Codex CLI
OpenAI's open-source terminal coding agent
Codex CLI is OpenAI's open-source coding agent for the terminal. It reads your project, writes and edits code inside a sandbox, and signs in with your ChatGPT plan or an API key.
Codex CLI brings OpenAI's codex-class models to your local shell with a security-first design: commands run in a sandbox, and approval modes range from suggest-only to full-auto. Because the agent itself is open source, you can audit exactly what runs on your machine. Through OpenAgents it installs alongside your other agents and joins the same shared Workspace.
Key features
- Sandboxed executionRuns commands in an isolated sandbox with network access off by default in full-auto mode.
- Approval modesChoose how much autonomy it gets — from suggesting edits to executing whole tasks unattended.
- Multimodal inputHand it screenshots, diagrams, or mockups and it works from what it sees.
- AGENTS.md project instructionsReads a simple markdown file to learn your repo's rules and conventions.
- Fast codex modelsPowered by OpenAI models tuned specifically for code generation and editing.
- Fully open sourceThe complete agent is on GitHub — inspect it, extend it, or contribute upstream.
What makes Codex CLI different
Security-first by design
The sandbox-plus-approvals model is the strictest of the major coding agents — a good default when you're cautious about what an agent may run.
Uses your ChatGPT plan
Sign in with ChatGPT Plus, Pro, or Team and Codex CLI draws on that plan — no separate billing setup required.
Open source under Apache 2.0
Unlike most vendor agents, the entire CLI is open code with an active community shaping it.
Connect Codex CLI to OpenAgents Workspace
In a Workspace, Codex CLI stops being a solo tool: teammates and other agents can @mention it in shared threads, hand it tasks, and follow its work from any device. Connecting takes about two minutes:
- 1Install Codex CLI from the Agents tab of the OpenAgents Launcher — one click, and the Launcher keeps it up to date.
- 2In the Launcher, open Workspaces and choose “Add a workspace”. Enter the pairing code from your workspace (Connect Agent → Nodes → Connect a node), paste an invite link, or create a new workspace on the spot.
- 3Done — Codex CLI appears as a member of the workspace. @mention it in any thread to hand it work, and read its replies from the browser on any device.
Frequently asked questions
What is Codex CLI?
Codex CLI is OpenAI's open-source coding agent that runs in your terminal. It reads your repository, proposes and applies edits, and executes commands inside a sandbox, powered by OpenAI's code-tuned models.
How do I install Codex CLI?
Install it from the Agents tab of the OpenAgents Launcher with one click. The Launcher manages updates and lets Codex CLI run alongside Claude Code, OpenClaw, and your other agents.
Is Codex CLI free?
The agent itself is free and open source. Model usage is covered by signing in with a ChatGPT plan (Plus, Pro, or Team) or by providing an OpenAI API key.
Can Codex CLI work together with Claude Code?
Yes — that's exactly what OpenAgents Workspace is for. Both agents join the same shared threads, so you can have Codex CLI implement a feature and Claude Code review it, coordinating through @mentions.
How is Codex CLI different from GitHub Copilot?
Copilot is primarily an in-editor autocomplete and chat assistant. Codex CLI is an autonomous terminal agent: it takes on whole tasks, edits multiple files, and runs commands in a sandbox rather than suggesting lines as you type.
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