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

1# Quickstart1# Quickstart

2 2 

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

4 

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.

6 4 

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.

8 6 

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.

12 

13## Setup7## Setup

14 8 

15Choose an option9The Codex app is available on macOS and Windows.

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

18 10 

19The Codex app is available on macOS (Apple Silicon).11Most Codex app features are available on both platforms. Platform-specific

12exceptions are noted in the relevant docs.

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211. Download and install the Codex app141. Download and install the Codex app

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23 The Codex app is currently only available for macOS.16 Download the Codex app for macOS or Windows. Choose the Intel build if you're using an Intel-based Mac.

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25 [Download for macOS](https://persistent.oaistatic.com/codex-app-prod/Codex.dmg)18 [Download for macOS (Apple Silicon)](https://persistent.oaistatic.com/codex-app-prod/Codex.dmg)[Download for macOS (Intel)](https://persistent.oaistatic.com/codex-app-prod/Codex-latest-x64.dmg)

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27 [Get notified for Windows and Linux](https://openai.com/form/codex-app/)20 Need a different operating system?

21 

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

23 

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

282. Open Codex and sign in252. Open Codex and sign in

29 26 

30 Once you downloaded and installed the Codex app, open it and sign in with your ChatGPT account or an OpenAI API key.27 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:39 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.Copied41- Tell me about this project

42- Build a classic Snake game in this repo.

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

46 44 

47 If you need more inspiration, check out the [explore section](https://developers.openai.com/codex/explore).45 If you need more inspiration, explore [Codex use cases](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases).

48 46 If you’re new to Codex, read the [best practices guide](https://developers.openai.com/codex/learn/best-practices).

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

50 47 

51Install the Codex extension for your IDE.48Install the Codex extension for your IDE.

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67 64 

68 Codex starts in Agent mode by default, which lets it read files, run commands, and write changes in your project directory.65 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.Copied67- Tell me about this project

68- Build a classic Snake game in this repo.

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

714. Use Git checkpoints704. 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.72 Codex can modify your codebase, so consider creating Git checkpoints before and after each task so you can easily revert changes if needed.

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

74 74 

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

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96 96 

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

98 98 

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.Copied99- Tell me about this project

100- Build a classic Snake game in this repo.

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

1004. Use Git checkpoints1024. Use Git checkpoints

101 103 

102 Codex can modify your codebase, so consider creating Git checkpoints before and after each task so you can easily revert changes if needed.104 Codex can modify your codebase, so consider creating Git checkpoints before and after each task so you can easily revert changes if needed.

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

103 106 

104[Learn more about the Codex CLI](https://developers.openai.com/codex/cli)107[Learn more about the Codex CLI](https://developers.openai.com/codex/cli)

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115 118 

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.119 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.

117 120 

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.Copied121- Tell me about this project

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

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

1194. Review changes and create a pull request1244. Review changes and create a pull request

120 125 

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.126 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.

128 ```133 ```

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130 [Learn more about Codex cloud](https://developers.openai.com/codex/cloud)135 [Learn more about Codex cloud](https://developers.openai.com/codex/cloud)

136 

137## Next steps

138 

139[Learn more about the Codex app

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141Use the Codex app to work with your local projects.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app)

142[Migrate to Codex

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144 Move supported instruction files, MCP server configuration, skills, and

145subagents into Codex.](https://developers.openai.com/codex/migrate)