OpenAI Codex App: Complete Guide to the New Multi-Agent Coding Desktop
Codex App, OpenAI's multi-agent coding desktop application, launched as a new macOS app yesterday (February 2, 2026). Here's everything you need to know — from installation to advanced automations.
What is the OpenAI Codex App?
Codex App the Codex App is OpenAI's new macOS desktop application designed specifically for working with multiple AI coding agents. Unlike the existing Codex CLI and IDE extensions, the app provides a dedicated interface to manage multiple agents in parallel, supervise long-running tasks, and orchestrate complex projects.
The Codex App is OpenAI's desktop coding assistant that lets developers build software with AI agents. As Sam Altman puts it: "You can use this from a clean sheet of paper, brand new, to make a really quite sophisticated piece of software in a few hours. As fast as I can type in new ideas, that is the limit of what can get built."
Why a Desktop App?
The way developers work with AI agents has fundamentally changed. Models are now capable of handling complex, long-running tasks end to end. Developers are now orchestrating multiple agents across projects: delegating work, running tasks in parallel, and trusting agents to take on substantial projects that can span hours, days, or weeks.
The core challenge has shifted from what agents can do to how people can direct, supervise, and collaborate with them at scale. Existing IDEs and terminal-based tools aren't built to support this way of working.
Availability and Pricing
| Plan | Codex Access | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT Free/Go | ✅ Available | Temporarily included for limited time |
| Plus | ✅ Included | Rate limits doubled |
| Pro | ✅ Included | Rate limits doubled |
| Business | ✅ Included | Rate limits doubled |
| Enterprise | ✅ Included | Rate limits doubled |
| Edu | ✅ Included | Rate limits doubled |
Download: The app is available at openai.com/codex.
Platforms: Currently macOS only. A Windows version is in development.
Installation and Getting Started
1. Download the App
- Codex App Go to openai.com/codex
- Download the macOS app
- Install by dragging to the Applications folder
- Launch and sign in with your ChatGPT account
2. Seamless Integration
A major advantage: The app automatically picks up your session history and configuration from the Codex App CLI and IDE extension. You can immediately start working with your existing projects.
3. Authentication
You can use Codex in two ways:
- ChatGPT Login (recommended): Uses your Plus, Pro, Team, Edu, or Enterprise subscription
- API Key: For developers who need programmatic access (requires additional setup)
Key Features
1. Multi-Agent Command Center
The Codex App is a command center for agents. Codex App You can:
- Run multiple agents in parallel — each in a separate thread, organized by project
- Switch between tasks without losing context
- Review changes in the thread, comment on diffs, and open directly in your editor
2. Worktrees for Conflict-Free Work
Built-in worktree support means multiple agents can work on the same repository without conflicts. Each agent works on an isolated copy of your code.
Workflow example:
Agent 1: Auth module refactoring → worktree/auth-refactor
Agent 2: New API endpoints → worktree/api-endpoints
Agent 3: Bug fixes → worktree/bugfixes
→ All working in parallel, no Git chaos
You can:
- Check out changes locally
- Or let the agent continue making progress without touching your local Git state
3. Skills: Extending OpenAI Codex App
Skills are folders containing instructions, resources, and scripts that Codex can use to reliably complete specific tasks. They enable Codex to go beyond pure code generation.
Pre-installed Skills (Selection)
| Skill | Function |
|---|---|
| Figma Integration | Fetch design context and assets from Figma, translate to production-ready UI code |
| Linear Integration | Bug triage, release tracking, team workload management |
| Cloud Deployment | Deploy directly to Cloudflare, Netlify, Render, or Vercel |
| Image Generation | Create images with GPT Image for websites, UI mockups, game assets |
| OpenAI Docs | Access up-to-date OpenAI API documentation while developing |
| Document Creation | Create and edit PDF, spreadsheet, and DOCX files |
Creating Custom Skills
Skills are automatically recognized everywhere you use Codex — in the app, CLI, or IDE. You can also check skills into your repository to share them with your entire team.
