cli/features.md Codex Docs, 2026-04-13 00:44 UTC → 2026-04-23 00:46 UTC

22- 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 theme.23- Read syntax-highlighted markdown code blocks and diffs in the TUI, then use `/theme` to preview and save a preferred 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.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- Use `/copy` or press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>O</kbd> 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.

26- Press <kbd>Tab</kbd> while Codex is running to queue follow-up text, slash commands, or `!` shell commands for the next turn.

26- Navigate draft history in the composer with <kbd>Up</kbd>/<kbd>Down</kbd>; Codex restores prior draft text and image placeholders.27- Navigate draft history in the composer with <kbd>Up</kbd>/<kbd>Down</kbd>; Codex restores prior draft text and image placeholders.

28- Press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>R</kbd> to search prompt history from the composer, then press <kbd>Enter</kbd> to accept a match or <kbd>Esc</kbd> to cancel.

27- Press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd> or use `/exit` to close the interactive session when you're done.29- Press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd> or use `/exit` to close the interactive session when you're done.

28 30 

29## Resuming conversations31## Resuming conversations

154 156 

155Codex 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.157Codex 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.

156 158 

159## Image generation

160 

161Ask Codex to generate or edit images directly in the CLI. This works well for assets such as icons, banners, illustrations, sprite sheets, and placeholder art. If you want Codex to transform or extend an existing asset, attach a reference image with your prompt.

162 

163You can ask in natural language or explicitly invoke the image generation skill by including `$imagegen` in your prompt.

164 

165Built-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).

166 

167For 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.

168 

157## Syntax highlighting and themes169## Syntax highlighting and themes

158 170 

159The TUI syntax-highlights fenced markdown code blocks and file diffs so code is easier to scan during reviews and debugging.171The TUI syntax-highlights fenced markdown code blocks and file diffs so code is easier to scan during reviews and debugging.

261## Tips and shortcuts273## Tips and shortcuts

262 274 

263- Type `@` in the composer to open a fuzzy file search over the workspace root; press <kbd>Tab</kbd> or <kbd>Enter</kbd> to drop the highlighted path into your message.275- Type `@` in the composer to open a fuzzy file search over the workspace root; press <kbd>Tab</kbd> or <kbd>Enter</kbd> to drop the highlighted path into your message.

264- Press `Enter` while Codex is running to inject new instructions into the current turn, or press `Tab` to queue a follow-up prompt for the next turn.276- Press <kbd>Enter</kbd> while Codex is running to inject new instructions into the current turn, or press <kbd>Tab</kbd> to queue follow-up input for the next turn. Queued input can be a normal prompt, a slash command such as `/review`, or a `!` shell command. Codex parses queued slash commands when they run.

265- Prefix a line with `!` to run a local shell command (for example, `!ls`). Codex treats the output like a user-provided command result and still applies your approval and sandbox settings.277- Prefix a line with `!` to run a local shell command (for example, `!ls`). Codex treats the output like a user-provided command result and still applies your approval and sandbox settings.

266- Tap <kbd>Esc</kbd> twice while the composer is empty to edit your previous user message. Continue pressing <kbd>Esc</kbd> to walk further back in the transcript, then hit <kbd>Enter</kbd> to fork from that point.278- Tap <kbd>Esc</kbd> twice while the composer is empty to edit your previous user message. Continue pressing <kbd>Esc</kbd> to walk further back in the transcript, then hit <kbd>Enter</kbd> to fork from that point.

267- 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.279- 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.