OpenAI has released a desktop application for macOS that transforms its Codex AI coding system into what the company calls a command center for managing multiple autonomous coding agents. The app allows developers to delegate multiple coding tasks simultaneously and supervise AI systems that can run independently for extended periods.
The Codex app introduces several new capabilities beyond simple code generation. Skills bundle instructions and scripts so Codex can connect to tools like Figma, Linear, and cloud hosting platforms. Automations let developers schedule Codex to work in the background on repetitive tasks like issue triage and CI failure summaries. The app includes built-in support for worktrees, allowing multiple agents to work on the same repository without conflicts.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reports completing a substantial coding project without opening a traditional integrated development environment. He describes how AI coding agents excel at unglamorous maintenance work that human engineers typically avoid, noting that models do not experience motivational fluctuations. According to OpenAI, Codex usage has nearly doubled since the launch of GPT-5.2-Codex in mid-December, with more than one million developers using the tool in the past month.
The app uses system-level sandboxing to limit security risks. By default, agents can only edit files in their working folder and must request permission for elevated operations like network access. OpenAI is temporarily making Codex available to free tier users and doubling rate limits for paid subscribers. The company plans to release a Windows version and expand automation capabilities with cloud-based triggers.
Sources: OpenAI, VentureBeat, ZDNet
