app/features.md Codex Docs, 2026-03-05 18:41 UTC → 2026-04-22 18:29 UTC

3The 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,

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

5 5 

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

7Platform-specific exceptions are noted below.

8 

6---9---

7 10 

8## Multitask across projects11## Multitask across projects

14session in a specific directory.17session in a specific directory.

15 18 

16If 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

17distinct 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)

18only includes the files for that project.21only includes the files for that project.

19 22 

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

31 34 

32You 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

33such 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

34codebase changes.37codebase changes. For ongoing work that should stay in one thread, use a

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

35 39 

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

37 41 

85pressing <kbd>Cmd</kbd>+<kbd>J</kbd>.89pressing <kbd>Cmd</kbd>+<kbd>J</kbd>.

86 90 

87Use the terminal to validate changes, run scripts, and perform Git operations91Use the terminal to validate changes, run scripts, and perform Git operations

88without 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.

89 95 

90Common tasks include:96Common tasks include:

91 97 

128 134 

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

130 136 

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 

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

150 

151## Computer use

152 

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

154seeing, clicking, and typing. This is useful for testing desktop apps, checking

155browser or simulator flows, working with data sources that aren't available as

156plugins, changing app settings, and reproducing GUI-only bugs.

157 

158Because computer use can affect app and system state outside your project

159workspace, keep tasks narrow and review permission prompts before continuing.

160 

161The feature isn't available in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or

162Switzerland at launch.

163 

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

165 

166## Work with non-code artifacts

167 

168When a task produces non-code artifacts, the sidebar can preview PDF files,

169spreadsheets, documents, and presentations. Give Codex the source data, expected

170file type, structure, and review criteria you care about.

171 

172For spreadsheets and presentations, describe the sheets, columns, charts, slide

173sections, and checks that matter. Ask Codex to explain where it saved the output

174and how it checked the result.

175 

176Use the task sidebar to follow what Codex is doing while a thread runs. It can

177surface the agent's plan, sources, generated artifacts, and task summary so you

178can steer the work, inspect generated files, and decide what needs another pass.

179 

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

181 

131---182---

132 183 

133## Sync with the IDE extension184## Sync with the IDE extension

144If you're unsure whether the app includes context, toggle it off and ask the195If you're unsure whether the app includes context, toggle it off and ask the

145same question again to compare results.196same question again to compare results.

146 197 

198## Thread automations

199 

200Automations can also attach to a single thread. These thread automations are

201recurring wake-up calls that preserve the thread's context so Codex can check

202on long-running work, poll a source for new information, or continue a follow-up

203loop. Use them for heartbeat-style automations that should keep returning to the

204same conversation on a schedule.

205 

206Use a thread automation when the next run depends on the current conversation.

207Use a standalone or project [automation](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations) when you want

208Codex to start a fresh recurring task for one or more projects.

209 

147## Approvals and sandboxing210## Approvals and sandboxing

148 211 

149Your approval and sandbox settings constrain Codex actions.212Your approval and sandbox settings constrain Codex actions.

162opening separate projects or using worktrees rather than asking Codex to roam225opening separate projects or using worktrees rather than asking Codex to roam

163outside the project root.226outside the project root.

164 227 

165For details on how Codex handles sandboxing, check out the [security documentation](https://developers.openai.com/codex/security).228For a high-level overview, see [sandboxing](https://developers.openai.com/codex/concepts/sandboxing). For

229configuration details, see the

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

166 231 

167## MCP support232## MCP support

168 233 

173 238 

174## Web search239## Web search

175 240 

176Codex ships with a first-party web search tool. For local tasks in the Codex IDE Extension, Codex241Codex ships with a first-party web search tool. For local tasks in the Codex app, Codex

177enables web search by default and serves results from a web search cache. If you configure your242enables web search by default and serves results from a web search cache. If you configure your

178sandbox for [full access](https://developers.openai.com/codex/security), web search defaults to live results. See243sandbox for [full access](https://developers.openai.com/codex/agent-approvals-security), web search defaults to live results. See

179[Config basics](https://developers.openai.com/codex/config-basic) to disable web search or switch to live results that fetch the244[Config basics](https://developers.openai.com/codex/config-basic) to disable web search or switch to live results that fetch the

180most recent data.245most recent data.

181 246 

247## Image generation

248 

249Ask 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.

250 

251You can ask in natural language or explicitly invoke the image generation skill by including `$imagegen` in your prompt.

252 

253Built-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).

254 

255For 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.

256 

182## Image input257## Image input

183 258 

184You can drag and drop images into the prompt composer to include them as context. Hold down `Shift`259You can drag and drop images into the prompt composer to include them as context. Hold down `Shift`

187You can also ask Codex to view images on your system. By giving Codex tools to take screenshots of262You can also ask Codex to view images on your system. By giving Codex tools to take screenshots of

188the app you are working on, Codex can verify the work it's doing.263the app you are working on, Codex can verify the work it's doing.

189 264 

265## Chats

266 

267Chats are threads you can start when the task doesn't need a specific project

268folder or Git repository. Use them for research, triage, planning,

269plugin-heavy workflows, and other conversations where Codex should use connected

270tools instead of editing a codebase.

271 

272Chats use a Codex-managed `threads` directory under your Codex home as their

273working location. By default, that location is `~/.codex/threads`.

274 

275## Memories

276 

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

278from past tasks into future threads. They're most useful for stable preferences,

279project conventions, recurring work patterns, and known pitfalls that would

280otherwise need to repeat.

281 

190## Notifications282## Notifications

191 283 

192By default, the Codex app sends notifications when a task completes or needs approval while the app284By default, the Codex app sends notifications when a task completes or needs approval while the app

204 296 

205- [Settings](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/settings)297- [Settings](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/settings)

206- [Automations](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations)298- [Automations](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/automations)

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

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

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

207- [Local environments](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/local-environments)302- [Local environments](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/local-environments)

208- [Worktrees](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/worktrees)303- [Worktrees](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/worktrees)