app/features diff

app/features.md +128 −39

Details

1# Codex app features1# Codex app features

2 2

~~3What you can do with the Codex app~~

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

6Most Codex app features are available on both macOS and Windows.

7The sections below note platform-specific exceptions.

8---9---

9 10

10## Multitask across projects11## Multitask across projects

16session in a specific directory.17session in a specific directory.

17 18

18If you work in a single repository with two or more apps or packages, split19If 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)~~20distinct projects into separate app projects so the [sandbox](https://developers.openai.com/codex/agent-approvals-security)

20only includes the files for that project.21only includes the files for that project.

21 22

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

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 24

26## Skills support25## Skills support

27 26

29IDE Extension. You can also view and explore new skills that your team has28IDE Extension. You can also view and explore new skills that your team has

30created across your different projects by clicking Skills in the sidebar.29created across your different projects by clicking Skills in the sidebar.

31 30

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

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 32

36## Automations33## Automations

37 34

38You can also combine skills with [automations](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations) to perform routine tasks35You can also combine skills with [automations](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations) to perform routine tasks

39such as evaluating errors in your telemetry and submitting fixes or creating reports on recent36such as evaluating errors in your telemetry and submitting fixes or creating reports on recent

~~40codebase changes.~~37codebase changes. For ongoing work that should stay in one thread, use a

41 38[thread automation](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations#thread-automations).

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)

43 39

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

45 41

46## Modes42## Modes

47 43

55 51

56For the full glossary and concepts, explore the [concepts section](https://developers.openai.com/codex/prompting).52For the full glossary and concepts, explore the [concepts section](https://developers.openai.com/codex/prompting).

57 53

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

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 55

62## Built-in Git tools56## Built-in Git tools

63 57

71 65

72For more advanced Git tasks, use the [integrated terminal](#integrated-terminal).66For more advanced Git tasks, use the [integrated terminal](#integrated-terminal).

73 67

~~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)~~68![Git diff and commit panel with a commit message field](/images/codex/app/git-commit-light.webp)

~~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 69

78## Worktree support70## Worktree support

79 71

88 80

89[Learn more about using worktrees in the Codex app.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/worktrees)81[Learn more about using worktrees in the Codex app.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/worktrees)

90 82

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

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 84

95## Integrated terminal85## Integrated terminal

96 86

99pressing <kbd>Cmd</kbd>+<kbd>J</kbd>.89pressing <kbd>Cmd</kbd>+<kbd>J</kbd>.

100 90

101Use the terminal to validate changes, run scripts, and perform Git operations91Use the terminal to validate changes, run scripts, and perform Git operations

102without leaving the app.92without leaving the app. Codex can also read the current terminal output, so

93it can check the status of a running development server or refer back to a

94failed build while it works with you.

103 95

104Common tasks include:96Common tasks include:

105 97

113Note that <kbd>Cmd</kbd>+<kbd>K</kbd> opens the command palette in the Codex105Note 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>.106app. It doesn't clear the terminal. To clear the terminal use <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>L</kbd>.

115 107

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

109

110## Native Windows sandbox

111

112On Windows, Codex can run natively in PowerShell with a native Windows sandbox

113instead of requiring WSL or a virtual machine. This lets you stay in

114Windows-native workflows while keeping bounded permissions in place.

115

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

117 117

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

119 119

120## Voice dictation120## Voice dictation

121 121

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.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.

123 123

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)124![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)

127 125

128## Floating pop-out window126## Floating pop-out window

129 127

134You can also toggle the pop-out window to stay on top when you want it to remain132You can also toggle the pop-out window to stay on top when you want it to remain

135visible across your workflow.133visible across your workflow.

136 134

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

136

137## In-app browser

138

139Use the [in-app browser](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/browser) to preview, review, and comment on

140local development servers, file-backed previews, and public pages that don't

141require sign-in while you iterate on a web app.

142

143The in-app browser doesn't support authentication flows, signed-in pages, your

144regular browser profile, cookies, extensions, or existing tabs.

145

146Use browser comments to mark specific elements or areas on a page, then ask

147Codex to address that feedback.

148

149When you want Codex to operate the page directly, use

150[browser use](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/browser#browser-use) for local development servers and

151file-backed pages. You can manage the Browser plugin, allowed websites, and

152blocked websites from settings.

153

154![Codex app showing a browser comment on a local web app preview](/images/codex/app/in-app-browser-light.webp)

155

156## Computer use

157

158[Computer use](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/computer-use) helps Codex operate a macOS app by

159seeing, clicking, and typing. This is useful for testing desktop apps, checking

160browser or simulator flows, working with data sources that aren't available as

161plugins, changing app settings, and reproducing GUI-only bugs.

162

163Because computer use can affect app and system state outside your project

164workspace, keep tasks narrow and review permission prompts before continuing.

165

166The feature isn't available in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or

167Switzerland at launch.

138 168

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)169![Codex app asking for permission to use Calculator with computer use](/images/codex/app/computer-use-approval-light.webp)

170

171## Work with non-code artifacts

172

173When a task produces non-code artifacts, the sidebar can preview PDF files,

174spreadsheets, documents, and presentations. Give Codex the source data, expected

175file type, structure, and review criteria you care about.

