app.md Codex Docs, 2026-04-08 00:40 UTC → 2026-05-07 17:08 UTC

4 4 

5ChatGPT 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).

6 6 

7![Codex app for Windows showing a project sidebar, active thread, and review pane](/images/codex/windows/codex-windows-light.webp)7<PlatformSpecificContent>

8 8 <CodexScreenshot

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

10 24 

11## Getting started25## Getting started

12 26 

13The 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.

14 31 

32<WorkflowSteps variant="headings">

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

16 34 

17 Download the Codex app for Windows or macOS.35 Download the Codex app for macOS or Windows. Choose the Intel build if you're using an Intel-based Mac.

18 36 

19 [Download for macOS](https://persistent.oaistatic.com/codex-app-prod/Codex.dmg)37 <CodexAppDownloadCta client:load className="mb-4" />

20 38 

39 <div class="text-sm">

21 [Get notified for Linux](https://openai.com/form/codex-app/)40 [Get notified for Linux](https://openai.com/form/codex-app/)

41 </div>

42 

222. Open Codex and sign in432. Open Codex and sign in

23 44 

24 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.

36 58 

37 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:

38 60 

39- Tell me about this project61 <ExampleGallery>

40- Build a classic Snake game in this repo.62 <ExampleTask

41- Find and fix bugs in my codebase with minimal, high-confidence changes.63 client:load

42 64 id="intro"

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

44 If you're new to Codex, read the [best practices guide](https://developers.openai.com/codex/learn/best-practices).120 If you're new to Codex, read the [best practices guide](https://developers.openai.com/codex/learn/best-practices).

45 121 

122</WorkflowSteps>

123 

46---124---

47 125 

48## Work with the Codex app126## Work with the Codex app

49 127 

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

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

130 

131### Multitask across projects

132 

133Run project threads side by side and switch between them quickly.

134 

135 </BentoContent>

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

137 

138### Worktrees

139 

140Keep parallel code changes isolated with built-in Git worktree support.

141 

142 </BentoContent>

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

144 

145### Computer use

146 

147Let Codex use macOS apps for GUI tasks, browser flows, and native app testing.

148 

149 </BentoContent>

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

151 

152### Review and ship changes

153 

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/features#image-generation">

172 

173### Image generation

174 

175Generate or edit images in a thread while you work on the surrounding code and assets.

176 

177 </BentoContent>

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

179 

180### Automations

181 

182Schedule recurring tasks, or wake up the same thread for ongoing checks.

183 

184 </BentoContent>

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

186 

187### Skills

188 

189Reuse instructions and workflows across the app, CLI, and IDE Extension.

190 

191 </BentoContent>

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

51 193 

52Run multiple tasks in parallel and switch quickly between them.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/features#multitask-across-projects)[### Built-in Git tools194### Sidebar and artifacts

53 195 

54Review 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 tasks196Follow plans, sources, task summaries, and generated file previews.

55 197 

56Isolate changes of multiple Codex threads using built-in Git worktree support.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/worktrees)[### Skills support198 </BentoContent>

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

57 200 

58Give your Codex agent additional capabilities and reuse skills across App, CLI, and IDE Extension.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/features#skills-support)[### Automations201### Plugins

59 202 

60Pair 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 terminal203Connect apps, skills, and MCP servers to extend what Codex can do.

61 204 

62Open 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 environments205 </BentoContent>

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

63 207 

64Define worktree setup scripts and common project actions for easy access.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/local-environments)[### Sync with the IDE extension208### IDE Extension sync

65 209 

66Share Auto Context and active threads across app and IDE sessions.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/features#sync-with-the-ide-extension)[### MCP support210Share Auto Context and active threads across app and IDE sessions.

67 211 

68Connect your Codex agent to additional services using MCP.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/features#mcp-support)212 </BentoContent>

213</BentoContainer>

69 214 

70---215---

71 216