Codex CLI
Inspect,edit, and run code from your terminal
Inspect code, make changes, run commands, and automate repeatable work without leaving your terminal.
$ codex
╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────╮ │ >_ OpenAI Codex │ │ │ │ model: gpt-5.6-sol medium /model to change │ │ directory: ~/code │ ╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────╯ To get started, describe a task or try one of these commands: /init - create an AGENTS.md file with instructions for Codex /status - show current session configuration /permissions - choose what Codex is allowed to do /model - choose the model and reasoning effort /review - review changes and find issues
› Refactor the Dashboard component to React Hooks
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Work against your local repository
Let Codex inspect files, make edits, and run the tools already installed on your machine.
Stay in control
Choose the model, reasoning effort, permissions, and commands that fit the task.
Compose with scripts and CI
Use Codex interactively or call codex exec from repeatable workflows and pipelines.
Quickstart
Getting started
Install Codex, sign in, and run your first task from a project directory.
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Install Codex
Choose one of these install methods: Install the Codex CLI with the standalone installer for macOS and Linux. Install: Update: Install the Codex CLI with the standalone installer for Windows. Install: Update: You can also install the Codex CLI with npm. Install: Update: You can also install the Codex CLI with Homebrew. Install: Update:
Install Codex -
Run Codex and sign in
Open a project directory and run codex . The first time you run Codex, choose Sign in with ChatGPT or another available sign-in method.
Review authentication options -
Start your first task
Describe what you want to accomplish. For example, ask Codex to explain the project, make a focused change, or help debug an issue. Create Git checkpoints before and after a task so you can revert changes. See the best practices .
best practices
See what Codex CLI can do
Use one focused terminal loop for interactive work, automation, review, and delegation.
Keep the coding loop in your terminal
Start Codex in a repository to explore unfamiliar code, plan a change, edit files, and run your local development tools. Steer the active turn, inspect commands and diffs as they appear, and keep follow-up work in the same session.
Keep the coding loop in your terminalUse skills and plugins
Package repeatable instructions as skills, then add plugins to connect Codex to your team's tools and data without leaving the CLI.
Use skills and pluginsReview changes before they ship
Run a dedicated review against uncommitted changes, a commit, or a base branch. Codex reports prioritized findings without modifying your working tree, so you can address risks before you commit or open a pull request.
Review changes before they shipBuild a terminal workflow around Codex
Learn about the CLI features you can use to resume sessions, add visual and web context, split up complex work, and connect Codex to your development tools.
Return to a saved chat
Reopen a recent chat from the current repository, or search across local chats when you need to return to older work.
Bring visual context into the prompt
Pass an error screenshot, architecture diagram, or design reference with the first prompt, or paste an image into the interactive composer.
Split up a larger investigation
Ask Codex to delegate focused work to specialized agents, then bring their findings back into the main terminal session.
Search for current context
Switch a run to live web search when a task depends on current releases, documentation, or external behavior. Search activity stays visible in the transcript.
Move work to Codex cloud
Browse active and completed chats, submit work to a configured environment, and apply the result to your local repository from the terminal.
Connect external tools with MCP
Add local or remote MCP servers, authenticate when needed, and inspect the tools available to the current session before Codex uses them.
Set the boundaries for each run
Choose when Codex can edit files or run commands without asking, and inspect the active sandbox and writable roots before you continue.
Fit Codex to your terminal
Generate completions for your shell, choose a syntax theme, and open longer prompts in the editor configured by VISUAL or EDITOR.
Use Codex CLI when…
- You work from the terminal
- Explore, edit, and run a repository in one focused loop.
- You need scripting or CI
- Run a non-interactive command in a repeatable workflow.
- You want a local code review
- Inspect changes before you commit or open a pull request.
- You want to hand work to the cloud
- Launch a cloud chat and return to the terminal later.