app/windows.md Codex Docs, 2026-03-07 06:14 UTC → 2026-04-21 18:29 UTC

1# Windows1# Windows

2 2 

3The [Codex app for Windows](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9plm9xgg6vks?hl=en-US&gl=US) gives you one interface for3The [Codex app for Windows](https://get.microsoft.com/installer/download/9PLM9XGG6VKS?cid=website_cta_psi) gives you one interface for

4working across projects, running parallel agent threads, and reviewing results.4working across projects, running parallel agent threads, and reviewing results.

5The Windows app supports core workflows such as worktrees, automations, Git

6functionality, the in-app browser, artifact previews, plugins, and skills.

5It runs natively on Windows using PowerShell and the7It runs natively on Windows using PowerShell and the

6[Windows sandbox](https://developers.openai.com/codex/windows#windows-sandbox), or you can configure it to8[Windows sandbox](https://developers.openai.com/codex/windows#windows-sandbox), or you can configure it to

7run in [Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)](#windows-subsystem-for-linux-wsl).9run in [Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2)](#windows-subsystem-for-linux-wsl).

8 10 

9![Codex app for Windows showing a project sidebar, active thread, and review pane](/images/codex/windows/codex-windows-light.webp)11![Codex app for Windows showing a project sidebar, active thread, and review pane](/images/codex/windows/codex-windows-light.webp)

10 12 

11## Download and update the Codex app13## Download and update the Codex app

12 14 

13Download the Codex app from the15Download the Codex app from the

14[Microsoft Store](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9plm9xgg6vks?hl=en-US&gl=US).16[Microsoft Store](https://get.microsoft.com/installer/download/9PLM9XGG6VKS?cid=website_cta_psi).

15 17 

16Then follow the [quickstart](https://developers.openai.com/codex/quickstart?setup=app) to get started.18Then follow the [quickstart](https://developers.openai.com/codex/quickstart?setup=app) to get started.

17 19 

28winget install Codex -s msstore30winget install Codex -s msstore

29```31```

30 32 

33## Native sandbox

34 

35The Codex app on Windows supports a native [Windows sandbox](https://developers.openai.com/codex/windows#windows-sandbox) when the agent runs in PowerShell, and uses Linux sandboxing when you run the agent in [Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2)](#windows-subsystem-for-linux-wsl). To apply sandbox protections in either mode, set sandbox permissions to **Default permissions** in the Composer before sending messages to Codex.

36 

37Running Codex in full access mode means Codex is not limited to your project

38 directory and might perform unintentional destructive actions that can lead to

39 data loss. Keep sandbox boundaries in place and use [rules](https://developers.openai.com/codex/rules) for

40 targeted exceptions, or set your [approval policy to

41 never](https://developers.openai.com/codex/agent-approvals-security#run-without-approval-prompts) to have

42 Codex attempt to solve problems without asking for escalated permissions,

43 based on your [approval and security setup](https://developers.openai.com/codex/agent-approvals-security).

44 

31## Customize for your dev setup45## Customize for your dev setup

32 46 

33### Preferred editor47### Preferred editor

59 73 

60By default, the Codex app uses the Windows-native agent. That means the agent74By default, the Codex app uses the Windows-native agent. That means the agent

61runs commands in PowerShell. The app can still work with projects that live in75runs commands in PowerShell. The app can still work with projects that live in

62Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) by using the `wsl` CLI when needed.76Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) by using the `wsl` CLI when needed.

63 77 

64If you want to add a project from the WSL filesystem, click **Add new project**78If you want to add a project from the WSL filesystem, click **Add new project**

65or press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>O</kbd>, then type `\\wsl$\` into the File79or press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>O</kbd>, then type `\\wsl$\` into the File

71`/mnt/<drive>/...`. This setup is more reliable than opening projects85`/mnt/<drive>/...`. This setup is more reliable than opening projects

72directly from the WSL filesystem.86directly from the WSL filesystem.

73 87 

74If you want the agent itself to run in WSL, open **[Settings](codex://settings)**,88If you want the agent itself to run in WSL2, open **[Settings](codex://settings)**,

75switch the agent from Windows native to WSL, and **restart the app**. The89switch the agent from Windows native to WSL, and **restart the app**. The

76change doesn't take effect until you restart. Your projects should remain in90change doesn't take effect until you restart. Your projects should remain in

77place after restart.91place after restart.

78 92 

93WSL1 was supported through Codex `0.114`. Starting in Codex `0.115`, the Linux

94sandbox moved to `bubblewrap`, so WSL1 is no longer supported.

95 

79![Codex app settings showing the agent selector with Windows native and WSL options](/images/codex/windows/wsl-select-light.webp)96![Codex app settings showing the agent selector with Windows native and WSL options](/images/codex/windows/wsl-select-light.webp)

80 97 

81You configure the integrated terminal independently from the agent. See98You configure the integrated terminal independently from the agent. See

169`%USERPROFILE%\.codex`.186`%USERPROFILE%\.codex`.

170 187 

171If you also run the Codex CLI inside WSL, the CLI uses the Linux home188If you also run the Codex CLI inside WSL, the CLI uses the Linux home

172directory by default, so it does not automatically share configuration, cached189directory by default, so it doesn't automatically share configuration, cached

173auth, or session history with the Windows app.190auth, or session history with the Windows app.

174 191 

175To share them, use one of these approaches:192To share them, use one of these approaches:

191 208 

192### Git isn't detected for projects opened from `\\wsl$`209### Git isn't detected for projects opened from `\\wsl$`

193 210 

194For now, if you want to use the Windows-native agent with a project that is211For now, if you want to use the Windows-native agent with a project also

195also accessible from WSL, the most reliable workaround is to store the project212accessible from WSL, the most reliable workaround is to store the project

196on the native Windows drive and access it in WSL through `/mnt/<drive>/...`.213on the native Windows drive and access it in WSL through `/mnt/<drive>/...`.

197 214 

198### Cmder is not listed in the open dialog215### `Cmder` isn't listed in the open dialog

199 216 

200If Cmder is installed but doesn’t show in Codex’s open dialog, add it to the217If `Cmder` is installed but doesn't show in Codex's open dialog, add it to the

201Windows Start Menu: right-click Cmder and choose **Add to Start**, then restart218Windows Start Menu: right-click `Cmder` and choose **Add to Start**, then

202Codex or reboot.219restart Codex or reboot.