# Install a skill (example)
$skill-installer gh-address-comments
# Skill from experimental folder
$skill-installer install https://github.com/openai/skills/tree/main/skills/.experimental/create-plan
Skills Repository: github.com/openai/skills
4. Automations: Background Work
With Automations, you can let Codex work in the background on an automatic schedule. When an automation finishes, the results land in a review queue.
Typical automation use cases at OpenAI:
- Daily issue triage
- Finding and summarizing CI failures
- Generating daily release briefs
- Running bug checks
- Alert monitoring
Setting up an Automation:
- Define instructions + optional skills
- Set a schedule
- Let Codex work
- Review results when done
5. Personalities: Your Working Style
Developers have different preferences. Codex now offers two personality modes:
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Pragmatic | Short, execution-focused, minimal explanations |
| Empathetic | More communicative, explanatory, friendly tone |
Switch with the /personality command — works in app, CLI, and IDE.
Security Model
The Codex App uses native, configurable system-level sandboxing (Open Source: github.com/openai/codex).
Default Restrictions
- Agents can only edit files in the current project folder/branch
- Only cached web search allowed
- Commands with elevated permissions (e.g., network access) require approval
Configurable Permission Levels
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Untrusted | Maximum restrictions |
| On failure | Ask when something fails |
| On request | Ask when elevated permissions needed |
| Never | App may never ask for elevated permissions |
You can define rules for your project or team that allow certain commands to automatically run with elevated permissions.
Practical Example: A Racing Game from One Prompt
OpenAI demonstrated what's possible: A complete racing game — with different racers, eight maps, and items — was created with just one initial prompt.
The agent used:
- Image Generation Skill (powered by GPT Image)
- Web Game Development Skill
Statistics:
- Over 7 million tokens processed
- Agent took on roles of designer, game developer, and QA tester
- Validated work by actually playing the game
Where OpenAI Codex App Works Everywhere
The Codex App is part of an ecosystem — you can switch between different surfaces, and Codex maintains context:
| Surface | Description |
|---|---|
| Codex App | Command center for multi-agent workflows |
| Codex CLI | Terminal-based work |
| IDE Extension | VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, JetBrains IDEs |
| Codex Web | Cloud-based at chatgpt.com/codex |
All connected through your ChatGPT account.
OpenAI Codex App vs Claude Code: Key Differences
| Aspect | Codex App | Claude Code |
|---|---|---|
| Model | GPT-5.2-Codex | Claude Opus 4.5 |
| Interface | Desktop App, CLI, IDE, Web | Desktop App (Code Cowork), CLI |
| Multi-Agent | ✅ Native design | ✅ Via worktrees |
| Skills | Open-source skills ecosystem | Integrated skills system |
| Automations | ✅ Built-in | ❌ Not native |
| Pricing | Included in ChatGPT subscription | Separate billing |
| Open Source CLI | ✅ github.com/openai/codex | ✅ Via npm |
What's Coming Next?
OpenAI has outlined the roadmap:
- Windows version — In development
- Better model capabilities — Continuous improvements
- Faster inference — Performance optimizations
- Cloud-based triggers — Automations run continuously, not just when your computer is open
- Improved multi-agent workflows — Based on real-world feedback
Usage numbers (as of February 2026):
- Over 1 million developers using Codex
- Usage has doubled since GPT-5.2-Codex launch
- Enterprise customers: Cisco, Ramp, Virgin Atlantic, Vanta, Duolingo, Gap
OpenAI Codex App: Conclusion: Is It Worth Switching?
The Codex App represents a fundamental shift: from the pair-programming metaphor (one agent, one task) to orchestrating agent teams across the entire software lifecycle.
Who is the Codex App ideal for?
- Teams wanting to coordinate multiple agents in parallel
- Developers with long-term refactoring or migration projects
- Companies wanting automated code reviews and CI workflows
Who should wait?
- Developers who only occasionally need AI assistance
- Teams already deeply invested in Claude Code
- Windows users (until the Windows version releases)
The temporary availability for Free/Go users and doubled rate limits make now the perfect time to try the Codex App.
This article was published on February 3, 2026, one day after the Codex App launch. Information is based on the official OpenAI announcement, technical documentation, and coverage from TechCrunch, Ars Technica, ZDNet, and other sources.