ide.md Codex Docs, 2026-03-20 00:35 UTC → 2026-05-14 07:00 UTC

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5ChatGPT 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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7## Extension setup14## Extension setup

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9The 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.

16- [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)

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

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19The Codex VS Code extension is available on macOS and Linux. Windows support26Codex IDE integrations for VS Code-compatible editors and JetBrains IDEs are

20is experimental. For the best Windows experience, use Codex in a WSL workspace27 available on macOS, Windows, and Linux. On Windows, run Codex natively with

21and 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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23After 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.

24If 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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26If 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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28![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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30## JetBrains IDE integration44## JetBrains IDE integration

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32If 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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34[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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36### Move Codex to the right sidebar54### Move Codex to the right sidebar <a id="right-sidebar"></a>

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38In 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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40In 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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421. 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).

432. Change the orientation to `vertical`.632. Change the orientation to `vertical`.

48Now 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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50After 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.

51 72 

52### Sign in73### Sign in

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70 91 

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

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73[### 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">

110 

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">

118 

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">

126 

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">

134 

135### Delegate to the cloud

136 

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">

142 

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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149 <BentoContent href="/codex/ide/commands">

150 

151### IDE extension commands

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75Use open files, selections, and `@file` references to get more relevant results with shorter prompts.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/features#prompting-codex)[### Switch models153Browse the full list of commands you can run from the command palette and bind to keyboard shortcuts.

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77Use 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 effort155 </BentoContent>

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

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79Choose `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 mode158### Slash commands

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81Switch 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 cloud160Use slash commands to control how Codex behaves and quickly change common settings from chat.

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83Offload 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 work162 </BentoContent>

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85Preview 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 commands164 <BentoContent href="/codex/ide/settings">

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87Browse 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 commands166### Extension settings

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89Use slash commands to control how Codex behaves and quickly change common settings from chat.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/slash-commands)[### Extension settings168Tune Codex to your workflow with editor settings for models, approvals, and other defaults.

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91Tune Codex to your workflow with editor settings for models, approvals, and other defaults.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide/settings)170 </BentoContent>

171</BentoContainer>