cli/features.md Codex Docs, 2026-04-16 18:31 UTC → 2026-05-12 01:59 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

105 107 

106## Models and reasoning108## Models and reasoning

107 109 

108For most tasks in Codex, `gpt-5.4` is the recommended model. It brings the110For most tasks in Codex, `gpt-5.5` is the recommended model when it is

109industry-leading coding capabilities of `gpt-5.3-codex` to OpenAI’s flagship111available. It is OpenAI's newest frontier model for complex coding, computer

110frontier model, combining frontier coding performance with stronger reasoning,112use, knowledge work, and research workflows, with stronger planning, tool use,

111native computer use, and broader professional workflows. For extra fast tasks,113and follow-through on multi-step tasks. If `gpt-5.5` is not yet available,

112ChatGPT Pro subscribers have access to the GPT-5.3-Codex-Spark model in114continue using `gpt-5.4`. For extra fast tasks, ChatGPT Pro subscribers have

113research preview.115access to the GPT-5.3-Codex-Spark model in research preview.

114 116 

115Switch models mid-session with the `/model` command, or specify one when launching the CLI.117Switch models mid-session with the `/model` command, or specify one when launching the CLI.

116 118 

117```bash119```bash

118codex --model gpt-5.4120codex --model gpt-5.5

119```121```

120 122 

121[Learn more about the models available in Codex](https://developers.openai.com/codex/models).123[Learn more about the models available in Codex](https://developers.openai.com/codex/models).

160 162 

161You can ask in natural language or explicitly invoke the image generation skill by including `$imagegen` in your prompt.163You can ask in natural language or explicitly invoke the image generation skill by including `$imagegen` in your prompt.

162 164 

163Built-in image generation uses `gpt-image-1.5`, 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).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).

164 166 

165For 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.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.

166 168 

252 254 

253## Slash commands255## Slash commands

254 256 

255Slash commands give you quick access to specialized workflows like `/review`, `/fork`, or your own reusable prompts. Codex ships with a curated set of built-ins, and you can create custom ones for team-specific tasks or personal shortcuts.257Slash commands give you quick access to specialized workflows like `/review`, `/fork`, `/side`, or your own reusable prompts. Codex ships with a curated set of built-ins, and you can create custom ones for team-specific tasks or personal shortcuts.

256 258 

257See the [slash commands guide](https://developers.openai.com/codex/guides/slash-commands) to browse the catalog of built-ins, learn how to author custom commands, and understand where they live on disk.259See the [slash commands guide](https://developers.openai.com/codex/guides/slash-commands) to browse the catalog of built-ins, learn how to author custom commands, and understand where they live on disk.

258 260 

271## Tips and shortcuts273## Tips and shortcuts

272 274 

273- 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.

274- 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.

275- 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.

276- 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.

277- 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.