app/windows.md Codex Docs, 2026-04-07 00:40 UTC → 2026-04-20 18:26 UTC

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 

30 30 

31## Native sandbox31## Native sandbox

32 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 (WSL)](#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.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 34 

35Running Codex in full access mode means Codex is not limited to your project35Running Codex in full access mode means Codex is not limited to your project

36 directory and might perform unintentional destructive actions that can lead to36 directory and might perform unintentional destructive actions that can lead to

71 71 

72By 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

73runs 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

74Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) by using the `wsl` CLI when needed.74Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2) by using the `wsl` CLI when needed.

75 75 

76If 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**

77or 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

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

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

85 85 

86If 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)**,

87switch the agent from Windows native to WSL, and **restart the app**. The87switch the agent from Windows native to WSL, and **restart the app**. The

88change doesn't take effect until you restart. Your projects should remain in88change doesn't take effect until you restart. Your projects should remain in

89place after restart.89place after restart.

90 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 

91![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)

92 95 

93You configure the integrated terminal independently from the agent. See96You configure the integrated terminal independently from the agent. See

181`%USERPROFILE%\.codex`.184`%USERPROFILE%\.codex`.

182 185 

183If 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

184directory by default, so it does not automatically share configuration, cached187directory by default, so it doesn't automatically share configuration, cached

185auth, or session history with the Windows app.188auth, or session history with the Windows app.

186 189 

187To share them, use one of these approaches:190To share them, use one of these approaches:

203 206 

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

205 208 

206For 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

207also accessible from WSL, the most reliable workaround is to store the project210accessible from WSL, the most reliable workaround is to store the project

208on 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>/...`.

209 212 

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

211 214 

212If 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

213Windows Start Menu: right-click Cmder and choose **Add to Start**, then restart216Windows Start Menu: right-click `Cmder` and choose **Add to Start**, then

214Codex or reboot.217restart Codex or reboot.