quickstart.md Codex Docs, 2026-02-19 20:37 UTC → 2026-04-16 00:46 UTC

1# Quickstart1# Quickstart

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3Start using Codex in your IDE, CLI, or the cloud3Every ChatGPT plan includes Codex.

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5ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, Edu, and Enterprise plans include Codex. Using Codex with your ChatGPT subscription gives you access to the latest Codex models and features.

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7You can also use Codex with API credits by signing in with an OpenAI API key.5You can also use Codex with API credits by signing in with an OpenAI API key.

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9For a limited time, **try Codex for free in ChatGPT Free and Go**, or enjoy

10**2x Codex rate limits** with Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise

11subscriptions.

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13## Setup7## Setup

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15Choose an option

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17AppRecommended (macOS only)IDE extensionCodex in your IDECLICodex in your terminalCloudCodex in your browser

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19The Codex app is available on macOS (Apple Silicon).9The Codex app is available on macOS (Apple Silicon).

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211. Download and install the Codex app111. Download and install the Codex app

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23 The Codex app is currently only available for macOS.13 Download the Codex app for Windows or macOS.

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25 [Download for macOS](https://persistent.oaistatic.com/codex-app-prod/Codex.dmg)15 [Download for macOS](https://persistent.oaistatic.com/codex-app-prod/Codex.dmg)

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27 [Get notified for Windows and Linux](https://openai.com/form/codex-app/)17 Need a different operating system?

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19 [Download for Windows](https://get.microsoft.com/installer/download/9PLM9XGG6VKS?cid=website_cta_psi)

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21 [Get notified for Linux](https://openai.com/form/codex-app/)

282. Open Codex and sign in222. Open Codex and sign in

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30 Once you downloaded and installed the Codex app, open it and sign in with your ChatGPT account or an OpenAI API key.24 Once you downloaded and installed the Codex app, open it and sign in with your ChatGPT account or an OpenAI API key.

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43 You can ask Codex anything about the project or your computer in general. Here are some examples:36 You can ask Codex anything about the project or your computer in general. Here are some examples:

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45 ![](https://developers.openai.com/codex/colorcons/brain.png)Tell me about this projectCopied![](https://developers.openai.com/codex/colorcons/gamepad.png)Build a classic Snake game in this repo.Copied![](https://developers.openai.com/codex/colorcons/search.png)Find and fix bugs in my codebase with minimal, high-confidence changes.Copied38- Tell me about this project

39- Build a classic Snake game in this repo.

40- Find and fix bugs in my codebase with minimal, high-confidence changes.

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47 If you need more inspiration, check out the [explore section](https://developers.openai.com/codex/explore).42 If you need more inspiration, explore [Codex use cases](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases).

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

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49 [Learn more about the Codex app](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app)45 [Learn more about the Codex app](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app)

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68 Codex starts in Agent mode by default, which lets it read files, run commands, and write changes in your project directory.64 Codex starts in Agent mode by default, which lets it read files, run commands, and write changes in your project directory.

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70 ![](https://developers.openai.com/codex/colorcons/brain.png)Tell me about this projectCopied![](https://developers.openai.com/codex/colorcons/gamepad.png)Build a classic Snake game in this repo.Copied![](https://developers.openai.com/codex/colorcons/search.png)Find and fix bugs in my codebase with minimal, high-confidence changes.Copied66- Tell me about this project

67- Build a classic Snake game in this repo.

68- Find and fix bugs in my codebase with minimal, high-confidence changes.

714. Use Git checkpoints694. Use Git checkpoints

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73 Codex can modify your codebase, so consider creating Git checkpoints before and after each task so you can easily revert changes if needed.71 Codex can modify your codebase, so consider creating Git checkpoints before and after each task so you can easily revert changes if needed.

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

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75 [Learn more about the Codex IDE extension](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide)74 [Learn more about the Codex IDE extension](https://developers.openai.com/codex/ide)

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97 Once authenticated, you can ask Codex to perform tasks in the current directory.96 Once authenticated, you can ask Codex to perform tasks in the current directory.

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99 ![](https://developers.openai.com/codex/colorcons/brain.png)Tell me about this projectCopied![](https://developers.openai.com/codex/colorcons/gamepad.png)Build a classic Snake game in this repo.Copied![](https://developers.openai.com/codex/colorcons/search.png)Find and fix bugs in my codebase with minimal, high-confidence changes.Copied98- Tell me about this project

99- Build a classic Snake game in this repo.

100- Find and fix bugs in my codebase with minimal, high-confidence changes.

1004. Use Git checkpoints1014. Use Git checkpoints

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102 Codex can modify your codebase, so consider creating Git checkpoints before and after each task so you can easily revert changes if needed.103 Codex can modify your codebase, so consider creating Git checkpoints before and after each task so you can easily revert changes if needed.

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

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104[Learn more about the Codex CLI](https://developers.openai.com/codex/cli)106[Learn more about the Codex CLI](https://developers.openai.com/codex/cli)

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116 Once your environment is ready, launch coding tasks from the [Codex interface](https://chatgpt.com/codex). You can monitor progress in real time by viewing logs, or let tasks run in the background.118 Once your environment is ready, launch coding tasks from the [Codex interface](https://chatgpt.com/codex). You can monitor progress in real time by viewing logs, or let tasks run in the background.

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118 ![](https://developers.openai.com/codex/colorcons/brain.png)Tell me about this projectCopied![](https://developers.openai.com/codex/colorcons/brain.png)Explain the top failure modes of my application's architecture.Copied![](https://developers.openai.com/codex/colorcons/search.png)Find and fix bugs in my codebase with minimal, high-confidence changes.Copied120- Tell me about this project

121- Explain the top failure modes of my application's architecture.

122- Find and fix bugs in my codebase with minimal, high-confidence changes.

1194. Review changes and create a pull request1234. Review changes and create a pull request

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121 When a task completes, review the proposed changes in the diff view. You can iterate on the results or create a pull request directly in your GitHub repository.125 When a task completes, review the proposed changes in the diff view. You can iterate on the results or create a pull request directly in your GitHub repository.