app.md Codex Docs, 2026-02-19 20:37 UTC → 2026-05-14 07:00 UTC

1# Codex app1# Codex app

2 2 

3Your Codex command center

4 

5The Codex app is a focused desktop experience for working on Codex threads in parallel, with built-in worktree support, automations, and Git functionality.3The Codex app is a focused desktop experience for working on Codex threads in parallel, with built-in worktree support, automations, and Git functionality.

6 4 

7ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, Edu, and Enterprise plans include Codex. Learn more about [what's included](https://developers.openai.com/codex/pricing).5ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, Edu, and Enterprise plans include Codex. Learn more about [what's included](https://developers.openai.com/codex/pricing).

8 6 

9![Codex app window with a project sidebar, active thread, and review pane](/images/codex/app/app-screenshot-light.webp) ![Codex app window with a project sidebar, active thread, and review pane](/images/codex/app/app-screenshot-dark.webp)7<PlatformSpecificContent>

10 8 <CodexScreenshot

11![Codex app window with a project sidebar, active thread, and review pane](/images/codex/app/app-screenshot-light.webp) ![Codex app window with a project sidebar, active thread, and review pane](/images/codex/app/app-screenshot-dark.webp)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>

12 24 

13## Getting started25## Getting started

14 26 

15The Codex app is available on macOS (Apple Silicon).27The Codex app is available on macOS and Windows.

28 

29Most Codex app features are available on both platforms. Platform-specific

30exceptions are noted in the relevant docs.

16 31 

32<WorkflowSteps variant="headings">

171. Download and install the Codex app331. Download and install the Codex app

18 34 

19 The Codex app is currently only available for macOS.35 Download the Codex app for macOS or Windows. Choose the Intel build if you're using an Intel-based Mac.

20 36 

21 [Download for macOS](https://persistent.oaistatic.com/codex-app-prod/Codex.dmg)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>

22 42 

23 [Get notified for Windows and Linux](https://openai.com/form/codex-app/)

242. Open Codex and sign in432. Open Codex and sign in

25 44 

26 Once you downloaded and installed the Codex app, open it and sign in with your ChatGPT account or an OpenAI API key.45 Once you downloaded and installed the Codex app, open it and sign in with your ChatGPT account or an OpenAI API key.

38 58 

39 You can ask Codex anything about the project or your computer in general. Here are some examples:59 You can ask Codex anything about the project or your computer in general. Here are some examples:

40 60 

41 ![](https://developers.openai.com/codex/colorcons/brain.png)Tell me about this projectCopied![](https://developers.openai.com/codex/colorcons/gamepad.png)Build a classic Snake game in this repo.Copied![](https://developers.openai.com/codex/colorcons/search.png)Find and fix bugs in my codebase with minimal, high-confidence changes.Copied61 <ExampleGallery>

42 62 <ExampleTask

43 If you need more inspiration, check out the [explore section](https://developers.openai.com/codex/explore).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>

44 123 

45---124---

46 125 

47## Work with the Codex app126## Work with the Codex app

48 127 

49[### Multitask across projects128<BentoContainer class="mt-6">

129 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/features#multitask-across-projects">

50 130 

51Run multiple tasks in parallel and switch quickly between them.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/features#multitask-across-projects)[### Built-in Git tools131### Multitask across projects

52 132 

53Review diffs, comment inline, stage or revert chunks, and commit without leaving the app.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/features#built-in-git-tools)[### Worktrees for parallel tasks133Run project threads side by side and switch between them quickly.

54 134 

55Isolate changes of multiple Codex threads using built-in Git worktree support.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/worktrees)[### Skills support135 </BentoContent>

136 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/worktrees">

56 137 

57Give your Codex agent additional capabilities and reuse skills across App, CLI, and IDE Extension.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/features#skills-support)[### Automations138### Worktrees

58 139 

59Pair skills with automations to automate recurring tasks in the background. Codex adds findings to the inbox, or automatically archives runs if there’s nothing to report.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations)[### Built-in terminal140Keep parallel code changes isolated with built-in Git worktree support.

60 141 

61Open a terminal per thread to test your changes, run dev servers, scripts, and custom commands.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/features#integrated-terminal)[### Local environments142 </BentoContent>

143 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/computer-use">

62 144 

63Define worktree setup scripts and common project actions for easy access.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/local-environments)[### Sync with the IDE extension145### Computer use

64 146 

65Share Auto Context and active threads across app and IDE sessions.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/features#sync-with-the-ide-extension)[### MCP support147Let Codex use macOS apps for GUI tasks, browser flows, and native app testing.

66 148 

67Connect your Codex agent to additional services using MCP.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/features#mcp-support)149 </BentoContent>

150 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/review">

68 151 

152### Review and ship changes

69 153 

70Need help? Visit the [troubleshooting guide](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/troubleshooting).154Inspect diffs, address PR feedback, stage files, commit, and push.

155 

156 </BentoContent>

157 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/features#integrated-terminal">

158 

159### Terminal and actions

160 

161Run commands in each thread and launch repeatable project actions.

162 

163 </BentoContent>

164 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/browser">

165 

166### In-app browser

167 

168Open rendered pages, leave comments, or let Codex operate local browser flows.

169 

170 </BentoContent>

171 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/chrome-extension">

172 

173### Chrome extension

174 

175Add the Chrome plugin so Codex can use Chrome for signed-in browser tasks while you manage website approvals.

176 

177 </BentoContent>

178 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/features#image-generation">

179 

180### Image generation

71 181 

72[Next182Generate or edit images in a thread while you work on the surrounding code and assets.

73 183 

74Features](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/features)184 </BentoContent>

185 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/automations">

186 

187### Automations

188 

189Schedule recurring tasks, or wake up the same thread for ongoing checks.

190 

191 </BentoContent>

192 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/features#skills-support">

193 

194### Skills

195 

196Reuse instructions and workflows across the app, CLI, and IDE Extension.

197 

198 </BentoContent>

199 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/features#richer-outputs-and-artifacts">

200 

201### Sidebar and artifacts

202 

203Follow plans, sources, task summaries, and generated file previews.

204 

205 </BentoContent>

206 <BentoContent href="/codex/plugins">

207 

208### Plugins

209 

210Connect apps, skills, and MCP servers to extend what Codex can do.

211 

212 </BentoContent>

213 <BentoContent href="/codex/app/features#sync-with-the-ide-extension">

214 

215### IDE Extension sync

216 

217Share Auto Context and active threads across app and IDE sessions.

218 

219 </BentoContent>

220</BentoContainer>

221 

222---

223 

224Need help? Visit the [troubleshooting guide](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/troubleshooting).