app/features.md Codex Docs, 2026-03-04 06:20 UTC → 2026-04-17 00:44 UTC

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

15 15 

16If 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

17distinct 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)

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

19 19 

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

31 31 

32You can also combine skills with [automations](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations) to perform routine tasks32You can also combine skills with [automations](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations) to perform routine tasks

33such 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

34codebase changes.34codebase changes. For ongoing work that should stay in one thread, use a

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

35 36 

36![Automation creation form with schedule and prompt fields](/images/codex/app/create-automation-light.webp)37![Automation creation form with schedule and prompt fields](/images/codex/app/create-automation-light.webp)

37 38 

85pressing <kbd>Cmd</kbd>+<kbd>J</kbd>.86pressing <kbd>Cmd</kbd>+<kbd>J</kbd>.

86 87 

87Use the terminal to validate changes, run scripts, and perform Git operations88Use the terminal to validate changes, run scripts, and perform Git operations

88without leaving the app.89without leaving the app. Codex can also read the current terminal output, so

90it can check the status of a running development server or refer back to a

91failed build while it works with you.

89 92 

90Common tasks include:93Common tasks include:

91 94 

101 104 

102![Integrated terminal drawer open beneath a Codex thread](/images/codex/app/integrated-terminal-light.webp)105![Integrated terminal drawer open beneath a Codex thread](/images/codex/app/integrated-terminal-light.webp)

103 106 

107## Native Windows sandbox

108 

109On Windows, Codex can run natively in PowerShell with a native Windows sandbox

110instead of requiring WSL or a virtual machine. This lets you stay in

111Windows-native workflows while keeping bounded permissions in place.

112 

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

114 

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

116 

104## Voice dictation117## Voice dictation

105 118 

106Use 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.119Use 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.

118 131 

119![Pop-out window preview in light mode](/images/codex/app/popover-light.webp)132![Pop-out window preview in light mode](/images/codex/app/popover-light.webp)

120 133 

134## In-app browser

135 

136Use the [in-app browser](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/browser) to preview, review, and comment on

137local development servers, file-backed previews, and public pages that don't

138require sign-in while you iterate on a web app.

139 

140The in-app browser doesn't support authentication flows, signed-in pages, your

141regular browser profile, cookies, extensions, or existing tabs.

142 

143Use browser comments to mark specific elements or areas on a page, then ask

144Codex to address that feedback.

145 

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

147 

148## Computer use

149 

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

151seeing, clicking, and typing. This is useful for testing desktop apps, checking

152browser or simulator flows, working with data sources that aren't available as

153plugins, changing app settings, and reproducing GUI-only bugs.

154 

155Because computer use can affect app and system state outside your project

156workspace, keep tasks narrow and review permission prompts before continuing.

157 

158The feature isn't available in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or

159Switzerland at launch.

160 

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

162 

163## Work with non-code artifacts

164 

165When a task produces non-code artifacts, the sidebar can preview PDF files,

166spreadsheets, documents, and presentations. Give Codex the source data, expected

167file type, structure, and review criteria you care about.

168 

169For spreadsheets and presentations, describe the sheets, columns, charts, slide

170sections, and checks that matter. Ask Codex to explain where it saved the output

171and how it checked the result.

172 

173Use the task sidebar to follow what Codex is doing while a thread runs. It can

174surface the agent's plan, sources, generated artifacts, and task summary so you

175can steer the work, inspect generated files, and decide what needs another pass.

176 

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

178 

121---179---

122 180 

123## Sync with the IDE extension181## Sync with the IDE extension

134If you're unsure whether the app includes context, toggle it off and ask the192If you're unsure whether the app includes context, toggle it off and ask the

135same question again to compare results.193same question again to compare results.

136 194 

195## Thread automations

196 

197Automations can also attach to a single thread. These thread automations are

198recurring wake-up calls that preserve the thread's context so Codex can check

199on long-running work, poll a source for new information, or continue a follow-up

200loop. Use them for heartbeat-style automations that should keep returning to the

201same conversation on a schedule.

202 

203Use a thread automation when the next run depends on the current conversation.

204Use a standalone or project [automation](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations) when you want

205Codex to start a fresh recurring task for one or more projects.

206 

137## Approvals and sandboxing207## Approvals and sandboxing

138 208 

139Your approval and sandbox settings constrain Codex actions.209Your approval and sandbox settings constrain Codex actions.

152opening separate projects or using worktrees rather than asking Codex to roam222opening separate projects or using worktrees rather than asking Codex to roam

153outside the project root.223outside the project root.

154 224 

155For details on how Codex handles sandboxing, check out the [security documentation](https://developers.openai.com/codex/security).225For a high-level overview, see [sandboxing](https://developers.openai.com/codex/concepts/sandboxing). For

226configuration details, see the

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

156 228 

157## MCP support229## MCP support

158 230 

163 235 

164## Web search236## Web search

165 237 

166Codex ships with a first-party web search tool. For local tasks in the Codex IDE Extension, Codex238Codex ships with a first-party web search tool. For local tasks in the Codex app, Codex

167enables web search by default and serves results from a web search cache. If you configure your239enables web search by default and serves results from a web search cache. If you configure your

168sandbox for [full access](https://developers.openai.com/codex/security), web search defaults to live results. See240sandbox for [full access](https://developers.openai.com/codex/agent-approvals-security), web search defaults to live results. See

169[Config basics](https://developers.openai.com/codex/config-basic) to disable web search or switch to live results that fetch the241[Config basics](https://developers.openai.com/codex/config-basic) to disable web search or switch to live results that fetch the

170most recent data.242most recent data.

171 243 

244## Image generation

245 

246Ask 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.

247 

248You can ask in natural language or explicitly invoke the image generation skill by including `$imagegen` in your prompt.

249 

250Built-in image generation uses `gpt-image-1.5`, 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).

251 

252For 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.

253 

172## Image input254## Image input

173 255 

174You can drag and drop images into the prompt composer to include them as context. Hold down `Shift`256You can drag and drop images into the prompt composer to include them as context. Hold down `Shift`

177You can also ask Codex to view images on your system. By giving Codex tools to take screenshots of259You can also ask Codex to view images on your system. By giving Codex tools to take screenshots of

178the app you are working on, Codex can verify the work it's doing.260the app you are working on, Codex can verify the work it's doing.

179 261 

262## Chats

263 

264Chats are threads you can start when the task doesn't need a specific project

265folder or Git repository. Use them for research, triage, planning,

266plugin-heavy workflows, and other conversations where Codex should use connected

267tools instead of editing a codebase.

268 

269Chats use a Codex-managed `threads` directory under your Codex home as their

270working location. By default, that location is `~/.codex/threads`.

271 

272## Memories

273 

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

275from past tasks into future threads. They're most useful for stable preferences,

276project conventions, recurring work patterns, and known pitfalls that would

277otherwise need to repeat.

278 

180## Notifications279## Notifications

181 280 

182By default, the Codex app sends notifications when a task completes or needs approval while the app281By default, the Codex app sends notifications when a task completes or needs approval while the app

194 293 

195- [Settings](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/settings)294- [Settings](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/settings)

196- [Automations](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations)295- [Automations](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations)

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

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

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

197- [Local environments](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/local-environments)299- [Local environments](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/local-environments)

198- [Worktrees](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/worktrees)300- [Worktrees](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/worktrees)