app/windows.md Codex Docs, 2026-03-08 18:10 UTC → 2026-04-20 06:53 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.

5It runs natively on Windows using PowerShell and the5It runs natively on Windows using PowerShell and the

6[Windows sandbox](https://developers.openai.com/codex/windows#windows-sandbox), or you can configure it to6[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).7run in [Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2)](#windows-subsystem-for-linux-wsl).

8 8 

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

10 10 

11## Download and update the Codex app11## Download and update the Codex app

12 12 

13Download the Codex app from the13Download the Codex app from the

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

15 15 

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

17 17 

28winget install Codex -s msstore28winget install Codex -s msstore

29```29```

30 30 

31## Native sandbox

32 

33The 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.

34 

35Running Codex in full access mode means Codex is not limited to your project

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

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

38 targeted exceptions, or set your [approval policy to

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

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

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

42 

31## Customize for your dev setup43## Customize for your dev setup

32 44 

33### Preferred editor45### Preferred editor

59 71 

60By default, the Codex app uses the Windows-native agent. That means the agent72By 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 in73runs 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.74Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) by using the `wsl` CLI when needed.

63 75 

64If you want to add a project from the WSL filesystem, click **Add new project**76If 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$\` into the File77or press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>O</kbd>, then type `\\wsl$\` into the File

71`/mnt/<drive>/...`. This setup is more reliable than opening projects83`/mnt/<drive>/...`. This setup is more reliable than opening projects

72directly from the WSL filesystem.84directly from the WSL filesystem.

73 85 

74If you want the agent itself to run in WSL, open **[Settings](codex://settings)**,86If 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**. The87switch the agent from Windows native to WSL, and **restart the app**. The

76change doesn't take effect until you restart. Your projects should remain in88change doesn't take effect until you restart. Your projects should remain in

77place after restart.89place after restart.

78 90 

91WSL1 was supported through Codex `0.114`. Starting in Codex `0.115`, the Linux

92sandbox moved to `bubblewrap`, so WSL1 is no longer supported.

93 

79![Codex app settings showing the agent selector with Windows native and WSL options](/images/codex/windows/wsl-select-light.webp)94![Codex app settings showing the agent selector with Windows native and WSL options](/images/codex/windows/wsl-select-light.webp)

80 95 

81You configure the integrated terminal independently from the agent. See96You configure the integrated terminal independently from the agent. See

169`%USERPROFILE%\.codex`.184`%USERPROFILE%\.codex`.

170 185 

171If you also run the Codex CLI inside WSL, the CLI uses the Linux home186If you also run the Codex CLI inside WSL, the CLI uses the Linux home

172directory by default, so it does not automatically share configuration, cached187directory by default, so it doesn't automatically share configuration, cached

173auth, or session history with the Windows app.188auth, or session history with the Windows app.

174 189 

175To share them, use one of these approaches:190To share them, use one of these approaches:

191 206 

192### Git isn't detected for projects opened from `\\wsl$`207### Git isn't detected for projects opened from `\\wsl$`

193 208 

194For now, if you want to use the Windows-native agent with a project that is209For 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 project210accessible from WSL, the most reliable workaround is to store the project

196on the native Windows drive and access it in WSL through `/mnt/<drive>/...`.211on the native Windows drive and access it in WSL through `/mnt/<drive>/...`.

197 212 

198### Cmder is not listed in the open dialog213### `Cmder` isn't listed in the open dialog

199 214 

200If Cmder is installed but doesn’t show in Codex’s open dialog, add it to the215If `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 restart216Windows Start Menu: right-click `Cmder` and choose **Add to Start**, then

202Codex or reboot.217restart Codex or reboot.