app.md Codex Docs, 2026-02-19 20:37 UTC → 2026-05-18 22:01 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/remote-connections">

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### Remote connections

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 support147Use the ChatGPT mobile app to start, steer, approve, and review Codex work on a

148connected host.

66 149 

67Connect your Codex agent to additional services using MCP.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/features#mcp-support)150 </BentoContent>

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

68 152 

153### Computer use

69 154 

70Need help? Visit the [troubleshooting guide](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/troubleshooting).155Let Codex use macOS apps for GUI tasks, browser flows, and native app testing.

156 

157 </BentoContent>

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

159 

160### Review and ship changes

161 

162Inspect diffs, address PR feedback, stage files, commit, and push.

163 

164 </BentoContent>

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

166 

167### Terminal and actions

168 

169Run commands in each thread and launch repeatable project actions.

170 

171 </BentoContent>

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

173 

174### In-app browser

175 

176Open rendered pages, leave comments, or let Codex operate local browser flows.

177 

178 </BentoContent>

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

180 

181### Chrome extension

182 

183Add the Chrome plugin so Codex can use Chrome for signed-in browser tasks while you manage website approvals.

184 

185 </BentoContent>

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

71 187 

72[Next188### Image generation

73 189 

74Features](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/features)190Generate or edit images in a thread while you work on the surrounding code and assets.

191 

192 </BentoContent>

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

194 

195### Automations

196 

197Schedule recurring tasks, or wake up the same thread for ongoing checks.

198 

199 </BentoContent>

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

201 

202### Skills

203 

204Reuse instructions and workflows across the app, CLI, and IDE Extension.

205 

206 </BentoContent>

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

208 

209### Sidebar and artifacts

210 

211Follow plans, sources, task summaries, and generated file previews.

212 

213 </BentoContent>

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

215 

216### Plugins

217 

218Connect apps, skills, and MCP servers to extend what Codex can do.

219 

220 </BentoContent>

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

222 

223### IDE Extension sync

224 

225Share Auto Context and active threads across app and IDE sessions.

226 

227 </BentoContent>

228</BentoContainer>

229 

230---

231 

232Need help? Visit the [troubleshooting guide](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/troubleshooting).