In a recent update, OpenAI has enhanced its Codex desktop application to include functionalities such as computer use, an integrated browser, image generation capabilities, and more than 90 new plugins. This marks the latest development almost one year after Codex’s initial launch, with over 3 million developers now engaging with it weekly.
OpenAI envisions Codex becoming a tool for nearly all developer tasks. It can operate applications on Macs, integrate with various tools, generate images, learn from past actions, adapt to user preferences, and handle repetitive tasks efficiently. These advancements are particularly beneficial for frontend development, app testing, and workflows that lack API access.
Codex’s new background computer usage allows it to monitor screens, manipulate cursors, and interact within any Mac application without interrupting other activities. An in-app browser enables direct page commenting for precise agent instructions, primarily targeting frontend and game development initially, with broader browser control planned for the future. Image generation is streamlined into existing workflows using gpt-image-1.5, requiring no API key, and covered by a ChatGPT account.
The app now boasts over 90 new plugins, integrating services like Atlassian Rovo, CircleCI, CodeRabbit, GitLab Issues, Microsoft Suite, and Neon by Databricks. These enhancements facilitate broader access to developers’ toolsets.
On the workflow front, Codex supports multiple terminal tabs, GitHub pull request comment management, SSH connections to remote dev environments (currently in alpha), and a summary pane for tracking agent activities. Files open directly in the sidebar with previews for various document types.
OpenAI aims for a quality level traditionally achieved through detailed custom instructions. A new proactive mode leverages context from connected plugins and active projects to suggest work start points or task resumptions, compiling Google Docs comments, Slack threads, Notion pages, and codebase information into prioritized action lists.
These features echo the open-source agent framework OpenClaw, which gained popularity early in 2026. Austrian developer Peter Steinberger created OpenClaw to facilitate persistent local agents interacting with messaging apps, files, browsers, and shell commands. It quickly amassed significant attention and comparisons to a personal AI operating system.
Following OpenClaw’s surge, Steinberger joined OpenAI in February after outreach from leaders like Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg, and Satya Nadella. The project transitioned to an open-source foundation with OpenAI as a financial sponsor. Prior to this, Anthropic had issued a trademark complaint over “Clawdbot,” leading to rebranding efforts that expedited Steinberger’s move to OpenAI.
Anthropic offers Claude Code, a similar tool for terminal-based coding assistance, capable of reading and editing entire codebases, running tests, and committing changes. It also introduced a computer use feature in March as a research preview on macOS for its Pro and Max subscribers.
OpenAI’s Codex integrates these capabilities into a single desktop app linked to a ChatGPT account. OpenAI describes this evolution as bridging the gap between imagination and creation.
The update is available today for Codex desktop users with a ChatGPT login, though personalization features and computer use are not yet accessible in the EU or UK.