176

177For spreadsheets and presentations, describe the sheets, columns, charts, slide

178sections, and checks that matter. Ask Codex to explain where it saved the output

179and how it checked the result.

180

181Use the task sidebar to follow what Codex is doing while a thread runs. It can

182surface the agent's plan, sources, generated artifacts, and task summary so you

183can steer the work, inspect generated files, and decide what needs another pass.

184

185![Codex app showing a generated presentation in the artifact viewer](/images/codex/app/artifact-viewer-light.webp)

140 186

141---187---

142 188

154If you're unsure whether the app includes context, toggle it off and ask the200If you're unsure whether the app includes context, toggle it off and ask the

155same question again to compare results.201same question again to compare results.

156 202

203## Thread automations

204

205Automations can also attach to a single thread. These thread automations are

206recurring wake-up calls that preserve the thread's context so Codex can check

207on long-running work, poll a source for new information, or continue a follow-up

208loop. Use them for heartbeat-style automations that should keep returning to the

209same conversation on a schedule.

210

211Use a thread automation when the next run depends on the current conversation.

212Use a standalone or project [automation](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations) when you want

213Codex to start a fresh recurring task for one or more projects.

214

157## Approvals and sandboxing215## Approvals and sandboxing

158 216

159Your approval and sandbox settings constrain Codex actions.217Your approval and sandbox settings constrain Codex actions.

172opening separate projects or using worktrees rather than asking Codex to roam230opening separate projects or using worktrees rather than asking Codex to roam

173outside the project root.231outside the project root.

174 232

175For details on how Codex handles sandboxing, check out the [security documentation](https://developers.openai.com/codex/security).233If [automatic review](https://developers.openai.com/codex/agent-approvals-security#automatic-approval-reviews)

234is available in your workspace, you can choose it from the permissions selector.

235It keeps the same sandbox boundary but routes eligible approval requests through

236the configured review policy instead of waiting for you.

237

238For a high-level overview, see [sandboxing](https://developers.openai.com/codex/concepts/sandboxing). For

239configuration details, see the

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

176 241

177## MCP support242## MCP support

178 243

183 248

184## Web search249## Web search

185 250

186Codex ships with a first-party web search tool. For local tasks in the Codex IDE Extension, Codex251Codex ships with a first-party web search tool. For local tasks in the Codex app, Codex

187enables web search by default and serves results from a web search cache. If you configure your252enables 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. See253sandbox 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 the254[Config basics](https://developers.openai.com/codex/config-basic) to disable web search or switch to live results that fetch the

190most recent data.255most recent data.

191 256

257## Image generation

258

259Ask Codex to generate or edit images directly in a thread. This is useful for UI assets, banners, backgrounds, illustrations, sprite sheets, and placeholders you want to create alongside code. Add a reference image when you want Codex to transform or extend an existing asset.

260

261You can ask in natural language or explicitly invoke the image generation skill by including `$imagegen` in your prompt.

262

263Built-in image generation uses `gpt-image-2`, counts toward your general Codex usage limits, and uses included limits 3-5x faster on average than similar turns without image generation, depending on image quality and size. For details, see [Pricing](https://developers.openai.com/codex/pricing#image-generation-usage-limits). For prompting tips and model details, see the [image generation guide](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/image-generation).

264

265For larger batches of image generation, set `OPENAI_API_KEY` in your environment variables and ask Codex to generate images through the API so API pricing applies instead.

266

192## Image input267## Image input

193 268

194You can drag and drop images into the prompt composer to include them as context. Hold down `Shift`269You can drag and drop images into the prompt composer to include them as context. Hold down `Shift`

197You can also ask Codex to view images on your system. By giving Codex tools to take screenshots of272You can also ask Codex to view images on your system. By giving Codex tools to take screenshots of

198the app you are working on, Codex can verify the work it's doing.273the app you are working on, Codex can verify the work it's doing.

199 274

275## Chats

276

277Chats are threads you can start when the task doesn't need a specific project

278folder or Git repository. Use them for research, triage, planning,

279plugin-heavy workflows, and other conversations where Codex should use connected

280tools instead of editing a codebase.

281

282Chats use a Codex-managed `threads` directory under your Codex home as their

283working location. By default, that location is `~/.codex/threads`.

284

285## Memories

286

287[Memories](https://developers.openai.com/codex/memories), where available, let Codex carry useful context

288from past tasks into future threads. They're most useful for stable preferences,

289project conventions, recurring work patterns, and known pitfalls that would

290otherwise need to repeat.

291

200## Notifications292## Notifications

201 293

202By default, the Codex app sends notifications when a task completes or needs approval while the app294By default, the Codex app sends notifications when a task completes or needs approval while the app

214 306

215- [Settings](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/settings)307- [Settings](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/settings)

216- [Automations](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations)308- [Automations](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations)

309- [In-app browser](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/browser)

310- [Computer use](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/computer-use)

311- [Review pane](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/review)

217- [Local environments](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/local-environments)312- [Local environments](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/local-environments)

218- [Worktrees](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/worktrees)313- [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)

app/features.md Codex Docs, 2026-02-19 20:37 UTC → 2026-05-02 00:48 UTC