ide.md Codex Docs, 2026-02-19 20:37 UTC → 2026-05-02 00:48 UTC

1# Codex IDE extension1# Codex IDE extension

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3Pair with Codex in your IDE

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5Codex is OpenAI's coding agent that can read, edit, and run code. It helps you build faster, squash bugs, and understand unfamiliar code. With the Codex VS Code extension, you can use Codex side by side in your IDE or delegate tasks to Codex Cloud.3Codex is OpenAI's coding agent that can read, edit, and run code. It helps you build faster, squash bugs, and understand unfamiliar code. With the Codex VS Code extension, you can use Codex side by side in your IDE or delegate tasks to Codex Cloud.

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7ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, Edu, and Enterprise plans include Codex. Learn more about [what's included](https://developers.openai.com/codex/pricing).5ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, Edu, and Enterprise plans include Codex. Learn more about [what's included](https://developers.openai.com/codex/pricing).

18- [Download for Visual Studio Code Insiders](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=openai.chatgpt)16- [Download for Visual Studio Code Insiders](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=openai.chatgpt)

19- [Download for JetBrains IDEs](#jetbrains-ide-integration)17- [Download for JetBrains IDEs](#jetbrains-ide-integration)

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21The Codex VS Code extension is available on macOS and Linux. Windows support19Codex IDE integrations for VS Code-compatible editors and JetBrains IDEs are

22is experimental. For the best Windows experience, use Codex in a WSL workspace20 available on macOS, Windows, and Linux. On Windows, run Codex natively with

23and follow our [Windows setup guide](https://developers.openai.com/codex/windows).21 the Windows sandbox, or use WSL2 when you need a Linux-native environment. For

22setup details, see the [Windows setup guide](https://developers.openai.com/codex/windows).

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25After you install it, you’ll find the extension in your left sidebar next to your other extensions.24After you install it, you'll find Codex in your editor sidebar.

25In VS Code, Codex opens in the right sidebar by default.

26If you're using VS Code, restart the editor if you don't see Codex right away.26If you're using VS Code, restart the editor if you don't see Codex right away.

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28If you're using Cursor, the activity bar displays horizontally by default. Collapsed items can hide Codex, so you can pin it and reorganize the order of the extensions.28If you're using Cursor, the activity bar displays horizontally by default. Collapsed items can hide Codex, so you can pin it and reorganize the order of the extensions.

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38### Move Codex to the right sidebar38### Move Codex to the right sidebar

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40In VS Code, you can drag the Codex icon to the right of your editor to move it to the right sidebar.40In VS Code, Codex appears in the right sidebar automatically.

41If you prefer it in the primary (left) sidebar, drag the Codex icon back to the left activity bar.

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42In some IDEs, like Cursor, you may need to temporarily change the activity bar orientation first:43In VS Code forks like Cursor, you may need to move Codex to the right sidebar manually.

44To do that, you may need to temporarily change the activity bar orientation first:

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441. Open your editor settings and search for `activity bar` (in Workbench settings).461. Open your editor settings and search for `activity bar` (in Workbench settings).

452. Change the orientation to `vertical`.472. Change the orientation to `vertical`.

50Now drag the Codex icon to the right sidebar (for example, next to your Cursor chat). Codex appears as another tab in the sidebar.52Now drag the Codex icon to the right sidebar (for example, next to your Cursor chat). Codex appears as another tab in the sidebar.

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52After you move it, reset the activity bar orientation to `horizontal` to restore the default behavior.54After you move it, reset the activity bar orientation to `horizontal` to restore the default behavior.

55If you change your mind later, you can drag Codex back to the primary (left) sidebar at any time.

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54### Sign in57### Sign in

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66To see all available commands and bind them as keyboard shortcuts, select the settings icon in the Codex chat and select **Keyboard shortcuts**.69To see all available commands and bind them as keyboard shortcuts, select the settings icon in the Codex chat and select **Keyboard shortcuts**.

67You can also refer to the [Codex IDE extension commands](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/commands) page.70You can also refer to the [Codex IDE extension commands](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/commands) page.

68For a list of supported slash commands, see [Codex IDE extension slash commands](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/slash-commands).71For a list of supported slash commands, see [Codex IDE extension slash commands](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/slash-commands).

72If you're new to Codex, read the [best practices guide](https://developers.openai.com/codex/learn/best-practices).

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70---74---

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78Use the default model or switch to other models to leverage their respective strengths.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/features#switch-between-models)[### Adjust reasoning effort82Use the default model or switch to other models to leverage their respective strengths.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/features#switch-between-models)[### Adjust reasoning effort

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80Choose `low`, `medium`, or `high` to trade off speed and depth based on the task.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/features#adjust-reasoning-effort)[### Choose an approval mode84Choose `low`, `medium`, or `high` to trade off speed and depth based on the task.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/features#adjust-reasoning-effort)[### Image generation

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86Generate or edit images without leaving your editor, and use reference assets when you need iteration.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/features#image-generation)[### Choose an approval mode

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82Switch between `Chat`, `Agent`, and `Agent (Full Access)` depending on how much autonomy you want Codex to have.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/features#choose-an-approval-mode)[### Delegate to the cloud88Switch between `Chat`, `Agent`, and `Agent (Full Access)` depending on how much autonomy you want Codex to have.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/features#choose-an-approval-mode)[### Delegate to the cloud

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90Use slash commands to control how Codex behaves and quickly change common settings from chat.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/slash-commands)[### Extension settings96Use slash commands to control how Codex behaves and quickly change common settings from chat.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/slash-commands)[### Extension settings

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92Tune Codex to your workflow with editor settings for models, approvals, and other defaults.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/settings)98Tune Codex to your workflow with editor settings for models, approvals, and other defaults.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/settings)

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94[Next

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96Features](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/features)