OpenAI Introduces Codex: A New AI Coding Agent in ChatGPT

OpenAI has introduced Codex, a new AI coding agent integrated into ChatGPT, designed to assist with tasks such as writing code, fixing bugs, running tests, and providing support for users' codebases.

Image credit: OpenAI

This tool is available to ChatGPT Pro, Team, and Enterprise users. Codex is based on the codex-1 model, derived from OpenAI's o3 reasoning model, and is optimized for software engineering.

According to OpenAI, Codex operates independently in the cloud, delivering results within 30 minutes, and offers superior code style inference and review capabilities.

The company plans to refine Codex during the research phase by collecting user feedback to ensure responsible use and performance improvements. As they shared on the official blog post:

Codex is still early in its development. As a research preview, it currently lacks features like image inputs for frontend work, and the ability to course-correct the agent while it's working. 

Not just the one cloud-based Codex, OpenAI has launched Codex CLI, an open-source coding agent that runs locally in the terminal. Codex CLI integrates OpenAI’s models with the client’s command-line interface (CLI) used to run programs, manage files, and more.

It is powered by OpenAI’s latest o4-mini model by default, with users able to choose their preferred AI via the Responses API option.

While the AI coding agent can run on macOS and Linux systems, Windows support is still in the experimental stage and might require users to set up Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

OpenAI's introduction of Codex reflects its broader strategic focus on AI’s role in software engineering and is seen as a critical step toward achieving artificial general intelligence.

The company is also reportedly in talks to acquire AI startup Windsurf for $3 billion, indicating its commitment to expanding its capabilities in the AI coding sector.