use-cases/complete-tasks-from-messages.md +131 −0 added
1# Complete tasks from messages | Codex use cases
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3Codex use cases
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9Codex use case
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11# Complete tasks from messages
12
13Turn iMessage threads into completed work across the apps involved.
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15Difficulty **Easy**
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17Time horizon **5m**
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19Use Computer Use to read one Messages thread, complete the task, and draft a reply.
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21## Best for
22
23 - Message threads that contain a concrete request, follow-up, or booking task
24 - Work that needs a quick check across Messages plus a few related apps
25
26# Contents
27
28[← All use cases](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases)
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30Copy page [Export as PDF](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases/complete-tasks-from-messages/?export=pdf)
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32Use Computer Use to read one Messages thread, complete the task, and draft a reply.
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34Easy
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365m
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38Related links
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40[Computer Use](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/computer-use) [Customize Codex](https://developers.openai.com/codex/concepts/customization)
41
42## Best for
43
44 - Message threads that contain a concrete request, follow-up, or booking task
45 - Work that needs a quick check across Messages plus a few related apps
46
47## Starter prompt
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49 @Computer Use Look at my messages from [person].
50 Then:
51 - understand the request
52 - complete the task across the apps involved
53 - draft a reply in the same thread
54Pause before anything irreversible, such as placing an order or confirming a booking.
55
56[Open in the Codex app](codex://new?prompt=%40Computer+Use+Look+at+my+messages+from+%5Bperson%5D.%0A%0AThen%3A%0A-+understand+the+request%0A-+complete+the+task+across+the+apps+involved%0A-+draft+a+reply+in+the+same+thread%0A%0APause+before+anything+irreversible%2C+such+as+placing+an+order+or+confirming+a+booking. "Open in the Codex app")
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58 @Computer Use Look at my messages from [person].
59 Then:
60 - understand the request
61 - complete the task across the apps involved
62 - draft a reply in the same thread
63Pause before anything irreversible, such as placing an order or confirming a booking.
64
65## Introduction
66
67Many message threads contain hidden to-dos: book dinner, schedule a follow-up, research options, submit a receipt, or pull together information for a reply. Computer Use can help by reading the thread, identifying the task, and completing the work across the apps involved.
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69This is a good fit when the message contains a concrete request and you want Codex to handle the follow-through, not just summarize the thread.
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71## How to use
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731. Install the [Computer Use plugin](https://developers.openai.com/codex/app/computer-use).
742. Ask Codex to review a specific message thread or sender.
753. Tell it what action to take and whether it should pause before completing anything.
764. Specify whether it should draft a reply in the original thread.
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78For example:
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80- `@Computer Use Look at my messages from [person]. Check my availability, find 2 dinner options in Hayes Valley, and draft a reply in the same thread. Check in with me before completing booking.`
81
82## Practical tips
83
84### Ask for a pause before irreversible actions
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86If the task might send money, submit an order, confirm a booking, or finalize a schedule, tell Codex to stop and ask before taking that last step.
87
88### Make sure the supporting apps are ready
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90This works best when the related apps are already signed in and available. If the task depends on Maps, Calendar, Notes, a reservation site, or a browser session, prepare those ahead of time.
91
92### Expect the thread to be marked as read
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94When Codex opens the thread in Messages, it will behave like a normal user viewing the conversation. Treat that as a read.
95
96## Good follow-ups
97
98This same pattern can work for other inbox-style surfaces too, such as Slack or email, when the work starts from a message and finishes somewhere else. If the workflow becomes common, add a reusable preference or instruction in [customization](https://developers.openai.com/codex/concepts/customization) so Codex handles those requests the same way every time.
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100### Suggested prompt
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102**Finish One Task From a Message Thread**
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104 @Computer Use Look at my messages from [person].
105 Then:
106 - understand the request
107 - complete the task across the apps involved
108 - draft a reply in the same thread
109Pause before anything irreversible, such as placing an order or confirming a booking.
110
111## Related use cases
112
113[
114
115### Coordinate new-hire onboarding
116
117Use Codex to gather approved new-hire context, stage tracker updates, draft team-by-team...
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119Integrations Data](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases/new-hire-onboarding)[
120
121### Generate slide decks
122
123Use Codex to update existing presentations or build new decks by editing slides directly...
124
125Data Integrations](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases/generate-slide-decks)[
126
127### Turn feedback into actions
128
129Connect Codex to multiple data sources such as Slack, GitHub, Linear, or Google Drive to...
130
131Data Integrations](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases/feedback-synthesis)