/game-studio)
61
62 Use Game Studio when the proof of concept is a browser game and needs a playable loop, asset workflow, HUD, engine choice, and playtest pass.
63
64| Skill | Why use it |
65| --- | --- |
66| ImageGen | Generate visual concepts, UI mockups, asset directions, and variants with `gpt-image-2` before Codex implements the selected direction. |
67| [Playwright](https://github.com/openai/skills/tree/main/skills/.curated/playwright-interactive) | Open the running app in a real browser, inspect the changed route, and verify each small UI adjustment before the next iteration. |
68| [Build Web Apps](https://github.com/openai/plugins/tree/main/plugins/build-web-apps) | Use the concept-first workflow for new web apps, dashboards, sites, and frontend prototypes, then verify the implementation in the browser. |
69| [Game Studio](https://github.com/openai/plugins/tree/main/plugins/game-studio) | Use Game Studio when the proof of concept is a browser game and needs a playable loop, asset workflow, HUD, engine choice, and playtest pass. |
70
71## Starter prompt
72
73Use ImageGen to generate a high quality UI mockup for the following idea, then use the [Build Web Apps plugin/Game studio plugin] to implement it:
74[describe the idea, target user, and the main workflow]
75
76Open in the Codex app
77
78Use ImageGen to generate a high quality UI mockup for the following idea, then use the [Build Web Apps plugin/Game studio plugin] to implement it:
79[describe the idea, target user, and the main workflow]
80 47
81## Start with a visual direction48## Start with a visual direction
82 49
84 51
85You can do this in two ways:52You can do this in two ways:
86 53
87- Iterate on the visual direction using the ImageGen skill, and once you are satisfied with the proposed UI, you can ask Codex to build a prototype matching the visuals. In that case, make sure to copy the final image you want to implement in a new turn rather than continuing the conversation directly – Codex will do better when it can reference a user attachment.54- Iterate on the visual direction using the ImageGen skill, and once you are satisfied with the proposed UI, you can ask Codex to build a prototype matching the visuals. In that case, select Codex, start a new task, and attach the final image you want to implement rather than continuing the ChatGPT chat directly. Codex does better when it can reference a user attachment.
88- Use a plugin and simply describe your idea: the plugin will generate the visual direction for you and handle next steps.55- Use a plugin and simply describe your idea: the plugin will generate the visual direction for you and handle next steps.
89 56
90## Leverage a plugin57## Leverage a plugin
106A good proof of concept is scoped to an MVP that can be implemented quickly and validated with the team.73A good proof of concept is scoped to an MVP that can be implemented quickly and validated with the team.
107If you want to make sure the MVP is working as expected, you can use Playwright interactive to let Codex verify its work.74If you want to make sure the MVP is working as expected, you can use Playwright interactive to let Codex verify its work.
108 75
109Once you have a first version working, you can iterate on it by asking for scoped changes in the same conversation:76Once you have a first version working, you can iterate on it by asking for scoped changes in the same task:
110
111Add a new [feature/bug fix/etc.]. Use Playwright interactive to verify your changes.
112Feedback to apply:
113[paste comments, screenshots, or review notes]
114
115## Related use cases
116
117[
118
119### Make granular UI changes
120
121Use Codex to make one small UI adjustment at a time in an existing app, verify it in the...
122
123Front-end Design](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases/make-granular-ui-changes)[
124
125### Build and deploy internal apps
126
127Use Codex with Sites to build, test, and deploy internal apps, with built-in storage and...
128
129Front-end Integrations](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases/build-and-deploy-internal-apps)[
130
131### Build responsive front-end designs
132
133Use Codex to translate screenshots and design briefs into code that matches the repo's...
134
135Front-end Design](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases/frontend-designs)
136