app/features.md Codex Docs, 2026-02-19 20:37 UTC → 2026-04-08 00:40 UTC

1# Codex app features1# Codex app features

2 2 

3What you can do with the Codex app

4 

5The Codex app is a focused desktop experience for working on Codex threads in parallel,3The Codex app is a focused desktop experience for working on Codex threads in parallel,

6with built-in worktree support, automations, and Git functionality.4with built-in worktree support, automations, and Git functionality.

7 5 

16session in a specific directory.14session in a specific directory.

17 15 

18If you work in a single repository with two or more apps or packages, split16If you work in a single repository with two or more apps or packages, split

19distinct projects into separate app projects so the [sandbox](https://developers.openai.com/codex/security)17distinct projects into separate app projects so the [sandbox](https://developers.openai.com/codex/agent-approvals-security)

20only includes the files for that project.18only includes the files for that project.

21 19 

22![Codex app showing multiple projects in the sidebar and threads in the main pane](/images/codex/app/multitask-light.webp) ![Codex app showing multiple projects in the sidebar and threads in the main pane](/images/codex/app/multitask-dark.webp)20![Codex app showing multiple projects in the sidebar and threads in the main pane](/images/codex/app/multitask-light.webp)

23 

24![Codex app showing multiple projects in the sidebar and threads in the main pane](/images/codex/app/multitask-light.webp) ![Codex app showing multiple projects in the sidebar and threads in the main pane](/images/codex/app/multitask-dark.webp)

25 21 

26## Skills support22## Skills support

27 23 

29IDE Extension. You can also view and explore new skills that your team has25IDE Extension. You can also view and explore new skills that your team has

30created across your different projects by clicking Skills in the sidebar.26created across your different projects by clicking Skills in the sidebar.

31 27 

32![Skills picker showing available skills in the Codex app](/images/codex/app/skill-selector-light.webp) ![Skills picker showing available skills in the Codex app](/images/codex/app/skill-selector-dark.webp)28![Skills picker showing available skills in the Codex app](/images/codex/app/skill-selector-light.webp)

33 

34![Skills picker showing available skills in the Codex app](/images/codex/app/skill-selector-light.webp) ![Skills picker showing available skills in the Codex app](/images/codex/app/skill-selector-dark.webp)

35 29 

36## Automations30## Automations

37 31 

39such as evaluating errors in your telemetry and submitting fixes or creating reports on recent33such as evaluating errors in your telemetry and submitting fixes or creating reports on recent

40codebase changes.34codebase changes.

41 35 

42![Automation creation form with schedule and prompt fields](/images/codex/app/create-automation-light.webp) ![Automation creation form with schedule and prompt fields](/images/codex/app/create-automation-dark.webp)36![Automation creation form with schedule and prompt fields](/images/codex/app/create-automation-light.webp)

43 

44![Automation creation form with schedule and prompt fields](/images/codex/app/create-automation-light.webp) ![Automation creation form with schedule and prompt fields](/images/codex/app/create-automation-dark.webp)

45 37 

46## Modes38## Modes

47 39 

55 47 

56For the full glossary and concepts, explore the [concepts section](https://developers.openai.com/codex/prompting).48For the full glossary and concepts, explore the [concepts section](https://developers.openai.com/codex/prompting).

57 49 

58![New thread composer with Local, Worktree, and Cloud mode options](/images/codex/app/modes-light.webp) ![New thread composer with Local, Worktree, and Cloud mode options](/images/codex/app/modes-dark.webp)50![New thread composer with Local, Worktree, and Cloud mode options](/images/codex/app/modes-light.webp)

59 

60![New thread composer with Local, Worktree, and Cloud mode options](/images/codex/app/modes-light.webp) ![New thread composer with Local, Worktree, and Cloud mode options](/images/codex/app/modes-dark.webp)

61 51 

62## Built-in Git tools52## Built-in Git tools

63 53 

71 61 

72For more advanced Git tasks, use the [integrated terminal](#integrated-terminal).62For more advanced Git tasks, use the [integrated terminal](#integrated-terminal).

73 63 

74![Git diff and commit panel with a commit message field](/images/codex/app/git-commit-light.webp) ![Git diff and commit panel with a commit message field](/images/codex/app/git-commit-dark.webp)64![Git diff and commit panel with a commit message field](/images/codex/app/git-commit-light.webp)

75 

76![Git diff and commit panel with a commit message field](/images/codex/app/git-commit-light.webp) ![Git diff and commit panel with a commit message field](/images/codex/app/git-commit-dark.webp)

77 65 

78## Worktree support66## Worktree support

79 67 

88 76 

89[Learn more about using worktrees in the Codex app.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/worktrees)77[Learn more about using worktrees in the Codex app.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/worktrees)

90 78 

91![Worktree thread view showing branch actions and worktree details](/images/codex/app/worktree-light.webp) ![Worktree thread view showing branch actions and worktree details](/images/codex/app/worktree-dark.webp)79![Worktree thread view showing branch actions and worktree details](/images/codex/app/worktree-light.webp)

92 

93![Worktree thread view showing branch actions and worktree details](/images/codex/app/worktree-light.webp) ![Worktree thread view showing branch actions and worktree details](/images/codex/app/worktree-dark.webp)

94 80 

95## Integrated terminal81## Integrated terminal

96 82 

99pressing <kbd>Cmd</kbd>+<kbd>J</kbd>.85pressing <kbd>Cmd</kbd>+<kbd>J</kbd>.

