cli/features.md Codex Docs, 2026-02-19 20:37 UTC → 2026-03-09 00:34 UTC

1# Codex CLI features1# Codex CLI features

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3Overview of functionality in the Codex terminal client

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5Codex supports workflows beyond chat. Use this guide to learn what each one unlocks and when to use it.3Codex supports workflows beyond chat. Use this guide to learn what each one unlocks and when to use it.

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7## Running in interactive mode5## Running in interactive mode

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23- Send prompts, code snippets, or screenshots (see [image inputs](#image-inputs)) directly into the composer.21- Send prompts, code snippets, or screenshots (see [image inputs](#image-inputs)) directly into the composer.

24- Watch Codex explain its plan before making a change, and approve or reject steps inline.22- Watch Codex explain its plan before making a change, and approve or reject steps inline.

23- Read syntax-highlighted markdown code blocks and diffs in the TUI, then use `/theme` to preview and save a preferred color theme.

24- Use `/clear` to wipe the terminal and start a fresh chat, or press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>L</kbd> to clear the screen without starting a new conversation.

25- Use `/copy` to copy the latest completed Codex output. If a turn is still running, Codex copies the most recent finished output instead of in-progress text.

25- Navigate draft history in the composer with <kbd>Up</kbd>/<kbd>Down</kbd>; Codex restores prior draft text and image placeholders.26- Navigate draft history in the composer with <kbd>Up</kbd>/<kbd>Down</kbd>; Codex restores prior draft text and image placeholders.

26- Press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd> or use `/exit` to close the interactive session when you're done.27- Press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd> or use `/exit` to close the interactive session when you're done.

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46## Models and reasoning47## Models and reasoning

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48For most coding tasks in Codex, `gpt-5.3-codex` is the go-to model. It’s available for ChatGPT-authenticated Codex sessions in the Codex app, CLI, IDE extension, and Codex Cloud. For extra fast tasks, ChatGPT Pro subscribers have access to the GPT-5.3-Codex-Spark model in research preview.49For most tasks in Codex, `gpt-5.4` is the recommended model. It brings the industry-leading coding capabilities of `gpt-5.3-codex` to OpenAI’s flagship frontier model, combining frontier coding performance with stronger reasoning, native computer use, and broader professional workflows. For extra fast tasks, ChatGPT Pro subscribers have access to the GPT-5.3-Codex-Spark model in research preview.

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50Switch models mid-session with the /model command, or specify one when launching the CLI.51Switch models mid-session with the `/model` command, or specify one when launching the CLI.

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52```bash53```bash

53codex --model gpt-5.3-codex54codex --model gpt-5.4

54```55```

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56[Learn more about the models available in Codex](https://developers.openai.com/codex/models).57[Learn more about the models available in Codex](https://developers.openai.com/codex/models).

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86Codex accepts common formats such as PNG and JPEG. Use comma-separated filenames for two or more images, and combine them with text instructions to add context.87Codex accepts common formats such as PNG and JPEG. Use comma-separated filenames for two or more images, and combine them with text instructions to add context.

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89## Syntax highlighting and themes

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91The TUI syntax-highlights fenced markdown code blocks and file diffs so code is easier to scan during reviews and debugging.

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93Use `/theme` to open the theme picker, preview themes live, and save your selection to `tui.theme` in `~/.codex/config.toml`. You can also add custom `.tmTheme` files under `$CODEX_HOME/themes` and select them in the picker.

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88## Running local code review95## Running local code review

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90Type `/review` in the CLI to open Codex's review presets. The CLI launches a dedicated reviewer that reads the diff you select and reports prioritized, actionable findings without touching your working tree. By default it uses the current session model; set `review_model` in `config.toml` to override.97Type `/review` in the CLI to open Codex's review presets. The CLI launches a dedicated reviewer that reads the diff you select and reports prioritized, actionable findings without touching your working tree. By default it uses the current session model; set `review_model` in `config.toml` to override.

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99## Web search106## Web search

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101Codex ships with a first-party web search tool. For local tasks in the Codex CLI, Codex enables web search by default and serves results from a web search cache. The cache is an OpenAI-maintained index of web results, so cached mode returns pre-indexed results instead of fetching live pages. This reduces exposure to prompt injection from arbitrary live content, but you should still treat web results as untrusted. If you are using `--yolo` or another [full access sandbox setting](https://developers.openai.com/codex/security), web search defaults to live results. To fetch the most recent data, pass `--search` for a single run or set `web_search = "live"` in [Config basics](https://developers.openai.com/codex/config-basic). You can also set `web_search = "disabled"` to turn the tool off.108Codex ships with a first-party web search tool. For local tasks in the Codex CLI, Codex enables web search by default and serves results from a web search cache. The cache is an OpenAI-maintained index of web results, so cached mode returns pre-indexed results instead of fetching live pages. This reduces exposure to prompt injection from arbitrary live content, but you should still treat web results as untrusted. If you are using `--yolo` or another [full access sandbox setting](https://developers.openai.com/codex/agent-approvals-security), web search defaults to live results. To fetch the most recent data, pass `--search` for a single run or set `web_search = "live"` in [Config basics](https://developers.openai.com/codex/config-basic). You can also set `web_search = "disabled"` to turn the tool off.

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103You'll see `web_search` items in the transcript or `codex exec --json` output whenever Codex looks something up.110You'll see `web_search` items in the transcript or `codex exec --json` output whenever Codex looks something up.

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192- Launch Codex from any directory using `codex --cd <path>` to set the working root without running `cd` first. The active path appears in the TUI header.199- Launch Codex from any directory using `codex --cd <path>` to set the working root without running `cd` first. The active path appears in the TUI header.

193- Expose more writable roots with `--add-dir` (for example, `codex --cd apps/frontend --add-dir ../backend --add-dir ../shared`) when you need to coordinate changes across more than one project.200- Expose more writable roots with `--add-dir` (for example, `codex --cd apps/frontend --add-dir ../backend --add-dir ../shared`) when you need to coordinate changes across more than one project.

194- Make sure your environment is already set up before launching Codex so it doesn't spend tokens probing what to activate. For example, source your Python virtual environment (or other language environments), start any required daemons, and export the environment variables you expect to use ahead of time.201- Make sure your environment is already set up before launching Codex so it doesn't spend tokens probing what to activate. For example, source your Python virtual environment (or other language environments), start any required daemons, and export the environment variables you expect to use ahead of time.

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196[Previous

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198Overview](https://developers.openai.com/codex/cli)[Next

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200Command Line Options](https://developers.openai.com/codex/cli/reference)