app/features.md Codex Docs, 2026-03-05 18:41 UTC → 2026-04-25 06:37 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.

7The sections below note platform-specific exceptions.

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 

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.

168 

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)

186 

131---187---

132 188 

133## Sync with the IDE extension189## Sync with the IDE extension

144If 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

145same question again to compare results.201same question again to compare results.

146 202 

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 

147## Approvals and sandboxing215## Approvals and sandboxing

148 216 

149Your approval and sandbox settings constrain Codex actions.217Your approval and sandbox settings constrain Codex actions.

162opening separate projects or using worktrees rather than asking Codex to roam230opening separate projects or using worktrees rather than asking Codex to roam

163outside the project root.231outside the project root.

164 232 

165For 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).

166 241 

167## MCP support242## MCP support

168 243 

173 248 

174## Web search249## Web search

175 250 

176Codex 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

177enables 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

178sandbox 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

179[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

180most recent data.255most recent data.

181 256 

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 

182## Image input267## Image input

183 268 

184You 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`

187You 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

188the 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.

189 274 

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 

190## Notifications292## Notifications

191 293 

192By 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

204 306 

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

206- [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)

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

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