100 86 

101Use the terminal to validate changes, run scripts, and perform Git operations87Use the terminal to validate changes, run scripts, and perform Git operations

102without leaving the app.88without leaving the app. Codex can also read the current terminal output, so

89it can check the status of a running development server or refer back to a

90failed build while it works with you.

103 91 

104Common tasks include:92Common tasks include:

105 93 

113Note that <kbd>Cmd</kbd>+<kbd>K</kbd> opens the command palette in the Codex101Note that <kbd>Cmd</kbd>+<kbd>K</kbd> opens the command palette in the Codex

114app. It doesn't clear the terminal. To clear the terminal use <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>L</kbd>.102app. It doesn't clear the terminal. To clear the terminal use <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>L</kbd>.

115 103 

116![Integrated terminal drawer open beneath a Codex thread](/images/codex/app/integrated-terminal-light.webp) ![Integrated terminal drawer open beneath a Codex thread](/images/codex/app/integrated-terminal-dark.webp)104![Integrated terminal drawer open beneath a Codex thread](/images/codex/app/integrated-terminal-light.webp)

105 

106## Native Windows sandbox

117 107 

118![Integrated terminal drawer open beneath a Codex thread](/images/codex/app/integrated-terminal-light.webp) ![Integrated terminal drawer open beneath a Codex thread](/images/codex/app/integrated-terminal-dark.webp)108On Windows, Codex can run natively in PowerShell with a native Windows sandbox

109instead of requiring WSL or a virtual machine. This lets you stay in

110Windows-native workflows while keeping bounded permissions in place.

111 

112[Learn more about Windows setup and sandboxing](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/windows).

113 

114![Codex app Windows sandbox setup prompt above the message composer](/images/codex/windows/windows-sandbox-setup.webp)

119 115 

120## Voice dictation116## Voice dictation

121 117 

122Use your voice to prompt Codex. Hold <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>M</kbd> while the composer is visible and start talking. Your voice will be transcribed. Edit the transcribed prompt or hit send to have Codex start work.118Use your voice to prompt Codex. Hold <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>M</kbd> while the composer is visible and start talking. Your voice will be transcribed. Edit the transcribed prompt or hit send to have Codex start work.

123 119 

124![Voice dictation indicator in the composer with a transcribed prompt](/images/codex/app/voice-dictation-light.webp) ![Voice dictation indicator in the composer with a transcribed prompt](/images/codex/app/voice-dictation-dark.webp)120![Voice dictation indicator in the composer with a transcribed prompt](/images/codex/app/voice-dictation-light.webp)

125 

126![Voice dictation indicator in the composer with a transcribed prompt](/images/codex/app/voice-dictation-light.webp) ![Voice dictation indicator in the composer with a transcribed prompt](/images/codex/app/voice-dictation-dark.webp)

127 121 

128## Floating pop-out window122## Floating pop-out window

129 123 

134You can also toggle the pop-out window to stay on top when you want it to remain128You can also toggle the pop-out window to stay on top when you want it to remain

135visible across your workflow.129visible across your workflow.

136 130 

137![Pop-out window preview in light mode](/images/codex/app/popover-light.webp) ![Pop-out window preview in light mode](/images/codex/app/popover-dark.webp)131![Pop-out window preview in light mode](/images/codex/app/popover-light.webp)

138 

139![Pop-out window preview in light mode](/images/codex/app/popover-light.webp) ![Pop-out window preview in light mode](/images/codex/app/popover-dark.webp)

140 132 

141---133---

142 134 

172opening separate projects or using worktrees rather than asking Codex to roam164opening separate projects or using worktrees rather than asking Codex to roam

173outside the project root.165outside the project root.

174 166 

175For details on how Codex handles sandboxing, check out the [security documentation](https://developers.openai.com/codex/security).167For a high-level overview, see [Sandboxing](https://developers.openai.com/codex/concepts/sandboxing). For

168configuration details, see the

169[agent approvals & security documentation](https://developers.openai.com/codex/agent-approvals-security).

176 170 

177## MCP support171## MCP support

178 172 

185 179 

186Codex ships with a first-party web search tool. For local tasks in the Codex IDE Extension, Codex180Codex ships with a first-party web search tool. For local tasks in the Codex IDE Extension, Codex

187enables web search by default and serves results from a web search cache. If you configure your181enables web search by default and serves results from a web search cache. If you configure your

188sandbox for [full access](https://developers.openai.com/codex/security), web search defaults to live results. See182sandbox for [full access](https://developers.openai.com/codex/agent-approvals-security), web search defaults to live results. See

189[Config basics](https://developers.openai.com/codex/config-basic) to disable web search or switch to live results that fetch the183[Config basics](https://developers.openai.com/codex/config-basic) to disable web search or switch to live results that fetch the

190most recent data.184most recent data.

191 185 

216- [Automations](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations)210- [Automations](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations)

217- [Local environments](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/local-environments)211- [Local environments](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/local-environments)

218- [Worktrees](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/worktrees)212- [Worktrees](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/worktrees)

219 

220[Previous

221 

222Overview](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app)[Next

223 

224Settings](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/settings)