ide.md Codex Docs, 2026-02-19 20:37 UTC → 2026-05-13 00:57 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).

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7<YouTubeEmbed

8 title="Codex IDE extension overview"

9 videoId="sd21Igx4HtA"

10 class="max-w-md"

11/>

12<br />

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9## Extension setup14## Extension setup

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11The Codex IDE extension works with VS Code forks like Cursor and Windsurf.16The Codex IDE extension works with VS Code forks like Cursor and Windsurf.

18- [Download for Visual Studio Code Insiders](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=openai.chatgpt)23- [Download for Visual Studio Code Insiders](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=openai.chatgpt)

19- [Download for JetBrains IDEs](#jetbrains-ide-integration)24- [Download for JetBrains IDEs](#jetbrains-ide-integration)

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21The Codex VS Code extension is available on macOS and Linux. Windows support26Codex IDE integrations for VS Code-compatible editors and JetBrains IDEs are

22is experimental. For the best Windows experience, use Codex in a WSL workspace27 available on macOS, Windows, and Linux. On Windows, run Codex natively with

23and follow our [Windows setup guide](https://developers.openai.com/codex/windows).28 the Windows sandbox, or use WSL2 when you need a Linux-native environment. For

29 setup details, see the <a href="/codex/windows">Windows setup guide</a>.

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25After you install it, you’ll find the extension in your left sidebar next to your other extensions.31After you install it, you'll find Codex in your editor sidebar.

32In 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.33If 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.35If 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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30![Codex extension](https://cdn.openai.com/devhub/docs/codex-extension.webp)37<div class="not-prose max-w-56 mr-auto">

38 <img src="https://cdn.openai.com/devhub/docs/codex-extension.webp"

39 alt="Codex extension"

40 class="block h-auto w-full mx-0!"

41 />

42</div>

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32## JetBrains IDE integration44## JetBrains IDE integration

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34If you want to use Codex in JetBrains IDEs like Rider, IntelliJ, PyCharm, or WebStorm, install the JetBrains IDE integration. It supports signing in with ChatGPT, an API key, or a JetBrains AI subscription.46If you want to use Codex in JetBrains IDEs like Rider, IntelliJ, PyCharm, or WebStorm, install the JetBrains IDE integration. It supports signing in with ChatGPT, an API key, or a JetBrains AI subscription.

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36[Install Codex for JetBrains IDEs](https://blog.jetbrains.com/ai/2026/01/codex-in-jetbrains-ides/)48<CtaPillLink

49 href="https://blog.jetbrains.com/ai/2026/01/codex-in-jetbrains-ides/"

50 label="Install Codex for JetBrains IDEs"

51 class="mt-6"

52/>

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38### Move Codex to the right sidebar54### Move Codex to the right sidebar <a id="right-sidebar"></a>

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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.56In VS Code, Codex appears in the right sidebar automatically.

57If 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:59In VS Code forks like Cursor, you may need to move Codex to the right sidebar manually.

60To 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).621. Open your editor settings and search for `activity bar` (in Workbench settings).

452. Change the orientation to `vertical`.632. 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.68Now 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.70After you move it, reset the activity bar orientation to `horizontal` to restore the default behavior.

71If you change your mind later, you can drag Codex back to the primary (left) sidebar at any time.

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54### Sign in73### 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**.85To 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.86You 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).87For a list of supported slash commands, see [Codex IDE extension slash commands](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/slash-commands).

88If you're new to Codex, read the [best practices guide](https://developers.openai.com/codex/learn/best-practices).

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70---90---

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72## Work with the Codex IDE extension92## Work with the Codex IDE extension

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74[### Prompt with editor context94<BentoContainer>

95 <BentoContent href="/codex/ide/features#prompting-codex">

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97### Prompt with editor context

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99Use open files, selections, and `@file` references to get more relevant results with shorter prompts.

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101 </BentoContent>

102 <BentoContent href="/codex/ide/features#switch-between-models">

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104### Switch models

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106Use the default model or switch to other models to leverage their respective strengths.

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108 </BentoContent>

109 <BentoContent href="/codex/ide/features#adjust-reasoning-effort">

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111### Adjust reasoning effort

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113Choose `low`, `medium`, or `high` to trade off speed and depth based on the task.

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115 </BentoContent>

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117 <BentoContent href="/codex/ide/features#image-generation">

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119### Image generation

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121Generate or edit images without leaving your editor, and use reference assets when you need iteration.

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123 </BentoContent>

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125 <BentoContent href="/codex/ide/features#choose-an-approval-mode">

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127### Choose an approval mode

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129Switch between `Chat`, `Agent`, and `Agent (Full Access)` depending on how much autonomy you want Codex to have.

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131 </BentoContent>

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133 <BentoContent href="/codex/ide/features#cloud-delegation">

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135### Delegate to the cloud

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137Offload longer jobs to a cloud environment, then monitor progress and review results without leaving your IDE.

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139 </BentoContent>

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141 <BentoContent href="/codex/ide/features#cloud-task-follow-up">

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143### Follow up on cloud work

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145Preview cloud changes, ask for follow-ups, and apply the resulting diffs locally to test and finish.

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147 </BentoContent>

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76Use open files, selections, and `@file` references to get more relevant results with shorter prompts.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/features#prompting-codex)[### Switch models149 <BentoContent href="/codex/ide/commands">

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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 effort151### IDE extension commands

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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 mode153Browse the full list of commands you can run from the command palette and bind to keyboard shortcuts.

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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 cloud155 </BentoContent>

156 <BentoContent href="/codex/ide/slash-commands">

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84Offload longer jobs to a cloud environment, then monitor progress and review results without leaving your IDE.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/features#cloud-delegation)[### Follow up on cloud work158### Slash commands

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86Preview cloud changes, ask for follow-ups, and apply the resulting diffs locally to test and finish.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/features#cloud-task-follow-up)[### IDE extension commands160Use slash commands to control how Codex behaves and quickly change common settings from chat.

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88Browse the full list of commands you can run from the command palette and bind to keyboard shortcuts.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/commands)[### Slash commands162 </BentoContent>

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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 settings164 <BentoContent href="/codex/ide/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)166### Extension settings

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94[Next168Tune Codex to your workflow with editor settings for models, approvals, and other defaults.

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96Features](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/features)170 </BentoContent>

171</BentoContainer>